June 28 - Reims

Today was mainly a travel day. On our way to Paris we stopped at Reims. We were able to see the building and the table and room where Eisenhower accepted the surrender.

There was so much history in that room! The walls were covered with maps of the fighting and occupied areas. The table was simple but massive.

The museum had a considerable amount of memorabilia and a film chronicling the signing. We found a newspaper on the wall announcing the surrender: The Columbus Dispatch!

something that has been very apparent both yesterday and today is how important it is for the citizens to remember and commemorate.

Afterwards we ate our lunch on the grounds of the Notre Dame Cathedral of Reims. It is also a beautiful cathedral with wonderful architecture. I can't wait until we see Notre Dame in Paris!!

Upon leaving Reims, we traveled the beautiful countryside to Paris. It is so green, and the pine trees are so tall!

Arriving in Paris was surreal. We were driving along, and all of a sudden in the distance was the Eiffel Tower (and it wasn't Kings Island)!

We got to the hotel in time to check in and then head off to dinner in Montmarte. We ate not too far from Sacre Couer Church. We could see it from the restaurant.

We were in for a treat at the restaurant: the staff prepared frog legs and escargot for us to try. I think that's been a special of this experience. We've been able able to experience the local fare, from waffles in Belgium to home-made cheese in Holland and escargot in Paris.

I thought the drivers were scary in Belgium, but they can't compare with the drivers in Paris. They have no fear. And to complicate matters the scooters constantly zip in and out of traffic.

On our walk back to the bus after dinner we saw a van hit a pole and tear off part of the bumper because the driver was trying to fit it in an area the was too small.

I can't believe we're in Paris!