GNCB Traveling Engineers

Many members of the GNCB team enjoy traveling nationally and internationally. The cause of each member’s wanderlust varies from the joy of long motorcycle rides, to the desire to learn about different cultures, to the love of international food. However different our trips are, we all find joy in seeing historic landmarks and new construction in the places we visit.

TRIP TO FRANCE: A LIFETIME ADVENTURE WITH OUR TEENAGE GRANDSON

My wife, Arlene, and I fulfilled one of our desires: to experience a trip of a lifetime with our 14-year old grandson Ryan. Ryan actually pinpointed the destination; his recent studies of world history intrigued him to the point of wanting to see the historic World War II Normandy landing areas, and of course to see the many iconic sights of a large European city far from his home in Swampscott, MA.  We got up our courage to explore France despite the COVID roadblocks that kept us trapped for the past 2 years.  Our trip started with an overnight flight to Paris on April 14/15, 2022, and ended with the return trip on April 23^rd.

We were picked up by a driver, once clearing all the airport agencies, and drove northwest of Paris for our first few days in Normandy. What first got our attention were the many large open fields of neon yellow, which we discovered was the soon to be harvested canola crop. Our first stop was in Bayeau, to the small Hotel d’Argouges, which was just the right setting to get us in the mood for France.  The next few days we spent visiting the historic Normandy World War II places: Omaha and Utah Beaches, American Cemetery, small town churches, the walled city of St. Malo, and Mont St. Michel (a World Heritage site since 1979). The private guide that we had for three days gave us much insight to the historic nature and happenings that occurred during WW II, from the mass troop landings to the 100 ft. cliffs scaled by paratroopers at Omaha Beach, the small churches with artful colorful stained glass windows that depicted the war and the old and new cemetery graves of the deceased.  Mont St. Michel, near the border of Brittany and Normandy, was built in the 9^th century on a tidal island of granite outcrops, which were the only remnants that protruded from the bay following an enormous tidal wave in the 7^th century. Over the years, the abbey and church setting has served as the pilgrimage site for many religious happenings, and also as fortification strongholds during the years historic battles.

Our visit to Paris covered the many sights we are all aware of. The first day, we took a 6 mile walk that covered both banks of the Seine River from the Louvre, down the Champs de Elysée to Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and ending at our Hotel Le Littre near the large central Paris train station. The next four days we traveled far and wide: Musee D’Orsay, a Jewish tour in La Marais that started at Notre Dame (to check out its restoration scheduled to be completed for the 2024 Paris summer Olympics), a trip to the  summit of Eiffel Tower (the Tower is being painted in preparation for the Olympics), the underground Catacombs, a train ride and all-day Fat Tire Bike ride through the Versailles Palace and sprawling grounds, and ending with the underground Sewer Tour and of course what visit to Paris would not be complete without a Chocolate and Pastry tour within the Old City! The sights were magnificent, particularly from the summit of the Eiffel Tower, and met our expectations in all respect. We, at least most of us, tried new eats, from crepes, to foie gras, to escargot. 

We all agreed that at the trip end, we had experienced a lifetime adventure that we will remember for years to come. 

Au revoir, David, Arlene, and Ryan Freed  

Normandy Photos