Normandy

I took a quick weekend trip to Normandy where I stepped into a world of history I never before understood or even knew about really. They call it D-day; June 6 1944. The day then allied forces composed of Americans, French, British and Canadian troop boated across the English channel to the heavily fortressed beaches of Northern France. The Germans had occupies those beaches for years and therefore had built up massive bunkers and bases to counter any invasion. The amount of destruction that took place on that day and the days that followed is horrifying. I went to every memorial imaginable as I was traveling with two WWII-savvy men. They took me everywhere and told me every story. Walking on those beaches was a reverencing experience.

I was able to walk around the massive plot of land above the beach where 10,000 marble white crosses are planted into the ground, row by row, marking the graves of the deceased americans.

Look how much respect I have for these sights. I even hugged the giant rusty gun.

I feel like this experience opened my mind to what was done to maintain what we call freedom in our part of the world. I have a greater appreciation for the liberties I enjoy. I believe everyone should have some sort of grasp on the magnitude of the events that transpired in WWII. I am not avid about history, in fact I don't find much interest in knowing dates and places. But I do now feel the need to know about events.

I am going to Spain and Italy next week. That will be the greatest of all the adventures I think.

Until then,

Johnny

Into the Tuscan Adventures--Italy

The Internship is going well. Many new things everyday. The FEMA head administrator comes Monday the 15th so we are doing a lot of planning for that. NATO truly is a complex organization full of many powerful tools.

My five day sojourn to Italy started on Tuesday night when I took a train an hour south to a city called Charleroi. I arrived at the house of Frank, a 50 year old man who I met on the Couch Surfing Network. This man lives in a very big, old house. He was born in that house and has lived there his entire life. He welcomed me with such warmth, I thought I was in Mexico again. He told me that he had invited some friends over to partake of a fun night with the American traveler. His two friends arrived, they were young; perhaps 25-30 years old. They came in and anxiously shook my hand and then both friends took the occasion to brandish the expensive Belgian Beer that had brought over to share with me....I thanked them and simply insisted that they drink my share and that I'd be fine with berry flavored water.

Frank Proceeded to make grilled shrimp in cream sauce and a smorgasbord of other tasty classics from Belgium. His friend showed me video after video of French singers and I loved every moment.]







The Next morning Frank graciously drove me to the airport at 5:15 am where I flew to Rome. I met up with my friend Danielle who has been there for 6 months and knows the city well. We zoomed off and saw in 3hours what it usually takes tourists 2 days to see.








When I lost Danielle as my tour guide I wondered off on my own and found this garden trail that looked over a part of the city. I sat there and took in the beauty of ancient Rome.

The Next day I visited the Vatican and loved seeing the root of the church I had learned so much about in Mexico during about my mission. The place is truly a beautiful piece of art.


That night I got on a Train and headed to Florence. There's a girl named Gaby who I met on my mission. She goes to school in Florence and I've been writing her since I got home last August. We met up in Florence on Thursday night. After not talking in person for over a year (and having never spoken English to one another) we broke the awkward ice and started hanging out. She showed me the beautiful town and all the wonderful secrets therein. Before the visit was up we both realized that we had a connection more than just pen pals. If you're wondering what that means, it means she's now my girlfriend. It took us a a day or two figure out that that is where it was going and we shared some beautiful time together in that beautiful city.



I never thought I giant rock figure shaped like a naked man could be so breath taking. But it is.


This Clown's name is Jimmy Thunder. He's the Brother of a Truck Driving Stocker from New Hampshire.I think this is the most beautiful city I've ever seen in my life.
I returned back to Brussels having felt like I really lived a wild dream/fairy tale. I'm back here for some more work at NATO before I head out the door for Spain (and a little more Italy...just because it's nice) at the end of the month.


Hope everyone is doing well. I would like anyone who reads this to leave a comment below telling me how you are and/or what's new. Or just email me.

Until the next adventure,

Johnny