2007tour

Some details of our trip to Normandy

Sunday, June 8th: The plane arrived safely in Paris and the team was on their way to Caen, via bus @ 6:30AM 6/8/08 EDT. After about a 3 hr bus ride, we arrived in Caen to play a spirited game of rugby. Unfortunately, we came out on the losing side. The camaraderie and food shared with the team was enjoyed by all. Caen had a nice group of gentlemen on their team and they were very hospitable. We traded Rugby pins and shirts with our host team. We had a few hours to relax before lights out.

Coach Karabin comments: While I traveled to Paris ahead of the team with Mrs. Karabin to visit friends it enabled me to miss a special part of the trip "endured" by the rest of the team and parents. It turns out that the bus ride to JFK was quite the adventure. The bus driver, nicknamed "Speedy" by the players, was quite challenged by a lack of directions to JFK and hobbled with a bus that needed numerous "rest" stops to manage the trip. Once arrived in Paris I heard continual references to the bus trip and the grand sight seeing the team received of Queens and Brooklyn as the bus made it's way to JFK. Why the circuitous route and slow speed can only be attributed to God testing the patience and resolve of the team. Once arrived in Paris the team passed through customs, received their baggage and boarded a wonderfully cool and totally modern bus with Paul as the bus driver. Paul was cheered for his rate of speed on the highways, confident manner and rapid transit to Caen and the youth hostel. More to follow...

Monday, June 9th: Today was a day to tour the town of Caen. There was a 1 hr practice today. Sites seen include: the 11th-century Abbaye-Aux-Hommes founded by William the Conqueror; the Abbaye-Aux-Dames founded (1066) by William's wife Matilda; and the Church of Saint-Pierre, which is under construction. The dorms are not one large room as originally expected but 8 rooms with 4 beds to a room. At last report the fathers chaperoning were enjoying water and baguettes while the team was off touring the town. Tomorrow's plans include touring Normandy and possibly the WWII museum.

Tuesday, June 10th: Today's morning tour of the World War II Memorial and Museum in Caen was a moving experience for us all. The museum had a movie which gave an in-depth contrast on how the Allied forces prepared for D-Day versus the German preparation for defending the coast of France. There were many artifacts for viewing also. We then boarded the bus in town to take us to the train station. We boarded a train for our 25 minute ride to Lisieux. Pulling into the train station we had a view of the beautiful Church and could hear the bells ringing as we moved to the Courtyard of the shrine. We were all impressed by the size and beauty of the church. We paused to light candles and pray for our families, friends and in particular the Hennessy Family. We return to Caen to have dinner and a few hours of free time.

Wednesday, June 11th: Today we were able to sleep in late and grab breakfast in the town of Caen. We then boarded a coach for a private tour (there is a regional transportation strike going on) of the Normandy coast. Our first stop was Omaha beach where we were able to see the memorial, put our feet in the ocean (not too cold) and took pictures in front of the monuments. There was a new piece of Art commemorating the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. Our second stop was the Cemetery, the museum and visitor center. We were here for 90 minutes. We had the opportunity to take a moving walk through the cemetery and to see a narrated film about some of the soldiers buried here. As we know, many of these men were not much older and some younger than us. Our third and final stop was Port En Bessin. Port En Bessin was the actual linkup point between the American and British forces on June 7, 1944. Notched into the cliffs between the American and British beachheads, this port was taken from the rear by British and American forces. By D-day +6 the port was reopened with off loading of about 8,000 tons per day. In early July floating pipelines connected fuel and oil tankers to the large petrol dump immediately west of the town. The German pill boxes overlooking the harbor and its approaches are still able to be seen. It was a great day! What was accomplished here more than 60 years ago is amazing. We've returned Institut Lemmonier for dinner. The evening will close with free time and more water and baguettes for the Dad's. Tomorrow...Paris!

Thursday, June 12th: We took the train to Paris today and moved quickly around town to see the Must See's via foot, Metro and water taxi on the Seine, always considered one of the great rivers of the world. Highlights of our day include: la Tour Eiffel, l'Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame de Paris, the Louve (from a distance) and many many footsteps on the Avenue des Champs Elysées. Most of the team returned to Caen via the train, a few others including chaperones, stayed for a little more time in Paris. Our rugby match in Paris didn't come to pass. It was a memorable day (one we won't soon forget) but our dogs are hurting! Tomorrow we will sleep in late, practice and head to Fler for a rugby match.

Friday, June 13th: We had a late day to sleep in and practice in the morning. We then boarded the bus for our match against the Fler Rugby Club. We won the match against the Fler Rugby team 10-0! They had a beautiful stadium, locker facilities and club house. It was a hard fought match. We enjoyed this comradery and fellowship.

Saturday, June 14th: A caravan of mini-vans took us to Mont St. Michel. Mont-Saint-Michel looms above a wide bay opening out onto the English Channel. We strolled the town, attended Mass in French at the top of the monastery (absolutely beautiful even for those of us who didn't understand what they were saying) and completed our afternoon with more time to explore the town. We returned to the hostel and had a free night for dinner in Caen.

Sunday, June 15th: We departed for Paris via bus @ 7:00 AM (France time). Then a plane from Paris to Philadelphia. It has been a great trip! Au revior!!!