France!

Cathedral of Notre Dame

It has been about a week since I arrived in Leuven.  It is quite funny that I was only in Leuven for a few days before I left for France for a week. France is a beautiful country filled with so much history, magnificent churches, great food, and nice people despite the stereotypes that I have previously heard.  I saw one of the most important churches in Christendom, Notre Dame, and it was absolutely amazing.

The Slaves by Michelangelo

I visited museums like the Louvre and an impressionism museum.  I still cannot believe that I actually saw the works of Van Gogh, Da Vinci, and Michelangelo among others.  I even saw two paintings of my favorite Saint, Thomas Aquinas!  How beautiful!  Then I met this really nice group of French people at a night club and it turns out that one of them started a company which promotes his father's art.  How awesome and yet, it is so French! I then had the opportunity to visit an abbey isolated on an island called Mont-Saint Michel .  I never have seen such a beautiful place before; it was so peaceful to be there in the cloister and literally be on top of the mountain being closer to God.  I saw a magnificent tapestry in Bayeaux, France depicting the battle of Harold and William the Conqueror to claim England.  Finally, I had the opportunity to see Normandy and the beaches where the Americans stormed the Nazi fortress on DDay.  Seeing the cemetery allowed me to reflect on the lives lost on this day back in 1944.  So many people died securing our freedom and protecting us from the Nazi regime.  I was definitely very proud to be an American at that moment.

Me on Omaha Beach in Normandy

I arrived back in Leuven late last night and I have so much to do!  I still need to buy a phone, go food shopping, buy a notebook for this Dutch class I start taking next week.  I love Europe so far and I cannot wait to see what else will happen.  For now, I need to get ready for the day but I will update you all soon.

“Lord, make me see thy glory in every place.” -Michelangelo