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Eyewitnesses fewer as France marks D-day
LISIEUX, France – The remembrance evening started with a head count: How many in the hall experienced the 1944 liberation of France? Of 400 people, barely three dozen hands went up.
“There aren’t many of us, are there?” said a hushed voice in the crowd.
In Lisieux, as in other Normandy towns that took the brunt of the D-day invasion 60 years ago, the dwindling number of townspeople who experienced it are rushing to preserve their memories in a world transformed.
For some, a German leader for the first time joining the VIPs at June 6 commemorations in Normandy will be jarring. Others will find it heartening — a symbol of a peaceful, united Europe risen from the ashes of World War II.
John Kerry or George Bush?
If the U.S presidency were dependent on France, who would win? John Kerry or George Bush? (I think I know the answer) Now that being said, if we suspend reality for a momemt and you were able to whisper in the ear of the Average American voter as he or she was in the voting booth, what would you say to the voters of the United States?
mailing luggage to France via UPS
We decided this year to ship our luggage to our vacation rental house because the connection in Paris ( to Montpellier) was too tight for the transfer. We went to UPS and they said no problem – they promised delivery to our doorstep within 4 to 5 business days of our arrival. The charge was $400.00. This turned into a nightmare – it took ten days and endless phone calls before a UPS truck finally arrived bearing ONE of our two bags. But the shocker was— There was an additional cost of $478.00
which we had to pay to the driver. He would not release the bag until he had the cash.
We have been unable to ascertain how customs arrived at this amount (the second bag arrived the next day and there was no charge).
Turbans banned from schools under new French law
Sikh schoolboys must exchange their turbans for a hair net when a new
law banning religious clothing in France’s public schools takes effect
in September.
The Sikh community was shocked yesterday when education minister Francois Fillon made the announcement.
He also confirmed Muslim girls could only wear bandannas in schools that allowed them.
Fillon spoke after education officials adopted – with some misgivings – a set
of guidelines to help school officials apply the law, which was enacted
in March after a marathon parliament debate.
French rock star in murder appeal
Cantat, 40-year-old lead singer of rock band Noir Desir, was found guilty of causing the death of Marie Trintignant.
He had told the court he slapped her several times during a jealous row; she died from head injuries a week later.
Ms Trintignant’s family believes Cantat’s sentence is too lenient and is asking for it to be increased.
The maximum sentence Cantat could receive from the court in Vilnius, Lithuania, is 15 years in prison.
The murder happened when the couple were staying at a
hotel in Vilnius last year, where Ms Trintignant was making a film
about the French literary heroine, Colette.
Favorite places in Normandy
Okay, Donerail is going to Normandy next November. Let’s all share our favorite places (and activities) in Normandy. There are the well touristed Mont St. Michel, Giverny, Bayeux and the WWII beaches. What other places have you found? What was your favorite?
Thanks.
I am an American girl, 18, want a penpal from anywhere in the world
My name is Erin, and I am 18 years old, soon to be 19 years old in June. I am a very interesting person, if you want to know more about me, I will tell you. Just E-Mail me at Brevoort77@yahoo.com.
I live in Michigan in the United States. I love France! I will be attending college this fall to further my studies in French because I want to be a French teacher for high school students.
Hope to hear from you!
Disappearing posts
I found my posts by clicking on "Today’s" above right and directly under "Terms of Service." When I click on the navigation button and select "Threads," it says the category is currently empty. (Of course, if you don’t do that first, you won’t find this information so I’m not sure why I typed it!)
At any rate, if you lose a post, try the "Today’s" or "Last 24 Hours" buttons above. Presumably the topics will eventually be returned to the "Threads" section.
If this is a forum improvement, I suspect a lot of people will not find the threads and will disappear to a more user friendly forum. Just my humble opinion, of course. Perhaps I’m just cyberdeficient.
Posts disappear . . . where do they go?
Under Travel Help a person named "Simmie" just asked about handicapped transportation from Metz to LaRochelle. It was listed as being posted May 14 although it is currently May 13 (3:12 PM Pacific time).
At any rate, I replied, hit "Done" and the entire thread simply disappeared. Is it out in cyberspace or are you now reviewing posts before they go up?
Just curious.