Vimy Ridge

Today I left Paris destened for the WWI battle grounds.

I arrived in Arras (small town north of Paris) I was looking for a bus to get me there, as I had heard that they had a few going there. After talking to the bus guy (who spoke no english and me trying as hard as hell to understand him and desipher the words coming out) I went to a bus station, talked to all the bus drivers (who spoke little english) and they all said that this is the wrong bus go back to the bus depot where after the bus guy told me that is where I needed to be. So after getting the run around by the bus drivers, and some of the a hotel information people. I finally gave up on the bus, and had to splurge for a taxi if I wanted to see it today. It cost 21. 20 Euro from the train station to the park (a total of about 12km).

At the Monument (which I believe is considered Canadian Soil because it is a chunk of land donated to the Canadian People by the French Government. The Office of Veteran's and Foregin Affirs, runs and maintains the park. and all the Staff there are on work contracts from Canada!!
The staff I met today were from Ontario, Quebec, BC. and they all were very nice, and great to meet some new friendly Canadian faces.

After I had seen the Monument (which was very moving; after seeing the landscape, and the monument, and what had happened and the symbolism behind it I had to hold back tears!!)
It was very nice, White Limestone made up the monument, with the angels embracing the fallen to heaven, the tomb of the unknown soldiers, with the weeping mother waiting for her son to come home, above the tomb. The road leading to the parking lot is bordered by full flourishing maple trees, while in the back ground the shell trenched ground and trees only grow leaves on the top. I toke a tour of the trenches, and the tunnel they have how the battalions would sleep and the trenchs where allied and axis no-mans-land met within 25 metres.
Even with my decription, I can't give this place enough justice, if you are ever in France, this is a must see to all Canadians.

After leaving the Memorial park, I caught a train to Lille where I am spending the night and catching another train tomorrow morning to Utrecht, Holland, where I shall met Pip and her friend again and go around see a little bit of Holland, before I go on an 11 hour day train journy to Vienna on Monday.

I believe as of now: Home in 14 days!!
still I love traveling, but I can't wait to come home and sleep in my own bed, and not live out of my backpack, and just relax without feeling pressured to get up to catch a train, plane or automobile, sleep in (because I am exhausted, but I have to keep going. Maybe Utrecht will let me recharge my batteries)