Storming the Beaches

Storming the Beaches

It seems that most people, when planning a trip to France automatically plan a trip to Paris. I suppose that's because if you're going to come to France, you just HAVE to see the Eiffel Tower.Yawn.For many people, Paris IS France - there is nothing at all worth seeing that exists outside of Paris, so they spend their vacation strolling on the Champs Élysées & gawking at the Arc de Triomphe.Snore.Of course, standing around in museums, staring at a painting of a bowl of fruit is a really good time. Shopping for over-priced clothes is a real kick in the ass, too. Right?Ugh. Whatever.There are some other people who comprehend the fact that there is a France outside of Paris. Maybe those people are taking bicycle tours through Provence, are sunning themselves on the Mediterranean coast, or are taking wine tours through Burgundy. Good for them.Maybe they're history nerds on the beaches of Normandy.Olivier & I have been to Normandy...
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13 More Warrior Women

13 More Warrior Women

Ok...I've done a list like this one before.  However, there's a significant difference this time - these women aren't fictional characters.  These women are actual historical figures & didn't have any stunt doubles.1.  Queen Tomyris of the Massagetae - Massagetae, now eastern Iran - c.550 B.C. When the Persian emperor Cyrus the Great attempted to invade the Iranic Massagetae of Central Asia, his army was beaten & forced to retreat.  Cyrus' boys then persuaded him to trick the enemy into getting drunk on wine because they were hash smokers & likely to be lightweights when it came to booze.  It worked - while the opposing army was shitfaced, the Persians came in & slaughtered them.  Tomyris' son was at the head of the drunken army.  When he sobered up, he killed himself.  When Tomyris got the news, she sent a message to Cyrus telling him what a rat bastard he was & called him out to another fight.  Another battle ensued,...
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