Life goes on...

So, I've decided its been a little too long since my last update (I made a New Years Resolution!) so here ya'll are.

Last weekend was a CIEE day trip to the south of Bretagne, the land of the mégalithes.  Mégalithes are these giant stones (think Stonehenge) that were left by who ever lived in this area 6000 years ago.  At Carnac, there are around 4 kilometers of these rocks left in rows.  There are no written records left from these people, so no one knows what the purpose of these rocks really was.  They don't line up with the moon or sun like Stonhenge does, and they're actually a lot older (by about 1,500 years).  Word on the street (or French comic books) is that Astérix and Obélix (click to find out more about it) brought the giant rocks themselves.  Obélix, this huge (and I mean HUGE) dude carried them on his back.  I tried to re-create the magic of this idea, but since I was completely out of potion magique, I just pretended to be that strong.

We also visited Vannes, a city by the water that was pretty much the capitol of Bretagne way back in the day (way way wayyyy back).  It was really crappy weather though, so the highlight was eating lunch at an AWESOME crêperie and getting a delicious galette.  Just can't get enough of those things.  We got a tour of the city, saw some people doing a scavenger hunt dressed as leprechauns, tried to stay out of the rain, and then went home.

I'm sensing now is the time for another photo....wait for it.........MONTAGE!!!!!

Vannes

A sign in both Breton and French  

Your everyday, average leprechauns

Hey Hank!!!

Last weekend was also Springtime of Movies (don't really know what to call it), which meant all movies were 3.50 euro!  Leah and I took advantage of this deal and saw La Rafle, a movie about the Holocaust.  In 1942, the Nazis tried to capture 24,000 Jews that were living in Paris.  Thankfully, Parisians were able to help hide about 10,000 so only 13,000-14,000 were actually caught.  But, sadly, out of the 13,000-14,000, only 25 survived.  25.  No children.  All adults.  The film follows the story of several people involved, a Jewish family, a Jewish doctor, a nurse who tries to help them all....it was really well done.  I cried throughout the whole thing...but its a very good movie.  I'd recommend it! 

Also this week, I was very cultured and went to see the Orchestre de Bretagne play at the opéra in Rennes.  Jamie was going with her friend from home who was in town visiting and Leah and I decided to join them.  The opera was a really neat building, all golden and luxurious and opera like, although smaller than I thought.  Our seats were in the front row, which really means front row.  Any closer and I would have been in the violin section.  It was my first time being at an orchestra concert (that I can think of) and I really enjoyed it.  I didn't know that violins did so much plucking and the synchronization of the bows was really cool to watch.  I'd definitely check it out again.  On a cultural experience note that was kind of funny, before the show Jamie wanted to get dinner at around 6h15, which seemed SO early to me (its become such a habit to not eat until 8) and Jamie quickly realized after we made the tour of restaurants, that no where serves dinner until at least 7 here.  Hungry at 6h30?  Subway is pretty much your only choice.  Oh, France.

After the orchestra, Leah and I checked out the "Apéro Géant" that was going on at Colombier.  Apparently there is a competition going on between a lot of cities in the area, such as Nantes and Tours, to see who can throw the biggest party.  Thursday night was Rennes turn to show what they got.  From the headlines I saw, about 4000 people showed up.  When we got to Colombier, there was just this massive crowd of young people hanging out, drinking, smoking, joking around, throwing glass bottles (a Rennes favorite pass time...).  In was sort of like what Mifflin looks like, minus all the cop hugging and general complete absurdity, and instead of a block, its was in a square.  There was a guy juggling fire, lots of people trains, a makeshift pirate ship, and some guys running around with a banner that said "Rue de la Soif is not for sale!" (but in French, obviously...Rue de la Soif is Rennes version of State Street, only smaller, and minus the ethnic restaurants.  Basically just bars.  And some guy in town is trying to buy out the bars to reduce the drinking in Rennes, which has upset the local student population).  Leah and I just kind of observed, ran into our friends Gabriel and François, met some crazy Frenchies who "LOVE AMERICA!" "WISCONSIN!  LIKE THAT 70s SHOWS!?!"  They were very, very nice, and very, very enthusiastic.  But, I wasn't feeling that great (my usual cold...Sophie's stopped force feeding me essential oils and my immune system is getting low), so we headed home pretty early.

Louis' birthday is today, and Lucile and I made the usual preparations.  We made our own card for him with TWO birthday cakes, balloons, and confetti all over it.  We wrapped presents (she searched in her dresser and found a coloring book to wrap up and give him lol) and taped candy to them.  Everything is set!  Tomorrow, he's going bowling for the first time in his life for his birthday party!  11 years, no bowling?  This kid has been missing out.

Other than that, I've just been suffering through school...lots of tests this past week, and I still have 2 more to go (plus a paper and a speech to get working on....).  Ho hum.

Next week, its off to Bordeaux!!!!!  I can't wait.  We're staying with a friend of a friend and we're going to see a soccer game.  This means I'll get to see this lovely man, Yoann Gourcuff, in person:

   
What a stud.  Next weekend also starts my whirlwind travel time (6 weekends in a row in travel, including 2 whole weeks of vacation).  I'm exhausted just thinking about it.  Also, I officially have less than 2 months til I leave.  Tonight at dinner, Lucile asked me if I was coming to Agathe's synchronized swimming gala...Sophie asked "When is it?"  Agathe replied, "In June."  Guess I'm not going.....so weird........time goes by way too fast here.....