Chapter 10: Night Box

grown up comic books and cartoon movies nerd blog post #11

Doctor - you're in the lead! And I'm counting down the days as well... An honourable amount of points to Adam S, Condren, BBB, Mrs. Sorbie, and the rest. And 13 to SLS for a chiseled jawline.

Some readers are a little concerned that some people here in Rennes might be offended if they read my blog. I have thought of that, and it's definitely true, and something I've struggled with. My intent with this blog is to give my Canadian friends and family an accurate account of my time here. Of course, I could pretend as though everyone I meet and every day I live here is perfect, but that wouldn't be very true.. I also definitely don't want to offend new people I meet, and may have to work or spend time with here in Rennes. I grappled with this... In the end, I decided to tell no one here about the blog at all, and never check it on another computer besides my own. I also changed my name and made this blog un-google-able. Though it is possible to find anything online, and while I recognize that I am publishing these posts on the internet, I think I've done what I can to ensure that they are read by the parties they're written for: Canadian family and friends. I hope that explains things a bit! Thanks for the concern.

And now for the meat.

I have tended to travel in packs on a Saturday evening. But there is something really fun about going out with one other person every once in awhile. It's easier to make decisions, hard to lose each other, and it feels (especially with two girls, for some reason) like a giant adventure.. So Saturday night I picked up a bottle of wine (for about $2.50, no big deal) and headed over to NO's place. Her place is amazing.. She lives with an American (who is a former lecteur and has stayed to marry a Frenchman) and a French man who owns the condo and rents it out for cheap to get some extra dosh. So she pays the same as me for this beautiful place that was fully furnished, in a nice building with a great view.. I had frenvy. (Friendly envy, as opposed to hateful jealously...)

We had a good chat before we went out. I told her about L'Arche and she told me about her job as a nurse this summer. I like her a lot. Then we went to Thirsty Street to a bar there. We learned that there are three levels of going out on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night, and they are as follows:
Bar - open until 1am.
Night Bar - open until 3am. Bar + dance floor.
Night Box - open until 5am. Club.
We asked some teens where a fun one was and they showed us a Night Bar. Night Bars are like clubs, but not giant in size. I liked it there - good music dating back to Toronto bars circa 2005, which is perfect for me since I'm not that trendy with the new stuff...

After the Night Bar, we thought we should research the Night Boxes, to see what they were like. The big difference is a 12-15Euro cover, which is like $20! Crazypants. Someone else paid for us and we went in. It was in an old prison, underground, and very, very cool. I thought it might be like the after hours places in Toronto, which are a bit scary, but it totally wasn't. Safe, nice bouncers, and no sign of drugs.. I liked it.

I was looking forward to seeing how young French peeps interact. I have spent years studying the Canadian man, but was curious about the French. I could go on about my research, but will push on...

We got home super late and had a sleepy ovary at her place. Sunday we hung out most of the day, before I returned to the slum motel. I did some German homework and then, at dusk, went for a walk down the canal. After 15 minutes or so, I was in the country! The crickets were going crazy, the canal became a river, and it was all very beautiful. I returned before dark and went to bed super early.

This morning I had an e-mail from NO with some good news. The girl she lives with is getting married on Saturday. She has only been dating the guy for 10 months, but can't stay in France unless they get married. So they're having a civil wedding on Saturday and then a big one with family etc in June. Anyways, they decided that after Saturday, she'll move into his place, which leaves a room up for grabs at NO's place. She asked if I wanted it. It's perfect - affordable, safe, washer and dryer, internet, everything.. She kind of wants to move into the other room because it's bigger, which is fine. Her room is big enough and I don't have a lot of stuff. Plus it has a balcony, which I love. It's close to the downtown core, but not really walking distance from the university. I'll get a bike and bike to work, which suits me just fine.

Today I'm going to the university to drop off some stuff and get the key to my office. So VIP! Then meeting Pascal's wife, who works at a fitness centre. She's helping me get into a volleyball league for the year and is giving me a good deal. I'm excited about that.

I enjoyed the first few days of solitude, but am happy that things are picking up a bit. I look forward to starting work, moving out, and getting a bit busier. I also look forward to Doc's visit in a different way than before. Before, it was because I was a bit lonely, but now it's because I want to show him this city that I really love!

Also, when I lived in Quebec three years ago, I had a friend named Moritz who was my only friend my age there. He's German. We have kept in close touch and he's coming to visit on October 3rd. So that will be nice. I'm interested to see how things go after not seeing each other for so long.. Should be nice, I think. Since we established a friendship in Quebec, we speak French to each other, despite his English being so good. I like that, and it will make his visit to Rennes really fun.

I hope you all enjoyed your week-ends. Happy Monday. And lots of love to all of you.

Peace,
Hincks.

Also, I will be sure to get photos of the slum motel before I go, dad. And some others, too, now that I've figured out how..