nerd blog post #15
I think Saturday is my favourite day of the week here in Rennes. I met the other lecteurs this morning and we walked through the market. I call today Marche Day (marsh-ay day). I love the market. I did some shopping for Hossoen before - some veggies for his sandwich, and he made me an espresso for my hard work. He also invited me to his house for dinner sometime. His wife speaks five languages and is an English prof at the private university here. And he has three teen sons. (!)
For lunch, the girls and I got galettes, which are a traditional Breton meal. They're crepes (also invented here) but saltier, and normally have ham, cheese, or egg inside. I had a cheese one. To complete the Breton meal, we bought a little bottle of Breton cider (they cost about $2 a bottle) and enjoyed our little feast on the cobblestone street. It was delicious.
Last night P-A and I had champagne like it ain't no thange and watched a French movie. Champagne here is cheaper than cheap wine in Ontario, and is very tasty. He was very surprised to hear that for us, champagne is for New Year's, weddings, and other big occasions. Unless you're a baller, I guess..
I'm looking forward to Cynthia's return on Monday. In the evening, we're all going to her roommates favourite place - O'Connell's - which is an Irish pub with English speaking peeps. I don't really need to practice my English, but she's getting married today, and so we're having a bit of a post-wedding bachelorette party for her.
Also Monday, I teach my first class. But before that, I have to go for my examinations so I can continue the process of getting the rest of my visa. I can't eat or drink anything that morning because I'm getting a chest x-ray.. Weird.
Today, someone stopped me on the street, asking me for directions. She started by asking me if I was from the neighbourhood. I said yes, and then gave her the directions she needed. After I thought about it, and it may have been weird that I said I was from that neighbourhood. I always say I'm from Toronto, but I wasn't born there. I'm definitely not (or at least don't feel as though I am) from Peterborough, where I was born. I also don't really feel as though I'm from the Beaches, as I haven't really lived there in five years. Sometimes I feel as though I'm from Kingston, since those were such important years.. And this past year, downtown TO was definitely my home. And then there's obviously a huge part of me that's rooted in Lesotho. I'm a confused young lady. I don't know where I'm from. What I do know, though, is that I'm fortunate to be able to adjust quickly, and whether I'm from a place or not, I can quickly make it home. Which is what I think I meant when I told her I was from here..
And so I ask you (for 4 points each, no doubt) the following:
1. Where am I from?
2. Where are you from?
3. Would you like fries with that?
No post tomorrow as everything is closed. And so, until Monday.
With love,
Hincks.
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7 comments:
1. You are from J's vagina.
2. I appeared fully formed under a moist stone in Croatia.
3. I would like to substitute the fries with the chilli. Ce ca?
I know you said its hard to explain, but I'm curious as to what your work involves... how much is prepared for you by the profs, how much do you have to do yourself, etc.
And when do you start those English/Spanish lessons? :)
Are there any gays in the village?
Oopppss..... 'vagina' = inapprops?
Emily Hincks!
I creepy creepstered and found this and have been reading for several days because
a) It is interesting
b) Homework has started
c) I plan on going to France next year
Anyway, enough excuses! Your "Where Am I From?" debate I find interesting... I was born in Mississauga, moved to Bobcaygeon when I was started school, moved to Fenelon Falls when I started highschool, and moved to Lindsay when I was starting University, and now am in Kingston! My parents like to move when I'm going to school I guess. But yes, when we're supposed to say where we're from, I never know what to say! I live in Lindsay technically, but never grew up there.
I just think... you are from wherever you decide you want to be from at that moment. You can change!
Shannon Mitchell
DC:
1. there was a woman at l'arche who liked to tell people, "i come from my mother's womb!" and that's very true.
2. thankd for the interest! i will explain more soon.
3. yes, i've met a few gays here. while there's no "gaybourhood," there are a couple of gay clubs/bars in the downtown core. it's a pretty liberal university, and a university town, so being "out" seems widely accepted and the couples i've seen don't pretend they're not together. that being said, france is not as progressive as Canada, unofortunately, and gay couples lack certain rights and therefore face more discrimination.. I imagine that it's harder to be gay in France, but not horrible in a city like Rennes.
ShanMitch! thanks for joining! love it. ...and you're springy hair. keep reading, friend.
Just wanted to point out that I'm still reading, in this case on a Sunday, watching football, with a glass of champagne in my hand, like it ain't no thange, as is my habit.
I'm just getting caught up on past posts, so here's my belated comment:
1) I dunno, just say whatever strikes your fancy at the moment.
2) I dunno, I just say whatever strikes my fancy at the moment. My three answers to this question are Toronto (8 years of my life), Winnipeg (11 years of my life), and Vancouver (only 3 years of my life, but my current home). I don't usually include Berlin as an option because it was only 4.5 years out of my childhood and I've never been back since, although I'd like to someday.
3. Yes please!
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