Chapter 23: Jacques Cartier is Awarded 16 Points

nerd blog post #24

Last night, one of the other lecteurs invited Cynthia, another lecteur, and I over for dindins. The three of them are American, and very nice. She made a delicious salad and a tasty pasta. We drank wine and ate around a table. It was a lot of fun, and a perfect non-outing for my cold. Very lovely.

This morning, Cynthia and I got up early for Mayor Day! This was part of the Welcome Package we received for being new in Rennes. It started at 930am, and though we both wanted to sleep, we got up and went. And didn't regret it for a second! Very dorky, very fun.

First, we were put into groups and led on a tour of historic Rennes. I remembered everything so I can take friends on it. We learned a lot about Rennes history, divided in two by a fire in 1720 that destroyed much of the downtown. 900 houses.. After that fire, much was re-built, and we toured the Opera, the Mayor's land, the old cathedral, and several other landmarks. It was great.

After that, we went to the Opera and saw a performance by a pianist and singer, and some people talked. Then we met the Mayor. I was pumped. I thought, though, that he would wear old fashioned garb, but he just wore a suit.. I was disappointed. It reminded me of the story my grandpa told me. The story is as follows:

When he was four and living in Windsor, ON, there was to be a great parade featuring the Prince of Wales. He was super excited and he and his family waited anxiously for the prince to parade by. He was utterly disappointed when the Prince of Wales turned out to be a man, and not the biggest of all water mammals.

I felt that same disappointment when the mayor of Rennes was not in a white wig and high socks.. Anyways, he talked about the city, and then we had the chance to ask questions. I love asking questions, but was all stuffed up, and didn't want the cute guy in front of me to hear my nasally voice.. Ah, well.

This was followed by a reception that Cynthia and I dominated like it was our J-O-B. We were alllll over the free cider and goodies. We did the impolite thing of standing at the buffet table and stuffing our faces.

With that free lunch, we headed to the train station where we purchased tickets to Saint-Malo. A fifty minute train ride and less than $20 (return) later, we were in one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. Anyone who comes to visit me will be forced to visit Saint-Malo. I can't even describe it.. But it was amazing. Jacques Cartier was from Saint-Malo, and by order of the King, set sail from the port there in 1554 (I think) with two boats of 120 crew members each. That's a lot. Twenty days later, he arrived in Newfoundland. He can be thanked for Quebec. There was a tourist spot called Maison de Quebec and many of the province's flags flew high. I felt very patriotic! We bi-passed the museum this time, though, because we wanted to hit the beach.

It was about twenty degrees and sunny, and we laid out our towels and stayed for hours. I went swimming in the ocean. There's a great salt-water swimming pool right on the sea, but I opted for the real thing. It was freezing. There were a couple of kids in the pool section, and I was the only one in the actual ocean. The first thing I did was to take a sip of the water.. Yup, it was real! Looking across, I imagined Canada, and it felt good to know that it was the same ocean.. I didn't swim too long. It was really, really cold.

On the beach, I read my book, which had been neglected. We also decided to pretend we were French, and took our tops off. How liberating! We ate a picnic lunch of cheese and baguette and fruit on the beach. My chest is red.. It had never seen the light of day.

The only downfall to the beach was a rowdy and obnoxious group of Americans who were sitting nearby. They have such a bad reputation of being obnoxious, and it's because there are those that reaaallly spoil it for the rest. French peeps on a beach are chilling. They are sitting in their speedos, sans tops, reading, sipping wine, having small chats. They are not singing, getting wasted, throwing each other around. When in Rome.... This group didn't get it. It was annoying. I feel badly that a small group like this gives an entire nation a bad rep.

When the tide had completely covered the swimming pool and all the big rocks in front of us, we packed up and walked around the town. It's quite small, and though beautiful, we were both glad to be living in Rennes. We had a coffee at a little cafe and met a couple from New Jersey who are now living in France. They have daughters our age and were really excited to talk to us, and suggest some places to visit.

We got home around 9pm and Cynthia headed over to the married ex-roomies house for a Wii Party with the other lecteurs. I opted to come here and nerd blog. Later, we'll hit the town.

Today was one of the best days I've had. It was so perfect. I feel almost completely better, and the sun did me well.

I would like to award 100 points to all of my Kingston friends who are partying like rockstars this Homecoming week-end. Homecoming beats every holiday, hands down. If I were there, I would be having a ball.. I look forward to my next Homecoming. I'ma flip a boat and light it on fire.

And so, happy Homecoming, merci Mayor, and congratulations Cartier.

With love,
Hincks.