Chapter 39: Fest-Noz

nerd blog post #44

Holler, players.

Yesterday, after blogging, I went to see a man about a bike. Victor and I met in a shady alleyway (where else?) and I test-rode the beaut. And bought it. I forget it's name, but it's blue with wide handlebars, no gears, and a thing on the back for books. I bargained him down by 5Euros. I love deals. I need to pump the tires a bit, and raise the seat. Otherwise, she rolls like a royce.

After that, I went to the theatre club. There were at least twenty people there, all anxious to do theatre. Most of them are English students and most have acted before. The familiar smell of the drama ego was in the air. I was nervous about leading the group at first because everyone was talking over one another, and the room was chaotic. But in the end, it worked out just fine. We mostly talked about what they wanted to get out of it, what language we would speak in, and whether or not we would put on a play.. In the end, the following was decided:
1. For this semester, due to people's class schedules, there would be two two-hour groups, with the option of staying all four hours.
2. Also this semester, it will be more of a theatre workshop. We'll do exercises, scene work, etc. in both French and English.
3. In 2009, if there's a solid group of people who are committed, I'll choose a play and we'll use all four hours to rehearse, and then perform it at the end of the term for an audience.
People seemed happy enough with that.

We ended a little bit early, and I met two of my students (friends) to go to this traditional Breton dance called Fest-Noz. This is danced to accordion and violin, or guitar and clarinet, or a Capella singers, depending on the dance. The music has a bit of an Irish sound to it.. The dances are either in pairs, or in a large circle, where everyone is either holding hands, or holding PINKY fingers. The dance originates from Breton people having to stomp on the earth of their fields to flatten it, because of something to do with being close to the ocean.. And so Fest-Noz is danced either barefoot or in wooden clogs, and has a lot of stomping and shuffling in it. Only small arm swings. It was neat to see so many young people who know this traditional dance, and who wanted to participate. I loved it and got right in, and learned about ten new dances. Each song goes specifically with a dance. The two girls I was with are dating, and so they danced the pairs dances together. I would be a wallflower until, like circa 1894, some gentleman would approach, bow, and then ask me to dance. That's what all the single women and men were doing. But sometimes, I got tired of waiting (something I'm not good at) and would just go ask someone. He'd say yes, we'd get to the d-floor, and I'd confess that I had no idea what I was doing.. "Hey, wanna dance?" .. "Okay." .. "Great. Now show me how. I've never done this before in my life." ..

Brittany continues to surprise me with its culture and history. Fest-Noz was one of the most enjoyable things I've done since arriving here. I really loved it. I talked to the guy running it and got some dates for further Fest-Noz. I can't wait.

This morning, I packed my bags and then brought everything to campus. I taught two classes, now have office (blogging) hours, teach one more class, and then go straight to the train station! I'm really pumped.

And so, dear readers, this will be the last nerd blog post for 1.5 weeks as I will be on vacation.

Juuuuust kidding! Obvi bringing my mini lappy486 with me wherever I go! Stay tuned.

Love to you all.

Hincks.

PS - I just saw this on my desk. It's a poem I read to my first years this week. Try and read it without stumbling.. Ahem.

SO YOU THINK FRENCH IS HARD!

I take it you already know
Of tough and bough and cough and dough
Others may stumble, but not you,
On hiccough, thorough, tough, and through.
Well done!
And now you wish perhaps
To learn of less familiar traps?
Beware of heard, a dreadful word
That looks like beard and sounds like bird.
And dead - it's said like bed, not bead -
For goodness' sake don't call it deed.
Watch out for meat and great and threat
(They rhyme with suite and straight and debt.)
A moth is not a moth in mother,
Nor both is not a broth in brother.
And here is not a match for there
Nor dear and fear for bear and pear.
And then there's dose and rose and lose,
Just look them up - goose and choose.
And cork and work and card and ward
And front and font and word and sword,
And do and go, and wart and cart -
Come come! I've hardly made a start!
A tricky language? Man alive!
I mastered it when I was five.

Enjoy your day, my friends!