Chapter 90: Mary-Angel Marechal

nerd blog post #96

I've moved. Before delving into the details of this week, I'll post my new address so you know where to send those packages you've been anxiously holding on to:

25, rue du Maréchal Joffre
35000 Rennes
France

So.. Monday night and Tuesday were spent packing up our things and cleaning our place.

We heard official news from the university that the semester will be extended. This means that moving to Paris next Thursday is no longer happening. I have to stay in Rennes until the end of classes on May 16th and am expected to be here to invigilate exams and give oral exams until the end of June. Being here for exams was not necessary before, but with the semester being extended, it means that some professors will be gone and they are relying on the lecteurs to help out. This presents some major problems for May visitors and going to Canada in June, but I will sort that out next week.

I went to campus on Monday to return a key to a classroom that I don't use anymore, but when I got there, security had locked all of the buildings. Apparently, there were fights on campus and a teacher was attacked, so the president of the university decided to officially close the school for a week, until Monday. On Monday, there are meetings with each department, at which point I hope to find out a lot more.

We moved into Merrill's Tuesday afternoon with no idea as to what was next. It was a funny scene. We had to carry a double mattress down the street and it was easiest on our heads. It felt like Queen's on moving day except we got strange looks.. Merrill's generosity was huge as Cynthia and I crammed into her very tiny studio apt. We had to put the mattress half under her bed and sleep on it the short way. But it was kind of fun.

That evening, I called her landlady and set up an appointment to see and sign for the apartment downstairs. It's a larger studio apt and the one Marianne (the American who was here last semester) lived in. Luckily, that worked out and on Wednesday night, Cynthia and I moved in here.

This place is cute. It's not huge, but it's big enough for the two of us. It has high ceilings and is completely blue. The landlady loves blue. The whole house is blue, the gates are blue, she wears only blue and even has blue-tinted glasses. Her name (translated) is Mary-Angel. I love it. Our room was the office when this mansion (built in the early 1800s) was lived in by one family. Now, it's home to twelve or so apartments. Living with Cynthia will be fine, even though it's only one room. She is reasonable and tidy and we are already used to sharing space. The funniest part is that we are sharing a bed for two months. Pretty tight quarters! But so far it's been great. Location is a little better, but only blocks from the old place. The building is made up of students, mostly, and is safe and fairly quiet. We are grateful that Mary-Angel would rent it to us for two months, fully furnished.

Yesterday we went to this huge grocery store that is cheaper than most and bought food for awhile and some household things we needed. You know, just the essentials - wine bottle opener, kettle, soap..

Last night we went to a party at a student's house. His name is Ogier and he and his crew come to all of Merrill's parties. It was fun. Tonight I am watching a movie. No plans for this week-end. Maybe start working on my tan.

Much love,
Hincks.