Jour 9...

So, like I said, last night was our first night out at the festival here in Angers.

     A group of us ventured out into the crowded streets that had been littered with horse shit land mines. On street corners throughout the city at all times there were different acts going on. Some were theatrical, some were artistic expressions, comedians, musicians, and acrobats like the guy pictured to the left. It was really an amazing site to see the narrow streets of Angers filled with all types of people, all speaking French. Buildings like the Château d'Angers and the cathedral were all lit up in different colors, and countless flaming torches lit the streets. On our way to see the fireworks we stopped to see this acrobat pictured on the left, and then we stopped to see a few other small acts, mostly musical, some theatrical (which means I didn't understand them what so ever).

     We finally reached the show, which was situated right on the bank of the river. In front of the boat where the fireworks were being launched was a stage where about ten guys were beating drums and creating the coolest tribal music. I wish I had a picture of the actual event, but I didn't have my camera with me last night. So yes, these first pictures are not mine. =[

    There was a very modern and large opera house across the street from the show so we took the elevator to the rooftop terrace and watched the show from an elevated vantage point. It was magnificent. The music was synchronized perfectly with the fireworks. The MASSIVE crowd was very vocal with their approval. And from the rooftop, there was the perfect view not only of the firework display, but the beautifully lit skyline of Angers, as well.

When the show had finished, the French students forced me and one of my fellow Americans, Katie, to try our first raw oysters. They weren't bad... They just tasted like mushy clams. I wouldn't order them for myself, that's for sure! Afterwards, to clear the taste, we bought some delicious licorice candy from a street vendor. It probably sounds lame, but I had the time of my life just walking through the streets with my friends and the rest of the city folk. I should point out that the festival was different from any that I had ever been to in the U.S. There were no carnival rides, no cotton candy, and no headlining rock or country band for everyone to drink beer to. It was ARTISTIC. It almost had an honest quality about it, because it wasn't cookie cutter. It was talented people expressing their talents in the street.

   I went back out to the festival tonight, but it was nowhere near the same! Tonight, basically everyone in our program went out, and it was very hard to keep everyone together. I actually don't think we even finished watching one performance. A lot of walking though. Given the fact that we had been drinking wine and beer together I guess we were fairly content to simply stand in groups in the street. I had a good kabob panini and had even better conversation, so the night was an overall success =]
      Ashton, French Paul, Myself, and the British ex-patriot Natalie are pictured to the left.


    I might be going to a rugby game tomorrow afternoon, but I'm sure I'll be writing about it soon enough! Bonne nuit!
Kevin

Some more things to know about my stay here:

• I need a reusable water bottle. 
• I miss Tex-Mex. 
• It is becoming easier to listen and comprehend what people say when they speak French.
• I live across the river from the Hospital, and the European emergency sirens are SO ANNOYING! WEE OOO WEE OO WEE OOO WEE OOO, all the time. 
• Laundry is so expensive in my building, and the washing machine has no cold or hot setting, only a plethora of small buttons with pictures of cups containing different numbers on them (wtf?). 
• The steamer that I brought for my clothes is a life saver, love it. 
• I'll be in Paris next weekend!