BLOCUS

If you thought the Grève was fun times, Blocus will make your head spin! So we already knew that France really hates not getting its way (or going to class) but today, communal procrastination just reached a new high! BLOCUS! Its pretty wonderful. Its where students decide to block all of the entrances to the academic buildings with big signs saying “BLOCUS!” and all classes get cancelled. Ok, I know you’re thinking “psh, ya just like the Grève, show me something I didn’t just read in the blog post below…” Well, here’s the kicker: Blocus lasts for a week. Yup, went to the secretary, asked what the word on the Blocus was (apparently during the Blocus the secretary is visible and existent, unlike during the Grève) and she said that there was a manif (manifestation= big gathering where people complain en masse) and that all classes would be cancelled until Wednesday. Apparently the university system is in great need of reform and both students and teachers are not too happy about it. Needless to say I’m SUPER down with the Blocus (seriously considering buying the T-shirt). As I was walking toward the Tram I ran into some sassy Italian Erasmus exchange students from my sociology class and we spoke of the wonder that is French University closure.


I went into the Centre-Ville and went to the SNCF boutique to buy the last train tickets for my weeklong vacation, which is coming up in a week and a half! I will be doing my first bit of solo travel and I’m super stoked! I’m heading first to the Mediterranean city of Marseille, the 2nd largest city in France with a huge Moroccan/West African influence. I’m kicking it in a cool hostel, seeing the sights, drinking the Pastis, eating the Bouillabaisse and speaking French with the locals. Then I’m headed to Paris to do some museum-ing, sightseeing, wining, dining, and partying with my friend Ali Mandelkorn (Ali goes to Scripps College for Women in the Claremont College Consortium). I finish my P’tit sejour with a visit to St. Lô in the Normandy region, to stay with a family friend, Christine (if you’ve been following along, Christine is the mother of Ewa, my fantastic French hostess from my first days here in Nantes. When Christine was in high school she was an exchange student in the US with my Grandmother, so she and my family go way back).


Since last we spoke I also worked things out with the Office of International Student Affairs here at the University of Nantes and in about 2 weeks I should begin getting 300 Euro per month for the duration of my stay! It will come in handy to cover my travel expenses (those drinks wont pay for themselves…).
Attached is a photo of l’Eglise de Saint Nicholas located in the Centre-Ville, next to the café where I spent my afternoon reading about French Nationalism in the 18th century and drinking espresso. Its kinda big so I captured it in three photos. Enjoy.