Where everyone is beautiful, scarves are not an option, and the night life is kickin'

Ten days into my study abroad experience, and all I can is....

I feel like Chris Pratt in the LEGO Movie. 

Because LITERALLY. EVERYTHING. IS. AWESOME.

For those of you who have not seen the LEGO Movie -- first of all, your life is very, very sad. Secondly... your life is very, very sad. Thirdly, you should stop everything and go see that movie.

For those of you who HAVE seen the LEGO Movie, the picture below is a fair representation of the facial expression I make every second of my waking life. 

Don't believe me? 

Proof. 

...God, do I EVER stop eating?!?!

More proof. 

Far-away proof. 

Anyways.

My first ten days in Rennes have been an absolutely fabulous blur. Between our French courses, discovering the city, all of the events the international student group has planned for us every night, and spending time with new friends, I have barely stopped to breathe! 

But, as promised, I have taken a brief break from being a Chris Pratt to write a post detailing my first impressions of my new turf and the culture thriving here.

1. As the title of this post suggests, everyone here is beautiful. Literally everyone. I have never seen such fashionably dressed, sassy, and chic people during my life ever (oh, and side note to the ladies: the men of Rennes get an A+ in my book. Or is an A++ possible?)
2. The population of Rennes hovers slightly above 200,000 inhabitants, with roughly 60,000 students. 
3. As a result of the abundant number of young people in the city, there is always something going on in city center, particularly around the rue de la soif, a road made up solely of bars and clubs that are packed basically every night of the week. 
4. Rennes has a temperate climate, as it is near the ocean, but not too far north. Thus, there are never temperature extremes or sporadic snow showers in the middle of May like there is in Colorado. 
5. Bretagne (Brittany to English speakers) actually has a song dedicated to its food. This food is no less than the galette-saucisse, basically a savory crêpe wrapped around sausage. You can listen to this beautiful piece of art in the video following.
6. In accordance with number 1, scarves are not optional. They are must. And it is required that they be as colorful/fluffy/eye-catching as possible. 
7. Also, sweaters. 
8. French women do not wear an extraordinary amount of make-up. Indeed, French men like their women to be as naturally beautiful as possible. Red lipstick is basically not a thing here.
9. We do not talk about Normandie here. If asked whether you are from Normandie, it's probably safer that you lie. 
10. Lunch time and after-work hours are to be respected. You know the stereotype that the French love their vacation time? Well, all stereotypes are founded in at least a little bit of truth!! ;)
11. Administrative work in France is a hot mess. I don't even know how many hours I have spent waiting in line to get something done for school or the bank to just have to do it all over again the next day. 
12. The traditional alcoholic beverage in Bretagne, unlike the wine we associate with France as a whole, is cider!
13. Whenever you run into a French friend in town, never forget to faire les bises, or exchange light kisses on each side of their face. In some regions of France, one kiss or even six can be exchanged at one time. In Rennes, two to four are the most common amount. 
14. Every Saturday morning, Rennes has an absolutely massive marché, or Farmer's market, in the Place des Lices. See some pictures below!

Seafood, of course. It's Bretagne! 

Mmmm pastries. 

Mmmm cheese. Don't ask me how much I bought. 

Farmers' market on steroids. 

I could go on forever and ever about all the fun things I have learned since being here, but my blog post would probably turn into book and, before you knew it, I'd be 80 and would have forgotten what I was writing about anyway. 

My classes start next week, and I am a mixture of excitement and nervousness! Tonight, I am going with my wonderful friends to the ciné en plein air, or, in other words, a movie on the lawn. Afterwards, we may sortir and see what adventures await us on the rue de la soif! :)

Love to you all!! Bises!

D

P.S. I have attached a little map of the Bretagne region for those of you who still aren't quite sure where I am located in France. Rennes is in the light blue region to the far east of the picture! :)