Local host
I was a bad guest this time, as I basically just slept the night on B.’s comfortable couch and even used the short time I spent in Toulouse to go meet someone else. But we still managed to talk a bit in the evening and morning.
B. works in a construction company as the boss of the administrative department, which means he’s working with computers and women all the time, so he doesn’t have one at home. He’s an avid skier, spending most of winter weekends in nearby Pyrenees, and a traveller who had recently discovered the joys of Hospitality Club in the Baltics. He hates traffic jams and like me, that’s not all he does about them, but also plans to reduce them by selling the car and getting around the town by bicycle or maybe scooter, especially as the way between his flat and job is nice and safe enough. Fortunately for me, getting rid of the car was still in the future, so he was able to give me a ride in the morning to a petrol station on the highway ring.
Local troubles
As many other places around France, Toulouse saw its share of violence in autumn 2005. It started over a week later than in Paris, but after that it was one of the main centres of unrest, with dozens of cars, at least 2 buses and a few buildings set on fire, and for a day the city bus network completely stopped as drivers protested against the aggression. A part of the underground line was also closed down.
A much worse incident occurred in September 2001, when a chemical factory exploded, resulting among other consequences in 30 deaths, many buildings so damaged that they had to be pulled down and supposedly 2/3 of the city’s windows shattered.
Studying in Toulouse
Considering the size of town and the aeronautical industry, it’s no surprise that Toulouse hosts a number of high-quality engineering schools. The costs are of course lower than e.g. in Paris, which all together results in 2nd biggest university campus in France according to Wikipedia. The best thing is probably that there’s a host of opportunities for some practical experience during your studies compared to many other French and European universities (not to speak about Slovenia).
M. was quite surprised when he started his studies in France, as he hadn’t known the school is somehow linked with the military. It doesn’t show much, except during first two weeks, when the older students tend to get into commanding mood. At least in hindsight nothing particularly outrageous, but still too much for some tender souls who apparently reckon it will last till the end of ther studies.
More about local sports
Both the rugby club Stade Toulousain, one of the most successful rugby teams in Europe, and the football club Toulouse FC (with a fair bit of luck) finished third this year in the respective French championships. The latter thus got a place in the qualifying stage of the UEFA Champions League, while the former as always qualified for its rugby version. Football proved more dangerous at least for the mayor, who injured his ankle while celebrating the victory. In autumn Toulouse will be one of the host cities of Rugby World Cup.
More local news since the previous post (links in French)
Cité de l’espace celebrated its 10th anniversary. The second metro line was inaugurated, with apparently very nicely decorated stations (notice the mayor’s crutches). It also brought along a comic book and an exhibition in the Roman museum, showing what the archaeologists found during excavations. In summer the city will host a summer festival.
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