The country is on strike today. Not the countryside, but the entire country of France. We aren't as affected in Paris as in other parts of the country. Particularly in the south. It is interesting to be in an environment where "union" is not a dirty word and where even those who don't strike for the whole day will strike for a few hours in solidarity, and will be very vocal about supporting the strikers. People don't shy away from demanding better here.
The strike is due to a general displeasure with the condition of things, economically. Much like in the US, people are losing their jobs left and right, the cost of living has skyrocketed. The cost of food has nearly doubled. People who have jobs are upset because their pay is not going up in accordance with the cost of living, and their benefits are being squeezed. Others are striking because there is a shortage of housing in the cities (particularly in Paris). Everyone has a reason and they all join together. There is no sense of "well, that's their issue and it's not my issue so I'm not participating". It's really kind of amazing. There is a general social culture of all-of-us-together when it comes to these things, and it's really affective. By this evening the news was already talking about the gov't convening talks about what to do to improve the conditions. That fast. The strike wasn't even over yet!
Most of the city just stayed home from work, not wanting to bother with the transportation running at half-capacity, and so the city was extra quiet. And running at half-capacity did mean a longer wait, but by longer I mean - usually I wait 2 minutes or less for a train. Today I had to wait nearly 7 minutes. OMG. =) In Boston, on a normal day I'd wait 15.
In other news, a brief update of my housing situation:
The woman in the white apartment, with the white floors, and the white chairs, and white walls, and white furniture... and two adorable daughters, whom I thought I would be moving in with has gone wishy-washy on me. I have a really bad taste in my mouth now because she keeps delaying giving me the green light. I've been to see the apt 2x and she keeps saying there is another candidate that she is scheduled to see later in the week that she wants to see before making a decision. I'm a bit annoyed, as I am sure you will all understand, as I was of the understanding that if I said I wanted it, it was a done deal. And I need to move on Sunday. Not much time between now and then. So now I am scrambling to find another place, because if she is this hesitant, and after all this stringing me along, I'm not so interested. I have a bad feeling about it now.
So that's where it stands. I may be able to stay in the place I am in until Monday or Tuesday. But really not longer than that. And with the hours ticking away rapidly, I still don't know where I will be going to when my time here, with John and Marylee has expired.
Ouch, these thoughts make my shoulders hurt...
time for bed.
de Paris, France: A plus, mes amies!!
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