Thursday, February 28, 2008

Strikes, Strikes, Strikes

Every single day there is a strike. New strikes arise and old ones go on. From transportation workers, to ski station workers, to TV stations, to teachers, to hairdressers. Everyone is upset.
Some of the things people are upset about, I can understand and others I find quite demanding and even things that prevent progress. Change is a concept that people are afraid of here, it seems.
Also, they have finally acknowledged the concept of compensating for overtime work, but company's are complaining about how they don't know how to work it out and how it costs too much.
The whole system is off here. I obviously do not know enough about all of it to really understand, I suppose. All I know is that there is a lot of complaining going on, all the time.
Ah, learning about all these cultural differences. Constantly, constantly learning.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Rainy Day

Wonderful, wonderful weather we have been having lately. Sunday was your typical Spring day - warm sunshine and soft air. It's been an odd winter here. Today, it is raining, but it's not all that cold and Paris is so lovely in the rain.

My friend Erik (seen in photo) came through Paris on his way down to the Alpes. He did some of his studies here years ago and has DJ'd in many clubs. We visited a few of his old haunts in the 5eme. Each of them had awsome underground cellars, created eons ago. This morning we walked through the Luxembourg gardens in the rain. The crisp air felt quite nice and the garden, though barren, was still beautiful.

Above, is the Porte St.Denis, one of the old entryways into Paris.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Le Perche

I went to le Perche for a couple days this week to spend some time with Anne and Chris. I got to see Anne perform in a Dixieland Jazz Band in a little village called Reveillon. I had no idea she could play the banjo so well! It was quite an almost odd experience , listening to Dixieland in the middle of the Perche!
That adorable pooch is Tom-Tom, Anne's friend Virginia's new pup. He's the happiest dog I've ever seen. You can't help falling in love with him...and he's so soft.

I Enjoy

I enjoy the crisp, winter air on my face as I exit the the metro Rennes on Sunday mornings.
I enjoy wandering through the organic farmer's market on boulevard Raspail, surrounded by veggies, fruits, cheeses, fresh fish, honey, and bread.
I enjoy seeing others loving this whole event as much as my mother and I and the vendeurs smiling back at you.
I enjoy seeing the Eiffel Tower as I exit the metro on my way home, standing tall and proud.
I enjoy these little Paris moments.