"C-P-E!!! Non non non!!!"

I bet the people that lived through the second world war continued to hear those warning sirens even after the war had ended just from being used to hearing it. This is me and protesters. I hear them all the time and I never know when it's real or when it's in my head. In my appartment, (we live on the main street taken by protest marches) when i'm studying at the library, at the school where i work... I think i'm going crazy.

Today is "la grève national"-- this means not only are the students STILL protesting, but the entire country's workers have joined in the fight. In my opinion, it's sorta like with the tram drivers, just another reason to not work.


I've heard that an "anti-bloquage" group of students are going to storm the university buildings thursday in order to start classes back up. Who knows what will happen there. Apparently the protesting students are large and angry, they might not have much luck.

The drama continues

I would say this is getting ridiculous but it could only be the beginning. Today, as i was working at Dolly', what do i hear but the sound of angry citizens yelling in the streets, bullhorns, drums and chanting. An enormous parade of protesters were passing right in front of Dollys which lasted for almost an hour. I was cursing myself to have not brought my camara. I feel like i am living this great cultural experience that when i am old i will tell my children about and they will marvel at the crazy french people who are always demanding their rights.

The university is officially blocked until wednesday when we will vote for or against the "bloquage." If i am even allowed to vote- not sure i really count- i will vote against. I'm kinda getting bored and i am not sure what will happen if i continue to miss classes. As i miraculously managed to pass my first semester i'll be a bit put off if dont get the chance to miraculously pass the second.

Lazy tram drivers

So here's a pic from my apt window of the french students protesting. Because of all the protesting, the trams havent been working, making difficult the lives of poor shannon and karina who have to take taxis or walk to get home. We've decided the tram drivers use the protests as an excuse not to work, because honestly, the marching rarely goes near the tracks and if it does, it takes about five minutes to wait for the people to pass. A tram goes from coming every 10 minutes to every 45? I don't think so.

What?! The FRENCH are striking?

So last week was apparently a good week to miss class- the french are striking again. Last year the national workers strike affected me in that there were no trains to go to work. This year, since its the students who are striking, I dont have class. Apparently all the hype started last week (when I was so convieniently on vacation) and some of my classes didnt take place. But I go to class monday morning and lo and behold the doors to my building, yes mine, not the others, are locked with chains and blocked with desks and chairs. I think, okay, I'll get in downstairs. Not happening. Students are hanging out handing out flyers about their cause (to be clarified) and are making sure no one gets in. Rumor has it I wont have class for the rest of this week. Normally I would be jumping up and down at this information, but alas, these classes must be made up and that will probably happen during our much needed revision week. blah.

So WHY are the French students striking? To try to make it short, in France when you get a job you have a few month trial period where your prospective employers can fire you at will. But, once they officially hire you, according to the french socialist society i live in (not really, but kinda in this case) they are basically stuck with you for life. The government is imposing a new law saying that they want this trial period to last a few YEARS instead for people under 26- this means all the graduating students. Until someone gets hired on for real to a job, their lives are quite unstable bc they can be fired at anytime, they cant rent an appt. w/o a contract, etc. (French people, correct me if this is wrong.) So there you go.