Welcome to France, aka Land of the Many Strikes. I have never been in a place where so many people care so deeply about changing the retirement age. At first, it was pretty exciting. I remember that day in Beauvais when we came across the people striking, and we all stopped to take pictures, laugh, and hold up Communist Party signs. Now, however, the novelty is wearing off. Quickly. Was it cool that we had all of our classes canceled today due to threats of tear gas? Definitely. Walking in the rain from the gare in Rouen to Place Colbert? Slightly less exciting. I mean, I loved every second of it, but I'm definitely glad that I have the option of taking the bus when I need to. I just imagine public transportation, post offices, and schools being shut down in the United States because of a strike, and immediately start laughing. That would never fly. On one hand, it's pretty cool that the French people have the freedom of grève-ing whenever they want, but on the other hand, it's incredibly obnoxious for people who just want to go about their daily lives. I guess that's the point though, isn't it?
Sidenote: I'm currently loading pictures to Facebook, and every time I check the window to see how much time is left, the number gets higher. Ex: When I started, it said 25 minutes. Ten minutes ago, it said 43. Now, it says 82. Awesome.
But life is beautiful, because I am currently listening to my (autographed) Trombone Shorty CD and imagining being at one of their concerts. I also just walked from Place Colbert to the Gare, and then back up, and I'm really happy about it for several reasons. One - I didn't get lost. I'm having this amazing streak of having a wonderful sense of direction in France, and I really hope I don't lose it when I get back home. I'm loving the confidence that comes with knowing where I'm going. Two - It was (kind of) exercise. I mean, I'm in France and the French would consider that exercise, so I'm going to call it exercise too. It was a solid hour of walking at a fast pace, half of it up a sizable hill. Okay, well it's better than nothing, and it made me feel happy. Three - It was actually pretty beautiful. From the Mont Saint Aignan area of the walk, you can look down and see the city of Rouen below you, and it's gorgeous. Especially when I was walking back up the hill at around 7pm, I could see the sunset and it was so pretty. Long story short: I'm walking whenever I can into and out of the city. I loved it.
So, now it's catch-up time. The day before yesterday was useless. I did nothing except lie in bed and recover from my Paris trip.
Yesterday was slightly more eventful. I got out of bed, had a slight confrontation (that's not really the right word, but I don't know how to describe it without having to write the entire story) with my host mom/landlord, and then went to unlock the Fac for classes. I came back to the apartment, showered, and then headed to Art History at the Musee. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was one of our drawing classes, so I spent 2 hours walking around the museum and drawing trees. Yes.
After class, we all went to a cafe to meet Senegalese students who were going to talk to us about our trip to Senegal. I have never been so excited to travel to a place before! After hearing all about Senegal, it sounds like the most amazing place in the world. I cannot wait to be thrown into that culture. Finally, a chance to be culture shocked. In a good way. In a strong way. I only wish the trip to Senegal was more of our semester. Next year - Africa here I come! I have to start looking into programs, because I'm pretty sure SLU only has Kenya. Not that that's a bad thing - it's just that I want to study in a francophone African country. Gahhh SO excited!
So anyway, we talked to them in the cafe for a while, and then everyone started leaving to go home. All of the Americans lived in Rouen, so they just walked home, but I had to take the bus up to Mont Saint Aignan, which was where the Senegalese students were headed. So I walked around with them, we got kabobs and talked, and then all rode the bus together up to Mont Saint Aignan. I LOVE THEM. I have never met people who immediately opened up to me like this before. All of the Senegalese students were so excited to talk to us and get to know us, and it was amazing getting to meet all of them. We all can't wait to have an African-American party when we get back from Senegal. I will definitely have to work on my Wolof before then. It's pretty pathetic right now.
Today, the entire country was in greve mode, so I walked to Emily's house where we "studied" and "planned our trip to Greece" AKA ate obscene amounts of Nutella, watched ANTM, uploaded pictures, and talked. It was greatly needed though, even if we didn't get much accomplished. I loved every second of it.
And so, here I am now, hanging out in my room not speaking to my "host mom" as usual. It's not that she's not a nice person; it's just that our arrangement is more like a landlord-renter relationship than a host-mother-host-daughter thing. I don't even call her my host mom to the other American students. I mean, I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing - it's just a lot different than what the others are dealing with at home.
So now I'm still listening to Trombone Shorty and dreaming of being at a concert right now. I miss Bonnaroo (which Trombone Shorty played BY THE WAY!!) You know - I think I actually remember going through the program in a circle one day, and someone being like "Haha. I'm gonna go to Trombone Shorty" as a complete joke, because -- well, what a silly name. I feel like such an idiot looking back on that. But I mean, what a cool place to discover a musician - in a tiny jazz club in Paris. Fucking awesome. And now I'm going to see him in Baltimore, so no worries :)
I've also been getting pretty homesick these past few days. It's not really in a sad way though - it's hard to explain. I guess it's just that the happiest thoughts of my day are thinking about going home for Christmas, being in Maryland for the winter, sitting by the fireplace, drinking coffee with my mother, and verbally abusing my father. Doing Bikram yoga every day and hanging out with Rocco, going sledding, going out to dinner and watching movies with Alec, just being home. I love my family so much. They really mean the world to me. I am so lucky to have the family that I have. I honestly don't know anyone in the world who has the relationship with my parents that I do with mine. I know that they probably have a few parenting regrets (though I can't think of what they would be - but everyone has regrets), but I feel so strongly that they are the best parents in the world. My brother is pretty freaking amazing too. Not many people can say that their siblings are their best friends, but I can. Not to mention, Rocco is the best, most talented, most hilarious kid I've ever met (even if he may not truly be a kid anymore). And I don't even have words for how great Alec has been throughout my semester abroad. I couldn't ask for someone more selfless and supportive. I've seen firsthand how relationships can crumble when one person is abroad, and I am so lucky to have such a strong and loving one with Alec. And THIS is why I can't wait to get home sometimes. I have the most incredible people in the world waiting there for me!
Only 2 minutes left on the Facebook upload!! And then I have to upload the Paris pictures . . . This internet connection will be the death of me. At least I have the sweet power of music to keep me going.
I hope you're all having a beautiful day. It's almost 9pm now, so I guess it's about time to start studying for my Africa test. Ughh.
Bisous!
-Josie
Josepini, the payroll tax in the United States is about 15%. In France, it is 45% -- HUGE, HUGE, HUGE difference. If we were taxed at that strangling rate and then the benefits we had contributed to during the decades of our working lives were altered just when we approached the age at which they would kick in, Americans wouldn't just strike and inconvenience people trying to get from Point A to Point B. We would riot and loot, talk about impeachment and instigate homegrown terrorism. It's a good thing the French are more civilized than we are. ; )
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