Until, that is, I realised that my friends would quite probably be stranded at Lyon airport...which would be assuming they could still catch their flight if the airport staff were on strike. Fortunately, we found a private bus company and they arrived in perfect time for a good old protest.
"Why are they on strike?" someone asked. Good question. The banners being enthusiastically waved around started to answer the thought, and then didn't stop. I've not seen such a barrage of complaints since the local council back home decided to change to twice-weekly bin collections.
The teachers were there to protest about school reforms.
The nurses were there to protest about medical reforms.
The unemployed were there to protest about being unemployed.
The employed were there to protest about the crisis.
The Socialists were there to protest about capitalism.
The capitalists were there to protest about socialism.
The greens were there to protest about abuse of the environment.
Even the association of interpretaive artists was there with its handmade sign.
We were there for the show! And what a show we had. A first class view from the top floor of Galeries Lafayette, then soaking up the carnival atmosphere as people handed out balloons; played the guitar, cranked out songs and met long-lost friends all around us. I began to see why the French were so enthusiastic about these manifestations. We left before the fireworks and an enormous procession around town, but the sound of chanting followed us round the streets as we clutched our propaganda and went in search of Les Eléphants....
1 comment:
Definitely a masterpiece of French culture - I'm glad you could get a taste of it! And I'm sure that by now you understand why everyone loves strikes!
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