Week 11: Prolongé

As in grève encore prolongée, the subject line of the most recent email received from our advisor at school here. Strike extended again. Until next Monday, bien sûr. Well, you already know how I feel about that (if you are a loyal reader), so I won't talk about it anymore. Though it really is hard to talk about anything else. I haven't done anything as exciting as travel to North Africa, and nothing nearly as exciting as making and eating a huge cookie (again- have you been a loyal reader?)

Now I go to school to try to study a bit at the library there and also to get lunch (because it's good and 2.50 euros) but of course not to go to any class. Some new graffiti appeared on campus today, and we also happened to get there when they were re-voting about the grève. A lot of people voted, though I didn't get a shot of all their hands up.


I noticed one of my teachers leading the vote (wearing the sunglasses). He's supposed to be teaching me about American Civilization right now!


There was an anti-police sentiment in the graffiti today- not totally sure what that's about besides the police = The Man. This one is pretty funny- "We want to study so we won't end up being policemen." Notice the - now unreadable - school map.


And finally, "Police everywhere, Justice nowhere. Free (as in liberty, not as in price) and open university for all!"

My host parents told me to write something up about the grève to give to my profs at home. Unfortunately, I really don't think my History major advisor wants to give me credit for being there when history was made.

Terrible news received today. They may start classes up on April 15th again, in which case they would cancel our spring break. I already bought 100 euros worth of train tickets for spring break. I really, really hope that this doesn't happen or at least that my tickets are refundable. If I do get to take my planned spring break, we will being going to Basque Country (Bayonne, San Sebastian), Provence (Aix-en-Provence, Avignon), and the Riviera (Nice, Monaco) for about 3-4 days each. I am so excited and will be so sad if I can't go!

I'll try to achieve something during Week 12 so I don't have to write another bummer blog entry, but right now I'm looking forward to a week of more café going, pain au chocolat eating, and complaining about the grève. Anyway, bisous!