Vive la grève!

So, only a few days after I arrived in Marseille, I got to see a French strike (grève). After working at the Democratic National Convention this summer, I thought that I had seen some pretty big protests in Denver, but American protests are nothing compared to the French “manifestations”! La Canebière, the main street of Marseille which leads into the city from the Vieux Port, was completely packed with protestors, but it was interesting because it wasn’t only adults – there were whole families, students from elementary through college, and even older retired people, who were all there just to watch like it was a parade! The protestors were singing, dancing, and chanting, while carrying banners and flags…I even saw a group of young students doing the Macarena…I’m not sure how that expresses a concern for the rising unemployment in France…maybe something was lost in translation :) Anyway, it was fascinating because it almost seemed like a celebration, but then I realized that maybe it is a way for the French to celebrate their rights and express their opinions :) It was also kind of cool because in Paris, the strikes can get a little violent and out of control, but they are really calm here in Marseille! At night the protestors just all went home (and probably watched all of the craziness in Paris on T.V.)!

So far I have really enjoyed Marseille and my host family! I’m not quite sure exactly what I expected Marseille to be like, but it really is a mixture of cultures…on my walk to school everyday I pass through narrow streets that remind me of tiny European towns, walk down huge boulevards with buildings that remind me of Paris, and pass by a small North African market! I have a host mom and a host dad who have been so welcoming and helpful…we’ve had some great conversations because they are very interested in my views on American politics. They are also very active…in fact, my first day in Marseille, my host dad took me on a 3 hour mountain bike tour of the Calanques (the mountain range that runs along the coast of France). They’ve also told me all about the good places to ski that aren’t too far from Marseille, so maybe we can try to go skiing while I’m here and I can compare France snow to Colorado snow!

Since all of my classes are in French and our program has a language contract that we will only speak French with our host families and the other students, I’ve been doing (or attempting to do!) everything in French! It’s a little weird, but “au fur et à mesure” (“little by little”…they love this phrase here!), it’s gotten to the point where if I hear something in English (or even as I’m trying to type this!) it feels pretty strange.

Also, here’s a link to a few of my pictures from Marseille and the small towns that my group visited last weekend in the Luberon region!

http://picasaweb.google.com/erichards20/Marseille?authkey=kkrK-nJf6T0&feat=directlink

A plus tard!
Beth :)