Grève!

Since last week, there's been a huge stike (grève) in the whole country of France.  It's about the retirement/social security reform.. The government's changing the retirement age from 60 to 62, and people are just not happy at all.  The manisfestations (demonstrations, basically) are not every day, but there's been about 3 or 4 of them.  Here's what happens:  the bus system is all out of whack, as in less buses than usual and at random times.  Also, there's a big march/parade in the afternoon through downtown, with people yelling things and carrying signs and all.  Other consequences of the strike: the Cité des Arts where I take an art class on Friday evenings is closed, the city library is closed (both of which annoy me very much!) and there's a higher likelihood of vandalism and general craziness in town.  For example, today when I was coming home from school, I had to avoid the staute of elephants (right in the center of downtown pretty much) because there were people all over and we could smell the remains of some gas, I think tear gas, in that area.  Don't worry everyone, I was safe and all!  I was with a boy from my class, and we avoided the big mess.  Also, I go to a pretty boring private schoo:  In front of the public schools, there are riots a lot during the strike, where the kids use the strike as an excuse to light trash on fire in the street, and generally do bad things.  There's police teams with helmets and shields!  Public school teachers also go on strike, so they don't have school usually when this is going on.  Remember though:  that's not where I go to school, it's a ways away.  In my school, we don't even hear the parade when the manifestation starts.  Pretty peaceful, as far as high schools go.  

Hope everyone had a good homecoming week/is enjoying the football season!
 

Eggplant!

Hello!  I just had to pop in and let the world know.. I made eggplant casserole last night!  With my American measuring cups that I got in my package!  They measure things in grams or liters here..  But anyways, I made eggplant casserole!  I know my family at least is appreciating this fact..  It turned out good, not exactly like normal (a different cheese), but good.  It only cooked about 20 minutes in our oven.  And between 6 people, (host grandparents are visiting) we ate the whole thing!  They liked it. 

In equally exciting (but in a different way) news, last weekend I had a YFU weekend with the other exchange students in this region.  It was really great to see everyone again!  We spent most of the time just talking to each other, which I liked.  We were there Saturday overnight til Sunday, and Sunday we ate the desserts with our lunch-everyone had brought a dessert from their home country.  I brought scotcheroos!  The desserts were so good, but I think everyone ate too much.. too much sugar, but sooo good!

St. Gervais and the Markets

Hello everyone!  It's been a busy week.  Last Thursday through Friday I went to St. Gervais with my class for a philosophy seminar.  The guest philosophy speaker was probably really intellectual about philosophy, but I hardly understood anything he said.  It was a good time to be with my classmates though and get to know people better.  We also saw some cool Baroque churches from the 1700s and a newer church that was full of artsy stuff.  I gave an oral report about the history of stained glass, which I think people understood.  St. Gervais is known for being really close to Mont Blanc, which is the highest mountain in Europe and covered in snow all year.  Blanc=white, it's very logical!  So anyways we got to see the really pretty mountain.  We also visited a place where 'sisters' (the religious kind) live and people can go there to relax, go to religious sessions led by the sisters, etc.  We had a few hours of Q&A with the sisters about their beliefs and life, then ate supper.  Supper was really good, and lots of food!  First course was a soup, like chicken noodle but without chicken or noodles.  That leaves basically broth and veggies.  Next we had spaghetti and lettuce salad, which was awesome.  Spaghetti, I missed you!  Then we had cheese or yogurt, then a fruit mix (like fruity applesauce).  It was delicious!
 
Last weekend, I went to two markets: the normal one on Saturday morning to buy fruit, veggies, cheese, and meat; and the Braderie to buy..anything!  The market was cool to see all the different types of fresh food-very cultural as well!  The Braderie was awesome.  Think of it like a high class flea market that happens twice a year, that is with actually good, new things that you would want to buy, all over downtown.  We're talking about LOTS of vendors!  Clothes, purses, shoes, books, jewelery, makeup, pretty much anything, and for a good price.  I got some clothes :)  And there was lots of cool food too.  There's 'barbe à papa', which means Dad's Beard, which is..cotton candy! I had a kebab, which in French means a bread shell filled with rotisseried meat mixed with onions or something.  It was pretty good but hard to eat! 
 
Au revoir!