Striking, protests and good food. How very French.

More protests than hot dinners

When it comes to protesting, the French win every time, hands down. This week marks the billionth (or what feels like the billionth) national strike. 1 in 4 petrol stations have run dry, protesters have blocked all of France's twelve oil refineries, schools have been closed, shops looted (Lyon) and the public transport system is temperamental at best. All because Monsieur Sarko has decided to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62 and the full state pension age from 65 to 67. Probème?

Actually, oui. According to my teacher, it's not so much the proposals that are making protesters chant like angry French people who haven't had a cigarette for an hour but Sarkozy's unwillingness to negociate/ discuss the matter. 'Il est trop autoritaire' said someone in the staff room today. 'And history has proved that the French don't get on with authoritative figures. Look what happened to Louis XVI'. Well said.

Aaaaah, the Revolution. I was wondering how long it would take before someone mentioned the French Revolution (23 days, if I'm correct). Can't get away from it. The vast majority of teachers in my school haven't been striking, although one of the P.E. teachers who did strike yesterday chose fishing over protesting. When asked if he travelled far to fish, he replied 'Non- pas d'essence' (no petrol). Ha.

So on a selfish note, I hope these strikes calm down soon (the rents are visiting next week and I'm going to Paris in a week and a half). The novelty of seeing daily protests has now officially worn off, I would like you all to shut up now and accept that Sarkozy is an idiot. That's what we do in Britain.

Food, glorious food

When it comes to food, the French win every time, hands down. On Sunday night, Jackie and I went to a soirée where we had raclette. Basically, everyone has a petit dish which you fill with cheese and put under a grill thing. When the cheese has melted, you pour it over potatoes, meat, vegetables, tomatoes, etc so everything is all mushed up and covered in cheese then eat! Was a proper French experience- very sociable meal and très bon.

Raclette

The food is also très bon at school- all the teachers eat together at lunchtime and it's always a three course meal with bread! It's no wonder there are so few fat French people- the cantine food is fresh- lots of salad and fish/chicken with vegetables. It's so sociable as well. Jamie Oliver would be well impressed. No need to come to France Jamie, they were well ahead of you...

Jackie and I went to Metz for the day on Saturday which (despite the rain) was a good'un. After a couple of hours in the brand new Pompidou Centre, we headed into a lil' café for a tarte de Lorraine and cider. Could get used to this. Also went to the cathedral, the FRAC (modern art gallery) and saw a LOT of protesters. It was like a war zone- flares and lots of angry chanting.

Lessons learned this week: the French protest even more than I had previously thought, Brian will be in the kitchen for the foreseeable future (the teachers even brought it up over lunch yesterday).