The first of May in France is a very big day, no matter where you might be. It's not the first time we have been here on this occassion and we were aware that tempers can get frayed and emotions run hot so, in view of recent troubles we steered clear of what we thought might be trouble spots. It did remind us, however, of last year when we were on a tour bus with mostly Americans going into the town of Limoges. Americans have great difficulty with the European Left and particularly its relationship with Russia or the old Soviet Union. We remembered the comments and cries of horror when our American travellers saw that the marchers in that lovely town were carrying banners with the hammer and sickle insignia. "My God, they're Communists," we heard one of the Americans commenting.
It is a tradition on May Day when visiting family and friends to take a small bunch of Lily of the Valley (Les Mugets). At our local station a small bunch was available for one Euro (medium bunch for two Euros). Toward the centre of the city the prices for the same bunches had doubled and trebled. Selling the flowers seemed to be something that everybody and his brother was doing. Lots of children were selling home-grown bouquets trying to make a bit of pocket money.
Another cold and windy day and because it was May Day most things were shut. We made a short day of it when it started to rain.
1 comment:
You are so naughty to have directed me to your own French blog! I'm exceedingly jealous to know that you've been able to make it there three years in a row! La Fête du travail is probably my favorite French holiday, as I love lily of the valley.
(I think I've remedied the contact information in my profile now, hopefully it will be sufficient.)
Post a Comment