Kinda Depressing Here...

Everyone I meet that lives here in Paris is complaining about the bad things that are happening right now. 

Strikes
Demonstrations
Terrorist Attacks
Bad Weather

When will it end? 

This isn't just friends talking, it's complete strangers.  I was in the vet's office with Emma today.  A woman came out with the same breed and we talked for a few minutes. At the end of the conversation she reminded me that Paris isn't always like this, we'll have to live through it.  I agreed. 

Then the vet said basically the same thing, almost apologetic.  

It's pouring rain right now.  Pouring, not just rain.  It's June 16. Isn't it supposed to be getting sunny?  It's not even really warm.  At least when it rains, the demonstrations aren't as big.  Who wants to run around demonstrating in the driving rain. 

When there's a strike the buses don't run as often, so we have to take the metro.  Now, on the metro, I look at every person in the car.  As the train is pulling up, I look into each car and do a quick assessment of terrorist threats.  If someone looks a bit odd and has a big backpack or suitcase, I pass on that car.  I haven't sunken so far into the fear zone that I let that metro train go by and take the next one, although I've considered it. 

OK, now it's sunny.  What's that all about?  Now I have to take my sunglasses, my umbrella and wear sensible shoes just to go out.

Trash Strike

In addition to rolling transportation strikes and demonstrations, higher levels of security and the normal bureaucracy here, we are now having a trash strike in my neighborhood.  This is on rue Vaugirard at rue Cassette.  The street was blocked for repair work.  Immediately homeless immigrants set up shop (maybe 7 of them) on the sidewalk.  Now everyone must be dumping their trash here.  There's plenty of trash on the sidewalk too.  It's starting to get warm here and the trash has been out for days.  The inevitable leaks are starting and making the sidewalk pretty gross. 

I hope it's over soon.  It is really hard to walk a dog in this kind of mess and I'm afraid to open my windows on the street side of the apartment.