There is no end in sight for the transport strike in France, with more large protests expected in the days ahead. The government says reforms to the pension schemes are crucial and it won’t back down. The unions are vowing there will be no truce (even for Christmas) unless the government withdraws plans for the reform. So I find myself in the midst of the biggest French strike in 24 years. C’est la vie. Not so impactful for me unless I want to leave Paris (which I will do soon!). But for shop owners and workers, life is very difficult. One local news site I read talks of people sleeping in their office or classroom, because it is easier than trying to get home and back again. Another says people are walking 3+ hours home after work, because there is no other option (keep in mind it is winter). Bike and scooter rental companies will be making a lot of money right now. There is a long history of downing tools and striking in this country, supposedly more so than any other EU country. This fiery spirit can be traced back through centuries and a famous revolution. It became legal for workers to strike in 1864 and since then it has become common for strikes and protests to bring the country to a halt. Only 8% of French workers are part of a union, but they tend to be in sectors like transport, teaching, health and energy, so when there is a strike it massively impacts life for everyone. So this is how it is in France. The national anthem says ‘grab your weapons and form your battalions citizens, let’s march, let’s march’. Even though I packed fairly light, I don’t fancy marching out of Paris with my suitcase, and I have a room that will be ready for me in Strasbourg on Wednesday night (400km away and 4 days walk according to Google maps 🙂 ). Trains and buses are running inconsistently, and there is no guarantee yours will be ok even if you have a ticket. Flights are running at 80% today, but air traffic controllers and ground crew will strike in the next two days, and maybe for longer. Some highways and petrol stations are blockaded, so driving yourself is tricky unless you know the area. So I have booked a private car to pick me up just before dawn on Wednesday morning, and whisk me out of the city. Fingers crossed.