Friday, October 15, 2010

Business As Usual In France


For a while now I've been thinking that I wanted to sneak in a little vacation this month, after all, I've only taken one week off during the last 12 months.  For some reason, this particular Autumn, I've been thinking of travelling to Paris for a little antique shopping and museum going.

But, Paris as the rest of France, is on strike.
This isn't a little greve where the metro shuts down for 6 hours, this is a major strike.

Don't the French do this about once every decade or so?
I understand that a big part what this is about is the raising of the retirement age from 60 to 62.
Yes, that is certainly devastating, for the French.
And as we all know France, the idea if not the actual country, is all about quality of life.
Who wouldn't want to retire to a life of pastis and tarot at their country house at the age of 60?

Last night I had dinner with a group of  friends who travel often.  One was just back from Paris, another from London, and another had just returned from two months in Australia. She raved about how wonderful the quality of life is there. 
So now I'm starting to think to myself, maybe that 20 hour plane ride over the Pacific wouldn't be so bad, if Australia was on the other side of it....
And on that topic, thank you to Faux Fuchsia my favorite Australian blogger for mentioning BHB on her blog. If you are not already reading her blog, you need to start reading it today. As she would say, run don't walk.
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10 comments:

Karena said...

Hmmm well if you do not go to France....

I have a Luxurious New French Giveaway on my site....Come and enter!!

Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

David Toms said...

OK Belle, I am going to be a little biased here. As much as I love all the Paris' and the Londons of the world there is no place like home! Australia is wonderful,(not only because I am from there)There is a little bit of everything for everone and the lifestyle is perfect! Besides it is only 14 hrs from LA, so I have just you saved 6 hrs which might help you make a decision!

Belle de Ville said...

Thanks Karena for letting us know about the giveaway.
David...only 14 hours. I can handle that flight...I think.

Faux Fuchsia said...

Thankyou for the shout out! You should definitely come to Australia-Good enough for Oprah and her Audience- good enough for you! The only thing is it's about to get hot, really hot.

I'm going to Brittany in France in about 3 weeks and the strike had better not upset my plans. Or else. Because I've never been and I'm not likely to go back soon. Fingers and toes.

Don't let the 20 hour flight frighten you- Australians think nothing of flying to Europe which takes a lot longer than 20 hours. If only we weren't so isolated...

Enjoy your weekend.

LPC said...

And I feel that FF and BdV are a match made in heaven so there's that...

Laguna Beach Fogey said...

The French riot...while the Americans bend over, grab ankles, and take it time again and again and again and again.

Who's the bigger fool?!

The US needs an enormous dose of French revolutionary spirit in this country, complete with guillotines and firing squads. I volunteer to polish the blade and wield the rifles.

Incidentally, I've been encountering increasing numbers of Americans moving to Australia, or thinking of doing so (!!).

Style At Every Age said...

They want to do the same thing with retirement age here, up to 65 for women instead of 60, what a joke! Forget Paris, do London and we can meet up!

Faux Fuchsia said...

Damn Straight LPC. x

Belle de Ville said...

FF: I'm sure that all will be settled down in another 3 weeks. If not, fly in to Bilbao and drive up from spain. You are going to love Brittany for many reasons, the food especially!
LPC: I have been thinking about going to Australia for years, the problem is that I don't want to got there for a week, I want to spend at least a month there. I wish that I could take a month off.
LBF: I just love the way that you never mince words.
Fab: London is definitely in my future travel plans. I would love to meet up over a nice cup of tea...or a martini!

The Preppy Princess said...

At the risk of sounding cavalier (and I am not, especially on this topic), the volume of strikes/work stoppages accompanied by violence is almost beginning to sound hum-drum, an ongoing occurrence as opposed to an unusual event. And that cannot be a good thing.

Sending you a smile,
tp

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