C'est la greve...et la vie francaise!

I've only been in Lyon for 3 1/2 months and the British Airways holiday strike is my already my third transportation greve experience. Socialist Europe is a completely different world than the U.S.! The quality of life is better in so many ways (universal health care, delicious food, easy access to amazing travel destinations) but I'm excited to return to what I believe are non-union basic rights: coffee in at least 12 oz cups, printing at the university (studying for finals is a nightmare), bagels, and unlimited phone usage.

Bar these rights, I would gladly stay in Europe through the airline strike and for much longer. I love it and I've had quite some adventures while studying abroad: Oktoberfest, ice bars, London double decker buses, French Chinese food, Christmas markets, light festivals...

The host family experience was especially interesting. After a rough start, I switched families and now have this adorable one. It was great to be able to share a cultural experience with a true French family. For example, I cook them a "American" meal every week - burgers, Pod-style wasabi salmon, tacos - and they pair a wine from their cellar. But, living with a family definitely a change of the very free lifestyle we're used to Penn. It's like they're your parents...but not really. The other day Tristan (host brother, 16 years old) was caught smoking a cigarette in the yard. Marie (host mom) freaked out and I was the witness of the carnage. 11:30 at night and he's still out? Another freak out. I keep thinking to myself, I'm so glad that when I lost their keys or overcharged their bike share thing or have come back at 6:30 am that I've only been privy to a nice discussion over breakfast and coffee.

Overall, I say the Lyon program is an experience. Strikes, host families, French culture, the episodes here never cease to amuse and open your eyes to another world and "facon de vivre." So the union goes on with the strike? Good for them...they deserve a better pay anyways and I can stay in Europe. For a little longer, at least.