On strike!
Some of you may be familiar with the reputation that the French have for calling labor strikes without warning. I lived in France long enough to be very familiar with the strikes, but tonight was the first time in my missionary career here that I was personally affected.
I had to take my car to the garage to be fixed (after the accident last week). I will be in Paris this coming week with a missionary friend who needs a translator/tour guide, so the mechanic offered to fix the car while I'm gone. Admittedly, this is a lot more convenient than any other possibility would be. So I drove over after work today to leave the car before they closed for the weekend.
I handed over the keys, signed some forms, and headed to a nearby bus stop, intending to take the bus home. I'd cleaned out the car and dropped all my stuff at my apartment after work, and researched which bus I'd take, as well as the connections I need to make at other bus stops. I had a book with me, to read on the journey, and a scarf and gloves, in case the bus was cold from the doors opening and closing. I felt very prepared.
Unfortunately, as I stood at the bus stop in the dark, an elderly lady called to me from a car waiting at a stop light. I approached her window. "There won't be any bus coming," she informed me.
"What? Why not?" I'd checked the website for the bus times.
"They're on strike. A 3 day strike. Didn't you know?" She smiled sweetly.
"No. This can't be happening. I just left my car at a garage to be fixed. What am I going to do?"
Her husband muttered, "Take the tram." His voice implied that I was an idiot for asking the question.
"I live in Merignac Capeyron. The tram doesn't go out that far." At this, his wife gave him puppy dog eyes, clearly hinting that they should give me a ride. But he stared steadfastly at the car ahead of him. I appreciated her effort, but didn't dare actually ask for a ride. I muttered again, to myself, "What am I going to do?"
Since I'd so conveniently left all my belongings in my apartment, I didn't have my purse, which meant no cell phone. I don't have anyone's numbers memorized, since they are all in my phone. I had a wallet, a novel, and the scarf and gloves. I was two miles from my apartment and it was forty degrees outside. I didn't see where I had much choice. I've walked two miles before.
I set off and forty minutes later, I reached my apartment. It was actually not a bad walk. I've been exercising more lately, so the walk was good for me. While it was cold, the night was clear and I could see the stars. I spent most of the walk amusing myself with what I would say on this blog about the whole adventure. I spent the other moments reflecting on how good God is, because normally, I would have been dressed much better (including dress shoes), but since we'd been doing inventory today, I'd worn cargo pants and sneakers. I even had on tights and a fleece pullover, under my heavy coat. With the scarf and gloves, I was bundled up warmly. Too warmly for a two mile walk, really. I got hot after 30 minutes.
Also, I was thankful that I'd left my computer bag and gym bag at my apartment. I could've had them in the car, where they normally ride, but before I left for the garage, I thought that would be a hassle to carry home on the bus, so I stopped off at the apartment on my way past it. I thank the Lord, because I can't imagine what would have happened if I'd had them with me tonight.
In fact, when I told him the story, my brother asked me what I would have done if it had been 10 miles away. I promptly answered, "Cried until someone helped me!" I probably would have done the same thing if I had been carrying my heavy computer bag, too.
As it was, I was very cheerful about it. Next week in Paris, I will be walking my legs off with my friend Christy, so this was just good training! Plus, it really could have been much worse.
I do hope though that nothing will be on strike next week in Paris!
I had to take my car to the garage to be fixed (after the accident last week). I will be in Paris this coming week with a missionary friend who needs a translator/tour guide, so the mechanic offered to fix the car while I'm gone. Admittedly, this is a lot more convenient than any other possibility would be. So I drove over after work today to leave the car before they closed for the weekend.
I handed over the keys, signed some forms, and headed to a nearby bus stop, intending to take the bus home. I'd cleaned out the car and dropped all my stuff at my apartment after work, and researched which bus I'd take, as well as the connections I need to make at other bus stops. I had a book with me, to read on the journey, and a scarf and gloves, in case the bus was cold from the doors opening and closing. I felt very prepared.
Unfortunately, as I stood at the bus stop in the dark, an elderly lady called to me from a car waiting at a stop light. I approached her window. "There won't be any bus coming," she informed me.
"What? Why not?" I'd checked the website for the bus times.
"They're on strike. A 3 day strike. Didn't you know?" She smiled sweetly.
"No. This can't be happening. I just left my car at a garage to be fixed. What am I going to do?"
Her husband muttered, "Take the tram." His voice implied that I was an idiot for asking the question.
"I live in Merignac Capeyron. The tram doesn't go out that far." At this, his wife gave him puppy dog eyes, clearly hinting that they should give me a ride. But he stared steadfastly at the car ahead of him. I appreciated her effort, but didn't dare actually ask for a ride. I muttered again, to myself, "What am I going to do?"
Since I'd so conveniently left all my belongings in my apartment, I didn't have my purse, which meant no cell phone. I don't have anyone's numbers memorized, since they are all in my phone. I had a wallet, a novel, and the scarf and gloves. I was two miles from my apartment and it was forty degrees outside. I didn't see where I had much choice. I've walked two miles before.
I set off and forty minutes later, I reached my apartment. It was actually not a bad walk. I've been exercising more lately, so the walk was good for me. While it was cold, the night was clear and I could see the stars. I spent most of the walk amusing myself with what I would say on this blog about the whole adventure. I spent the other moments reflecting on how good God is, because normally, I would have been dressed much better (including dress shoes), but since we'd been doing inventory today, I'd worn cargo pants and sneakers. I even had on tights and a fleece pullover, under my heavy coat. With the scarf and gloves, I was bundled up warmly. Too warmly for a two mile walk, really. I got hot after 30 minutes.
Also, I was thankful that I'd left my computer bag and gym bag at my apartment. I could've had them in the car, where they normally ride, but before I left for the garage, I thought that would be a hassle to carry home on the bus, so I stopped off at the apartment on my way past it. I thank the Lord, because I can't imagine what would have happened if I'd had them with me tonight.
In fact, when I told him the story, my brother asked me what I would have done if it had been 10 miles away. I promptly answered, "Cried until someone helped me!" I probably would have done the same thing if I had been carrying my heavy computer bag, too.
As it was, I was very cheerful about it. Next week in Paris, I will be walking my legs off with my friend Christy, so this was just good training! Plus, it really could have been much worse.
I do hope though that nothing will be on strike next week in Paris!