The Students are Revolting, Tuesday, 15 December

We woke up this morning to a temperature of -7 degrees. Surprisingly the flat still needs little heating being protected above and on two sides by other flats in the building and getting some heat from the restaurant below. The one exposed side is in a narrow street which probably means that it is a bit warmer (or at least less cold) than it would be on a wider avenue.

Because of the cold we didn't venture too far although we went to get some second-hand books at Shakespeare and Company. When we got off the bus at Place St Michel a demonstration was brewing. It was all very orderly with tons of gendarmes there, marshalls to see that the march stayed where it was supposed to and signs, flags and megaphones. Lots of noise and music to get people going, but very orderly. The TV people were there to cover it. This kind of "political" statement is very French and most of those participating were students from the Sorbonne which is only a street or two away. Very interesting.



When we got home we watched the coverage on the TV. We are getting better at understanding what is said on "le box". Tonight they were requesting people to use as little excess electricity as possible because of the need for it for heating. Whether this will have any impact or not is hard to say. We all know how much good such pleas do in Australia in the intense heat of summer!

By the way, if you wonder what else we do during the day; the answer is that there isn't that much day. This is the bleak mid-winter of the well known Christmas Carol. In the morning it isn't light until nearly 9.00 and the sun sets and darkness covers the land just after 4.00 in the afternoon. Tant Pis!