On Tuesday the red and the yellow vests join forces for an almighty march across Paris it’s only Saturday but I am scouring websites trying to obtain information. There seems to be clear delineation between supporters and those against. There are also protests on today that are the ongoing Saturday voice, but Tuesday will be big!
Its the workers protesting who will be effected and with the 1975 cut off date most of the politicians making these laws will be secure in the current system. I think its problematic when deals are sealed without the voice of those who will inevitably be wearing the results. We see this over and over and there must be a way of social reforms being made by those that its destined to effect. if I get to Bastille/ Canal Saint-Martin I should have a good view point and an easy get away. The march will be just over the half way point there, and they then continue to Nation.
Hôtel de Ville
I feel overwhelmed by the world this morning. Its been good to not be woken by machinery so Im making the most of the silence (well quieter) and hanging in bed, reading writing and drinking coffee. The world seems irrational and Im reading much despair and frustration on the socials. I want my brain to process and log then file somethings to make some more room. I am emotionally and physically fatigued and am trying desperately to find a way to reset and re-engage. My outer shell is peeling off, drying out and cracking, I feel that im leaving flakes all over the place and if I continue ill just be caught by a breeze and completely disappear. I am not this person. I need to fight..I am just so fucking tired. emotions seem to just escape through the cracks in waves. Im debating wether its better to let them crash or hold them back. fuck what will help move on and out of this. such self introspection and indulgence I know I cant shift it. Im in fucking Paris in autumn its beautiful get your shit together Wigston!
I open the windows and let some cool air in. it brings with it a violin playing a jig and I smile and get dressed. Ride this one caz and get the fuck outside!!
..and as soon as I do I feel the anxiousness vaporise. It okay, its better than okay its awesome..lets stroll. and I do. I cant deal with the Saint Paul strip anymore I do anything to avoid it so I cross the water and past Notre dame with hundreds of people taking pictures (as I have done) of the scaffolding. Back through the latin district its still touristy but the cobbled narrow streets and wooden framed shops are so nostalgic (for a time I have no knowledge on*)and beautiful. and you cant physically fit thousands of tourists here! I head past the old book shop that had been recommended and realise many have had the same hint and what once may have been a secret nook has now got red velvet temporary balustrades to keep the hordes in check! I let the light and the buildings show me the direction and I end up on a route i took a couple days prior. I cross the road to try a different perspective. Theres lots of english being spoken and much of it with an american accent it cuts through my now meditative state. I remember Hôtel de Ville was building a Christmas wonderland the last time i walked past there were hundreds of trees horizontal and wrapped in plastic netting; a spruce holocaust. The light is beautiful and theres plenty of people taking it in but its not packed possibly because transport to the city isn’t running.
I need to be more affirmative in my daily plans and just expect trains to be down I keep waking up hoping I can get out of this end of town but its unlikely its going to be easy during the rest of my stay so my aim is to get a bit more pro-active and less whimsical (definately not a term ive ever used to describe myself before) Id been saving a few places to visit with Mat but if im stuck here I might as well tick off some boxes! I stroll back and spray my new perfume on the heater filling the room with overpowering scent ( i hope I cant get rid of the smell before Wayne and Jacqui take over lol) I open the windows and sit and write…