Paris Burning

Thank you to all of you who have written and called to make sure we are safe in Paris. (The almost invisible photo is of the Eiffel Tower at night with the moon to the right.)

Our experience here equals that of our experience in Seattle when there were World Trade Organization riots in downtown Seattle. That is to say, we have been thankfully completely unaffected by any of the disturbances. More than unaffected, blissfully, or you might say, shamefully unaware.

We today finally got our internet connection hooked up at home. We have yet to see English news on tv (also just connected today), likewise we have not found English radio. Thus our only source of information has been the International Herald newspaper, which we've been picking up now and then.

I must confess, Mike called me from Madrid last week to make sure I was ok, and that was the first I heard of riots and car immolation in Paris.

I picked up a copy of La Monde on Monday because of the picture on the front page of police in riot gear and a sea of debris in front of them, which had been used as missiles against the police. I'm struggling with understanding the article - it contains many words not in my dictionary, unfortunately. It tops the headlines along with a story about Avian Flu - a very controversial and high priority topic for the French, or so I'm told.

Unfortunately, I don't yet have much opportunity to get into discussions about immigration, unemployment and racism with the average French person, or Parisien. I wish I did.

I suspect those of you watching US tv or listening to NPR, etc. have much more information and insight into the issues here in Paris today than do we.

Suffice it to say, from a thoroughly insular and selfish viewpoint, I could conduct my everyday business, and have been, without any idea of the problems that are occurring. The only difference I have noticed is an increased presence of police of every ilk (there are several types of uniformed, more or less armed law enforcement groups in France), on the streets and in the Metro. However, one of the first things I noticed when I first arrived in Paris at the beginning of October was how frequently I saw police/uniformed officials milling about. So, now, it is an increase in degree of presence that I've noticed.

The areas most involved seem to be outlying areas, suburbs, if you will, of Paris, and some activity in places in Provence in the south of France. Today, I learned that there has been a curfew (courve-feu in French) declared in certain communities. Troubling.

Strange to be in a community struggling with such serious issues and to be unable to digest or access the information about it. Language.

There is a 10% unemployment rate in France. Among youth, the number is 25%. I can only imagine what the unemployment rate is among immigrants.

So, we are fine, and safe. Now that we have Internet at home, I'll be able to surf for information at a more leisurly pace. Feel free to keep me informed of whatever you might hear or be worried about.

That's all for now. Thanks again for your concern and e-mails.