We’re so brave over here, taking the brunt of the nasty strikes in the thick of it all.  We console ourselves with the wine, French country villages and the croissants.

This last group of the season truly has had to face some difficulties due to the strike.  I will blog all about it as soon as the tour is complete  – at the end of the week.

As I write this France is putting on a general strike (ie planes, trains, and automobiles, the latter because it’s hard to get gas, postal workers, teachers, buses, even under age students, and truckers who block highways). 

This morning I spent an unpleasant half hour waiting in line (dumb behavior was witnessed all around where usually I’m admiring the French for their reserve and intelligent ways) to get to a gas pump and pumped in my 4 euros worth just to top it off in case a full on shortage really does ensue.  Though, you could say there is already a shortage as all 12 refineries in France are unable to produce or distribute.  However, there are a few stations that are getting their provisions.

This is what it looks like in most stations you drive by this week.

It says “VIDES” on the pumps which means EMPTY.

Despite this we are fully able to isolate ourselves from the nitty reality of it while we carry on with the tour as planned.  In fact it’s going fabulously with declarations from the participants that they are staying in France, and were planning on emailing their husbands with the news.

This is one of our stops yesterday.

You can see a few more pix at the Etsy Vintage Team blog.

I’ll be back soon with updates of the strikes (pray the strikes end this week!) and stories from the current tour – and pictures from my new camera![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]