Tomorrow we go to Paris if the trains are running. The SNCF is on strike. The railroad workers want to protect their right to retire at fifty with full pay. Some say this should change due to the fact that the job is no longer hazardous as it was in the past. The public is apparently against the strike, though their are many supporters still. The public opinion is what matters here in France. That opinion influences the governments actions greatly. This concept is very foreign to Americans who feel controlled by the government / corporations. So the strike may not go on too long. I do hope the older workers atleast get what was promised them years ago and all along unlike so many Americans who are losing their pensions now. It is refreshing and relaxing to be in a country that is run this way full of people who are well rested and seemingly happy. The french have a seven hour work day. The children have long days though. They get out of school at four thirty. They have Wednesdays off, but attend on Saturday. The late hour of release is partly due to the two hour lunch though most of them stay at school for this I am told. I thought we'd see more children. I think we'll have to make a point of spending Wednesdays in the park or at children's lessons so the kids can see more kids. They had lovely pseudo- Thanksgiving here on Saturday. Caroline and Tom got a Turkey and their friends Haigai (sp?-HI GUY) and Annabelle with children came as well as higuy's brother Uri and an american woman who lives nearby with two little brilliant english speaking boys. Was very fun. I also learned from Caroline today that if you have three children like Haigigh and Annabelle do, you receive huge discounts on travel in France. You can pay half fare on trains even when not traveling with the children. They want more french people around I guess, and are willing to pay to make that happen. Seeing as there are no benefits and we don't have residency here, I think I'll just stick with my two filles (girls). Because we are not residents, it costs 25 euros to see a doctor without insurance, which is almost as much as it would cost at home- 40 dollar co-pay with insurance. Medicine is cheaper, though we are currently paying three insurance companies. Two back home that don't do anything for us here except secure our ability to retain insurance in the good ole USA especially for Anja and Caleb since they were denied other insurance. And insurance here for hospitalization or emergency medical care, though I'm not sure either of these are necessary. It's all very confusing and I doubt if either company would do much for us if we were in need especially after seeing, "Sicko" recently. Happy to be here. I think the french live longer because they have less to worry about and get more sleep.