After nearly a month in Spain writing disjointed emails to various parties, I decided to consolidate and make me a blog. Wooo! Hopefully this method of communication will lead to more frequent postings on my part and easier access on the part of my dedicated fans state-side (ha!). That said, if anyone has suggestions, comments, queries or just wants to say hi, kindly drop me a line via email.
Introductions aside, today, September 29 (Miriam's birthday!) is a 24-hour general strike in Madrid. The impetus behind this strike is a proposed labor reform bill that Prime Minister Zapatero is planning for 2011. The basic arguments against the labor reforms are that they would cut paychecks substantially and lessen job security for government workers. Considering that Spain is rather socialist at the moment, this could affect a huge chunk of people. Also consider Spain's current unemployment rate: 20%. Yikes! The strike is supported by Spain's largest unions, UGT and CCOO, who together represent 2.4 million of the country's 23 million workers. Although the unions wanted to shut down the city completely, this didn't really happen. Things are open-ish, but the metro and buses are only running at 30-50% capacity. So far I haven't been out in the streets, but I think it's going to be a day for hoofing it.
Aaanyway, back to me. I started my internship with Cambridge University Press-Iberia on Monday and I absolutely love it. I was supposed to go back this morning, but the office is largely closed because of the strike. What to do with a free morning? I'm thinking about finding an english-language bookstore and curling up with a good book.
Cheers,
S
Wow, this is great. Keep the posts coming! I gotta say I really wouldn't mind if there was a strike going on in NYC right now which didn't allow me to work.
ReplyDeleteEvan
PS: Happy Birthday Miriam!!!!!
Hey Sofi--great entry. I like your take on Spanish politics/labor strife. Sounds like Evan would like to be a "Ni Ni"--is that the way you spell it?
ReplyDeleteHope the afternoon was uneventful. On the radio this morning (US time) I heard that the policia were tussling with rioters in Madrid.
ReplyDeleteHey Sophie. This is so much fun. I never followed a blog before. Keep it coming!! Stay safe in the streets today. Miss you.
ReplyDeleteHi Sophie, I joined, now we can chat. Robin
ReplyDeleteokay now that you have a blog, start posting pictures!
ReplyDeleteHappy BDay Miriam!
I just looked at your shutterfly photos. So what is Horchata anyway? Is it some kind of malted milk?
ReplyDeleteDear Sophie I cannot wait every day to hear from you. You are a fabulous writer so intertaining and fun. Jiil is now putting me on your Blog. It is thursday morning and my only free day without bridge. I just love it. I wish you could come with us to Israel. Have fun I love you Nana
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should try out for Dancing With the Stars when you get back!!!
ReplyDeleteDearest Sophie what a great writer you are. I love everything you tell us. You look fabulous and one can tell that you are having the time of your life. We are getting ready for our trip and all of us are excited. I am not sure if your parents have told you yet, but we are thinking to travel to Africa on a safari after camp. I mean all of us. We are just looking in to that
ReplyDeleteLove, Nana