Basa was actually pretty nervous this week about everything, and she kept warning us about the crazy people that could turn the peaceful strike into chaos. She also tried to advise me on what to do if a picket line blocked my way to class. Pretty much, according to her, we shouldn´t leave the house except out of absolute necessity. And then, after all of these nervous warnings, guess who got to be the first one to leave the house on Wednesday morning??
That´s right, even though some of my professors canceled class due to the strike, I still had my 9AM Economics class. (Another one of my professors even asked the class if it was worth it for him to come to class. When one student said no, he just complied and canceled it for Wednesday. I don´t think anyone was planning on striking, but it looks like Spanish kids enjoy canceled classes just as much as American students!)
However, despite all the hype, I saw hardly any sign whatsoever of anything being different. Honestly, what I noticed most was that the garbage hadn´t been picked up (which disappeared first thing this morning - and I am eternally grateful). Other than that, stores were open, people were in Plaza Mayor, we unfortunate students went to class, and life went on.
Apparently, the bigger cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia) saw more protests, rather than university-centered Salamanca. To tell the truth, I´m a little disappointed that there wasn´t more excitement (Where are the radical college kids?!? Ignore my earlier remark about Salamanca being hardcore.) But at least I survived the huelga of 2010!
(Therefore, madre y padre, I´m safe.)
Between strikes all over Europe and State Department warnings about the threat of terrorist attacks. it is enough to make your parents nervous! Of course, I made my parents nervous travelling to Greece many years ago just two weeks after a military coup! Be safe in your non-Berkeley setting! Love, Dad
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