The already stunningly deep blue sky seems to me to be even brighter this morning. I woke up feeling lighter, a weight had been lifted off of my chest that I hadn’t realized was there. I am really happy–no, I am really, really, really happy that François Hollande was elected the French president yesterday.
Five years ago, I listened to Nicolas Sarkozy’s promises and was thrilled to see that a record number of people turned out to vote. And yet, with the passing of time, I was increasingly disappointed by the “divide and rule” tactics and fear-mongering that ensued. As someone who works in the press, I saw first-hand how he muzzled the editors of some of France’s most important magazines in the name of self-interest. As a foreigner, I felt more and more unwelcome as he chased after the vote of the extreme-right Front National Party, whose ideology is based upon limiting the arrival of immigrants such as myself. Sarkozy dared to say to a fellow citizen “Casse-toi, pauv’con!” (roughly “get out of my way, you poor jerk”) and his ministers could make ‘jokes’ about France’s Arabic population without being reprimanded. The economy worsened without solutions for those in the middle and lower classes while caps on tax hikes were put in place for the wealthiest. The jobless rate continued a steady climb. There hasn’t been much in the way of hope in the air for quite some time now.
So goodbye to all of that.
Today is a day to celebrate!
I’ll leave you with some photos of one of my favorite corners of the Alpilles, just beyond St. Remy. My honey has long been attracted to this tiny chapel and has photographed it many times. I never tire to accompany him as there is always something new in the land, in the light to try and capture…
…including a heart shaped rock, surrounded by stone in the middle of that ancient wall. What a beautiful discovery and it seems somehow very appropriate for how I am feeling today.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
I didn't realize that France had the same reluctance as the US to tax the wealthy. All the better that Hollande won.
Oh Dash, that sucks truly. We waited until Arles got high-speed internet before moving here–really!
I'd be curious to hear how the votes fell in your region…
The wind was blowing like crazy that day–I couldn't resist! 🙂
Well said Virginia, as always. There have been interviews with many folks that "lurched" to the extreme right who admitted as much.
It is gray here today, Jenny, so I hear ya! The gloom was the NUMBER ONE reason why I wanted to leave Paris–it drove me crazy!
Glad you appreciated it Heather–it is just one opinion though–I certainly would never assume to be the "right" one!
Hi Heather, apologies for not commenting recently, have been having broadband problems, Grrr France Telecom!
Monsieur Hollande, has a mountain to climb and one of the most difficult jobs in politics, especially in the current economic climate, I have everything crossed that things will change for the better, only time will tell.
Lovely pictures as usual and I agree with the others, the one of your hair blowing in the wind is superb.
XXX
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Look at your hair doing a shadow dance, love it! I'm glad that you're happy to have the President you hoped for. Ben certainly looks thrilled too, he's so cute!
XX
Debra~
But it's early days yet. Seems that people are lurching both left and right – perhaps it is more about the lurching than anything else? The pendulum of politics, the pendulum of social history come to that.
Yes, of course Obama is what made this country great! Before him we were in darkness! LOL