Vide Grenier on Labour Day

May 1 is the jour de travail or Labour Day in most industrialized countries. The CGT, the first of the five major trade unions and the second largest in terms of votes. Labour is a major force in France. There's a concept...the workers have a right to speak about conditions, pay, holidays. France is greve (strike) crazy, but it might be why overall they have good vacations and sick pay policies and safe working conditions. And in recent studies as reported here productivity in Europe is really, really good even with good vacations, sick policies, etc.

The CGT did cut ties with the French Communist Party (and in France people don't go hysterical at the word communist. One can see their candidate posters in any election without stigma.)

Here the syndicate members parades down la rue de La Republique accompanied by music.

Even this pup participated in the parade, although I think if he were asked what his political beliefs were he might speak out for biscuits and cuddles for all dogs. He might have an anti cat stance because most are bigger than he is.

May 1 in Argelès is also one of the largest vide greniers (empty attic) in France. Hundreds of people set out their wares of just about everything imaginable. Some are professionals, but many of our neighbours were set up to rid themselves of things that they no longer need.

We bought:

• Pots and pans--a complete set of five and temperature controlled lids. No Teflon or any of those dangerous chemical linings along with a recipe book 100 Euros*
• A new lettuce dryer half the price of the one I bought five years ago for 1 Euro. I happily handed over my 50 centimes. Now both the nest and warren have lettuce dryers
• A peasant style blouse 1 Euro
• 15 DVDs both classic French and US films 45 Euros including 8 Femmes, a film I really, really, really wanted Rick to see.
• 6 mugs with stand 10 Euros

Rick and I are looking for bikes. He knows I need a smaller one than those we've seen. However, his suggestion of this tiny, tiny trike,was probably a bit over the top, or maybe under the top.

No need to add this penguin to my penguin collection.

As we wandered around the streets, we stopped for sandwiches (ham for him, Catalan sausage for me).

We ran into people we knew, stopped at one house for coffee where two more people joined us and others popped their heads through the open doors to say hi. 

And the best part...I doubt if we will need to go shopping for months and months and months and months...We've all the small things we need. I don't think we need anything else for a long, long, long time.

1 Euro=US$1.38