May Day in France is different from May
Day in the US. Here, in France, it is also Labor Day. And, Labor
Day is taken very seriously here. Everything is shut
down/closed so that everyone with a job can actually enjoy the day.
“Everything” means all stores (including grocery stores, shopping centers,
etc.), all public transportation, all restaurants, you name it – it’s closed.
Definitely a day for celebration!
And, we celebrated May Day at the home of our friends, Dominique and
Roger. We enjoyed another delicious lunch lasting a few hours, with
lots of food and great conversation (we took Anna’s Pea Salad, a special
favorite of Dominique’s).
Since it was May Day, instead of
hopping on our trusty #13 bus, we walked a couple of miles each way from our apartment
to Roger and Dominique's. The weather was quite pleasant for a
walk. On the way we passed a number of family groups enjoying the sunny
May Day with picnics in parks.
But, another feature of May Day, is the
purchasing and giving of Muguet flowers and Muguet Plants (Lily of the
Valley). When we first came to Lyon, there seemed to be folks
selling Muguets on every street corner, in every Marche (street market), and in
grocery stores. Sadly, that very pleasant custom seems to be phasing
out. But, not for us! We made sure to get ours and to get
ours as a potted plant so that it would last a while. Our Muguet plant remains
alive and well although the flowers are fading.
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