Fête du Travail (May Day) is the French version of Labor Day. It is one of the most observed holidays in France. Everything is supposed to be closed except essential services. It is pretty accurate description as almost everything was closed yesterday. Restaurants, cafes and shops were primarily closed. Some of the bars and cafes were open but that was about it. I usually have lunch at a restaurant on Thursdays as it is a run night and I do not want to cook dinner after the run. I walked by most of the regular restaurants where I have lunch and they were all closed. I, finally, found the La Mare du Canards was open so had lunch there. Not sure why it was open but it was good to find an open restaurant. Also, the crowds were not large out either. There were only 3 tables full and all of us were tourists.

I had expected to see some demonstrations on May Day as it is a standard activity in France. There were demonstrations and “riots” in Paris, Marseilles, and Lyon that I read about. Toulouse must be the most laid back city in France as I did not see any kind of activities other than people wandering around and doing their daily activity in Toulouse. I was somewhat disappointed as I wanted to see at least a demonstration but not a riot. I have hardly seen any kind of protest in Toulouse on either trip. There is a silent vigil on occasion about children incarcerated. I have seen one protest about Palestine but there were about 20 people marching and everyone ignored it completely. There was one large march but I did it know what it was about as I was too far away to see the signs.

The basketball boys were back in the Place du Capitole this evening. A group of boys run with a basketball hoop, plant it and then shoot the basketball at it. If someone makes the basket, they shoot of confetti and cheer. This time they got one of the mimes to shoot at the basket and amazingly he made it. I am not sure other than making videos for the Internet the purpose of it.

The run was fun tonight as the weather was great. It is fun to run along both banks of the river. I still not get the calisthenics after but I participate.