La Huelga - Quema las calles!

A few weeks ago, we received an email from the BC program director telling us classes had been cancelled because of a teacher huelga, or strike. (Technically not all classes were cancelled - teachers could decide whether or not to show up...of course none of my classes were cancelled)

In Madrid, there are three different schools BC students are able to attend: Carlos III (mine), Complutense, and Comillas.  The strike at Complu was much, much different than at Carlos.  People were setting things on fire, students were locking themselves in buildings overnight...the passionate Spanish people were definitely sending a strong message. (as opposed to Carlos where
nothing extra special happened and a lot of people still showed up for class.)

When my parents were here and we were on our bike tour (See: Swastek Family takes over Madrid) we were able to ride in the streets because many of them were closed for the strikes.  This is a clip of a strike about the Spanish health care system:

Not the best quality or anything and I have no idea what they're chanting, but you get the idea.

Very interesting to (kind of) be a part of.  We received a message from our program director with the list of all the scheduled strikes encouraging us to stay away.  We weren't in danger or anything, but it would be better for us to be safe than sorry.  I've gotten so comfortable here in Madrid, so it was definitely a wake-up call reminding me I'm still in a completely foreign country.