Ran out of Surveys!

My coffee stained surveys proved to not be enough today (as I should have known) and the photocopy place I tried was closed on Sundays (I would assume the same for the majority of the rest).

Regardless, I had extended survey sessions with some people (all men today, if I recall correctly). First, a book-seller from Cameroon lauded my efforts as he remarked on the positive potential of immigration (and migration in general) to circulate ideas, information and reduce the barriers that (if I've noticed anything) certainly exist between different kinds of people. No more parentheses y'all! Sorry!

Second, I met a man from the Comoros islands who was eloquent despite his inability to read or write. We talked during the survey time, and I ran into him again as I made the rounds of the flea market and he proceeded to tell me some things about Africa that I *had* to include in my B.A. thesis. I listened, and took notes. It fit with a lot of what I'd read about the systemic problems residents of Africa face; particularly those considering migrating to Europe. Perhaps most interesting was that he emphasized that remittances often had consequences for those who *send* them and not just consequences (positive and negative) for those that receive them. The way he put it was that people are sending money from what little they make and are forced to continually tighten their belts over and over again. That is, they send money to their families at their own expense, and he thinks this system isn't necessarily a good one. I don't necessarily agree or disagree, but it's an interesting perspective I had yet to hear.

Next, I met two Senegalese men who were percussionists (Sabar among others) who told me more than enough about their opinions regarding French immigration policy. We decided that Sarkozy was probably "déraciné," given his seeming disregard for the plight of immigrants, but a friendly guy listening in chimed that Sarkozy was in fact a "pédé" (look that up if you like). Regardless, they were animated and genuinely interested, which was a refreshing change of spirit from previous survey respondents.

Then, this afternoon, I watched three episodes of Mad Men. Sweet show.

Sabar, for those that are curious.