general strike 29th March 2012

[sulu]

I can't see that this news has been posted yet, if it has then forgive my duplication.
There will be a general strike in Spain on 29th March, this will not affect anyone walking. I never heard of bar owners going on strike, but it will affect public transport. There will probably be demonstrations in cities as well. Some transport has to run but it will be greatly reduced and be primarily to allow people who want/need to get to work to do so.

 

[anniethenurse]

and would the strike affect domestic or international flights (Iberia)?

yes, it would http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/ ... 1U20120324

 

[anniethenurse]

list of cancelled flights
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/ ... strike.cfm

 

[FatmaG]

I never heard of bar owners going on strike.

In 2010, there was another national strike.
I was walking on the Tunnel Road, people in Zegama told me that on the next day, shops, bars etc might be closed...
Indeed, no bar was open to have a coffee before leaving the small town.
Arriving in Salvatierra, everything was closed. Or seemed to be closed.
The (only - affordable) pension in town as well.
When knocking at the door, the owner opened. She gave me a room and prepared even a dinner for me...

 

[jpflavin1]

I am arriving in Barcelona on March 29th in the morning. I have a train ticket to Irun from Barcelona that day. What is the likelihood that train will not run? If not, what might an alternative be to getting to Irun? (Bus?, a car service?, rent a car? etc.?) Somehow, I do not imagine the whole country shutting down.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Joe,
I've been in Spain on a strike day before, and RENFE was pretty well shut down. The notice I've been able to find says the following (I'm translating):

"RENFE will cancel more than 600 trains on the 29th of March. No mid distance, AVANT, ALVIA or long distance train (other than AVE) will run. 120 of the AVES will be cancelled as well (leaving 30 running)."

I don't know if this is subject to change or not, but I think it's going to be a challenge to get to Irun on that day. If you can rent a car from over here, that would be a possibility, but the one way drop-off fees tend to be pretty steep in my experience.

I hope the news will get better. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Anniesantiago]

Joe, I was in Carcassonne during a general strike in France once. I had train reservations to the coast to catch a ferry to Ireland so I was very concerned.

There were other people at the station needing to get to the ferry also, so we pooled our resources and hired a taxi. It was a great ride and we made it in time.

So that's ONE option IF the taxis don't also strike.
Your other option would be to go to http://www.booking.com and book a room in Barcelona right now.
You can spend the night and travel next day.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure you'll get a refund on your train ticket.
Do you have travel insurance?
Good luck.

 

[jpflavin1]

Thanks for your responses. I guess I have a challenge ahead of me. I am still hopeful that I can get from Barcelona to Irun on the train. I will look for other Pilgrims or travelers. This is one time where I will wish I could speak Spanish.

Joe