The daily life of the 850,000 inhabitants of Reunion Island has been very disturbed for two weeks by the movement of yellow vests. A 25-year-old Rennais, who has been living in this overseas department for two months, testifies.
"Reunion must resume a normal life," said Annick Girardin, the Minister of Overseas, this Saturday, December 1, before leaving the island. But dams are still maintained while the daily life of the island has been disrupted for fifteen days. The minister even had to be exfiltrated on Friday while she was on the west side of the island. Everyday life has been difficult for locals since the beginning of the Yellow Vest movement. Arthur, a 25-year-old Rennais, tells.
Empty rays
"Whole shelves are empty, especially fresh products: butter, yogurt, bread, meat ... We live to seven young people in a roommate, near St. Pierre in the south of the island. We usually do our shopping at Leclerc, four kilometers from home. But the hypermarket is often closed. We have not done great races for two weeks. Extra purchases are made at local convenience stores. Many shops open only in the morning. We buy fruits and vegetables from local vendors. Since we have to move soon, we empty our stocks. We eat a lot of pasta. And the sale of alcohol is prohibited. So no beer for two weeks. "
cloistered
"We are a little cloistered here. For two weeks, we have much less leisure. Buddies from the metropolis wanted to climb the Piton de la Fournaise. They drove away at 2am. After an hour of driving, they had to turn back, because of a dam. Yet we chose Reunion, with my partner, to enjoy the attractions of the mountains and the sea. We love the sport. We plan to stay there for a year. We come to look for another way of life, before settling in the metropolis and starting a family. "
Closed stations
"The majority of service stations are closed for lack of fuel. In front of those who are open, there is an hour of tail. Luckily, I had refueled before. And this morning, I managed to find a station that was reopening. I could put twenty euros of diesel, the maximum allowed. "
Few patients
"I am a liberal physiotherapist. Our practice, which has four practitioners, is about fifteen kilometers away. I go there by car, because I also have patients to visit at home. Thanks to my caduceus, the medical symbol displayed on the windshield, I can pass the dams. I put the warnings, I go up the line of vehicles, and I open the barriers. The patients, they, have a lot of trouble to move. The firm's activity has dropped. "