Health Coverage in France Part 3

Look at what came in the mail! (And in August, the height of no-one-works-here-because-it's-summer-vacation!)

Julie's Carte Vitale, with sensitive info chopped off

Please note the photo - Rick says it's that typically French ID look, full of anxiety. I say it's my "take the damned picture already!" look. Either way, I'm not smiling, per the rules... (oddly enough, in elementary school, I hated to "smile for the camera")

Well, to details.

• My last entry in this saga was that June 8th we got our "attestations" proving that we were in the system, and could start using it! Since then:
• June 12, found a médecin traitant (aka General Practitioner) as required by the rules, and dropped by the office to make our appointments
• June 14, went to our appointments (I know, right!?!?). Got a bunch of referrals and ordonnances (prescriptions). Paid 25€ cash (each) and got a reimbursement form. At the pharmacy later, they automatically took off the reimbursement part, and we paid the rest.
• June 22, mailed our first reimbursement requests (for our Dr. appointments) to CPAM (didn't bother with notify-when-received mail service)
• June 28, I hit a small bump - I got another letter from CPAM, this time asking for my marriage certificate. Well, the next day, I went overboard ('cause why not?), and I mailed* my marriage certificate, copy of livret de famille (showing official French recognition of my marriage), and a copy of Rick's French ID (as well as a copy of their letter, since it had all the file numbers on it). 
• July 4, *actually succeeded in mailing my papers (PO was closed before for some reason)
• July 5, 2 weeks after mailing our forms, Rick got reimbursed for his Dr. visit. This started a period of great confusion for us! Why just one? Which one? Whose (any?) account number was wrong? (Spoiler alert; it worked out)
• July 18, we both got letters with our new permanent numbers, and requesting photos for our cards (within 15 days, please). It also had info on signing up for online accounts, so we did that. Mine was now addressed to me with my married name, which I have never used :-\  I think I will just leave it...
• July 27, I finally sucked it up** and got my photos done (it really is very simple, as there are photo booths everywhere, but it's a big mental hump to get over - no smiling!?!)
• July 29, we got our codes in the mail for our online accounts. Taking advantage of the situation, we uploaded our photos and ID copies instead of mailing them :-). We were a bit on pins and needles about the timing, and had decided to mail everything on Monday if we hadn't heard before (but we did!)
• August 9, still concerned about a possible account problem highlighted by the odd reimbursement situation, we went in to CPAM. They couldn't fix or explain anything right then, so they gave us an appointment for the next day (I know, right?!?)
• August 10, they explained that the accounts were both fine, but there was an outstanding charge on mine - we were confused about that, but confident that the accounts at least were ok, so we submitted more reimbursement forms (we'd been holding off until we were sure about the accounts). Later that day, CPAM called and explained a bit better - it wasn't an outstanding charge; they were just waiting for the total to get over 15€, which is their threshold. So, at the next reimbursement, it would be included. Well, that's a reasonable explanation! :-) 
• August 21, our Cartes Vitales arrived!
• August 22, I went to my doctor (turns out that here, to participate in sports, you need a doctor's certificate saying that you're physically able). He ran the card through his system, I paid 25€ cash again, but the reimbursement was automatically requested - it should go through in just a few days.

So now we know aaaaall there is to know (or at least it feels like it!)

Still to come - we haven't yet been asked for income info, or a payment. I expect that will happen at some point; I'm not too worried about it. We've heard that they want the last 2 years of tax returns, and they use the older one to determine your payments. We have our USA forms, but we won't have French returns until next year (that's just how it works here).

~~~
See previous posts in our process:
http://slowtravelin.blogspot.fr/2017/06/health-coverage-in-france-part-2.html
http://slowtravelin.blogspot.fr/2017/05/health-coverage-in-france.html

** Oddly enough, I've learned that this is a quite rude expression to Brits (so, apologies to my friends who see it so; please understand that it is not in the USA, and is commonplace in the California workplace)

Fête de la Saint Louis, Fin

Saint Louis, the Sète festival, 2017, has come to an end...

Have I mentioned that I love fireworks? Here are some videos to help me make it to the next show...

~~~

Because videos don't always show up in blogger, here are the links:

https://youtu.be/cxCCy0tkbq8

https://youtu.be/XaO8mXxjSss

https://youtu.be/pNvjddQMLA0

https://youtu.be/u2ETVUacO7k

La Vuelta!

The Grand Tour, La Vuelta, has passed through Sète!

Leader just entering shade

Front of the pack

Middle of the pack

And away they go!

It all happened within a minute of the fastest estimate, and was over in less than that (for us, that is)!

On time, and all over

~~~
Video: https://youtu.be/0apBIgjJFC0

Rain and Poetry

Last night's squall

A monument to poet Paul Valery in Sète

"I go back up the chain of my life; I find it attached by its first link to some of these iron rings that are secured in the stone of our quays, the other end is in my heart."

Fête de la Saint Louis, Sète

The Fête de la Saint Louis is probably the biggest festival in Sète! It is a week full of music, parades, spectacles, and games - including 3 different types of boules / pétanque, tennis, swimming, chess, cycling, and of course, joutes!

Before a jousting match, the jousters meet at the town hall

They form a parade through town with music (oboes and drums)

and flags and judges

to the royal canal. They say hello

And joust!

Two teams go at it until one (or both) jouster is unseated. The remaining jouster goes up against a new one on the other side.

Each boat has a line-up of jousters, as well as rowers and its own drummer and oboe player.

The Fête continues through Tuesday, when it closes with fireworks at the breakwater.

Sète Detours

There's a lot going on in Sète this week, and between the Fête de la Saint Louis (17-22) and La Vuelta (20th), roads and bus routes are closed right and left! But special routes have been added!

Here's an informative bulletin on a bus stop (not all stops had this extensive list; some just say "closed for the duration")

This map shows road closures in pink and yellow

At least the roads for La Vuelta (bike race) will only be closed a few hours (and we'll be home, watching it!!)

Dinnertime!

It's 6:24 p.m. here in France, and I'm relaxing with a book.

In California, we'd be seated at the table, passing around the dinner dishes.

In Albuquerque, I'd have the rice started, and dinner ingredients chopped.

Here, I don't expect I'll even think about what to cook until at least 8:00!

I do love the variety of life, even in the smallest points. :-)

When in Sète, Eat Fish!

Sète, being a big port and all, is huge on fish - all kinds of fish!

I've (somewhat slowly) tried several new-to-me types, and still have a huge number of fish (and other seafood) to try that are regularly spread out in the fish market!

On top of that, the experts recommend eating fish at least twice a week, one of which is a "fatty" variety - salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines...

Well, we're not big on the canned versions, and I tried smoked mackerel many years ago (not my thing). But, I know that the difference between canned tuna and fresh is like night and day! So... last week, I tried a single piece of fresh mackerel. Aaand, it was awfully strong - tick that fish off my list. Today, I bought a single (already cleaned and filleted, thank you very much!) sardine,* and cooked it up for an appetizer.

Here it is, dredged in flour, pan fried with garlic and coriander leaves, deglazed with white wine; served with bread and chopped cucumber.

And, I have to say, it wasn't bad! Not great, but nothing like the canned version (that I can't believe I really liked as a kid! I think it was the thrill of eating a fish whole)! However, as an adult (yes, smirk if you will), it's just not worth worrying about the bones. I know, people will say to just eat the bones, but I just can't...

~~~
* This is how big my 50¢ sardine was...

*The lovely fish monger thinks I'm crazy...

European Grand Tours

I had (of course!) heard about the Tour de France long before moving here, but just recently found out that it is one of three cycling races in Europe known as Grand Tours!

The first of the calendar year is in May, Italy's Giro d'Italia. Then comes the Tour de France in July. And! In August, Vuelta a España!

And guess what? Even though a country's name is in the title, these races often venture into neighboring countries... As it happens, La Vuelta will start in France this year, and come straight through Sète! Even better, it will pass *directly* under our balcony!!! Whew! Yes, I'm excited!

La Vuelta 2017 stage 2

August 20th, coming up fast! Gotta lay in supplies :-D

~~~
Update: roads will be closed, and bus lines modified, both for the race and the Fête de la Saint Louis

Sète's Train Station

Sète has a nice little gare (train station) - it's on a main train line, so it it easy to get almost anywhere, but it is small enough that you won't get lost! And it's easy to find visitors :-)

Here's the front (turn left as you exit, then walk around the side to get to the bus stop)

Looking from inside the front door, through to the train tracks and platforms. Toilets are off the first platform (30 cents). One drawback: no elevator or ramp; you have to go down and up a flight of stairs to get to various platforms.

This is the small waiting area (free Wi-Fi!). The gare is currently exhibiting photos that were part of an earlier photography festival.

You can see the ticket windows on the other side. There are also machines. A small information office and snack market are inside, and a café is just outside.

Wacky Weather

Well, we've certainly had some wacky weather!

We survived our second heatwave here in Sète - highs in the 90's (F), and at least a few days of high humidity. Our air conditioner got a workout, especially after we got the kinks out of the system :-D

A friend sent me this (it helped!)

Then we got a very welcomed rainstorm!

Yesterday and today were just lovely - everything you expect from Sète.
But when we got home this afternoon, we saw a fire raging across the étang

It's hard to see, but there were 5 firefighter planes scooping up water from the étang, and heading to the fire

Incoming!

Lined up and Scooping!

Water planes scooping

Flying to drop water on the fire

All I Need Is a Hammock

It's heaven today! 77°F, breeze, filtered sun, moist sea air - I have a new book and a glass of cold white wine.
All I need is a hammock! (But I have a comfy chair, so...)

Getting to Know You

Getting to know all about you...

Getting to know your neighbors in a new country is difficult. Besides the language barrier, there's the uncertainty you have culturally - what is normal? What is acceptable? What are the right words to use?

Getting to know neighbors in a small city adds a level. Renting? In an apartment building? Even more. A furnished apartment? Well, why bother; they're just visiting...

Well, we've made tiny inroads - one neighbor needed our help (don't run any water while he fixed his pipes); other neighbors are always on our bus, and were kind enough to help us with the building entry codes.

But today! I can see the ground floor gardens from my balcony, and today, I noticed that one potted plant had fallen over - it's good sized, and I thought what a shame if it died. So, I built up my courage by running through a few lines of French, and knocked on her door! No answer... Well, our building is secured via code, so maybe she's a little leery of answering. Knocked again... Just as I gave up and went back to the elevator, another neighbor came out - we talked a bit about the plant, and I thought "if not now..." I asked if there was a gardien (caretaker) - non, but the woman was the présidente of the building association (!!!), and did I have a problem?

Well! She was so helpful! Call so and so, ask for person X; if she's not there, ask for Mr Y. Tell them I said to do Z. If you get nowhere, or need anything else, knock on my door!