Bonjour Friends,
Our family was invited to one of Cassie's colleague's home for supper last night which is a rarity here for us but very welcome as this is another French family (this makes 3 so far since our arrival...) befriending us that really makes us feel we're actually integrating into the society here. Our culture coach had told us that the French were slow to invite new people to their homes and books we've read essentially said the same thing. So far we've been very warmly received by almost everyone here and actually have more French friends now than other ex-pats. It was a different Metro ride this time as they live in the 15th arrondissement and are somewhat younger than us and have a 2 year old boy and are also expecting another baby in the Fall.
Their hospitality was superb and even though living in a significantly smaller apartment then ours they set out quite a feast and a huge time was had by all. Of course during dinner and before dinner, wine flowed, snacks and other goodies were served and the conversation was lively as our hosts spoke very good English and we endeavored as always to speak as much French as possible with their help correcting us when we mispronounced words which is more often for me than Cassie.
The lengthiest conversation of the evening though revolved around their amazement that the U.S. has been unable to adopt health care for everyone. We recounted stories of our experiences most recently involving an emergency room visit for Kian back in October that generated numerous and confusing bills from various agencies loosely affiliated with Centra Health in Lynchburg that totaled close to $1000.00 even though we had great insurance and our hosts who freely admit they pay in excess of 42% income tax but are very proud that in France nobody is ever denied care of any kind. They're not the only French people we've encountered who said exactly the same thing with no prompting from us. Any way you slice it, these opinions coming straight from middle class French folks completely debunk any of the claims of the current crop of crazies who make claims of death panels and communist governments springing up overnight in our mother country.
Although we're Liberal in our politics we've been moved by these testimonials and I experienced the health care system firsthand a couple of months ago when I needed prescription refills and was not made to wait nor did I pay a small fortune for services rendered. I'd like to also say that in writing this I have no hidden agenda other than to relate what we heard and share our experiences here in Paris.
There is economic trouble in the EU these days and France is better off than some of it's neighbors but I get a sense that the people here would rather make sacrifices that involve retiring later (currently the retirement age here is 60 but the government wants to change it to 65 soon) than endanger their health care system here and this is NOT a communist state. It took a pretty audacious move on our part all the way to Paris to find that out for ourselves without folks shouting politicians down or listening to assorted right wing or left wing pundits.
It's always best to hear from the folks who actually live it as opposed to the folks who have hidden agendas of any kind. The ride home on the Metro last night took us right past the Tour Eiffel that at night is completely lit up. The longer we're here the more we all feel it was a good move for us all and we're getting a true look at how another culture lives free of any filters.........
They truly let the light shine here........*
Love to all everywhere.......
A bientot,
Sid
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