Hello, Readers!
My most humble apologies for not posting in ages. The truth is I have been busy settling in to my Niçoise home, which has involved buying furniture (I need virtually everything), making time for new friends, and taking care of bureaucratic tasks. Some of these latter, specifically?
1) Applying for my French drivers’ license. This must be done within the first year to take advantage of the reciprocity available to me as a (former) Colorado resident. A mere 18 states allow for this reciprocity, which seems a bit crazy until you realize that it is only because an individual state’s legislature has so voted, and not because the French government (apparently randomly) has decided which states to allow this privilege. This is important, as the driving test required if one does not come from a reciprocal state, is reputed to be very difficult (and it’s, of course, in French). I have heard of Americans not passing the second, or even, third time.
2) Starting the process of renewing my annual visa. It seems incredible to me that, come mid-July, I will have been in France for a year. To be able to meet the renewal deadline it is necessary to start the process about three months in advance. Toward this end, I have had to round up, or create, many documents, among others, my long form birth certificate, various attestations (electric bill and proof of residence), a handwritten letter proclaiming (in French) that I promise not to work, and a digital photo with a specific number on it. This last required my going to a particular shop where official photos are taken. The photo (no jewelry, no glasses, no hair around the face, and, especially, no smile) is associated with a 22-digit alphanumeric code and can be used only once by whatever governmental agency has requested it.
3) Both American and French taxes, due one month apart. There is an enormous form on the U.S. side to be filled out, asking endless questions. Also, there are forms inquiring about foreign bank accounts and non-foreign bank accounts. Basically, there is a form for anything remotely associated with one’s finance. I am just now getting to the French side, but I can see already that it is a much shorter form. Astonishing to an American is how the French pay their annual tax bill: The government sends the amount it has calculated the French resident owes. The individual receiving the bill examines it, approves it (or not, but usually does), and then pays the amount. That’s it.
Because I am now in this stage of settling in, I have decided to put the blog on PAUSE for now. What I will do, however, is send out a newsletter of sorts from time to time, so there will be no need to keep checking the blog. Therefore, please let me know if you would like to be on this new newsletter distribution list.
The words in the above photo say, loosely translated, “Happy are they, who, like Ulysses, have had a wonderful journey.”
Meanwhile, here are a few pics from life in Nice…
