What a day! It turns out my Mom's foot actually is fractured, and we are now rolling her around in Paris in a cast! We also got a crash course into using the French medical system.
The day started with a doctors visit from SOS Medecins to take a look at her foot. Our English speaking doctor arrived at our French apartment only 20 minutes after we called instead of the hour quoted. Once he arrived though, he took one look at her foot and went "Yeah, that looks broken". He then organized an appointment with us with an orthopedic specialist, where we would get X-Rays done and figure out what to do if we confirmed it was broken. He also suggested checking with the local medical center close by if we could get an appointment earlier.
So we ventured out to the medical center, where unfortunately they didn't have any openings until the next morning. But they took our phone number in case something opened up. We then went to the local pharmacy to request a wheelchair. Unfortunately they wouldn't get one in until 4:30, so we had to make do with some crutches we brought with us.
Our appointment with the orthopedic surgeon was at 3:50, so we took a cab to get there since there was no possible way should could have used the metro. Luckily the entry receptionist spoke English, but the one for the doctor did not, so Kara was acting as an amazing translator to explain what was going on. We also had a note from the doctor from the morning as well though too. The orthopedic surgeon took a look at her foot and agreed that it looked like it was broken. Unfortunately they had thought we already had an X-ray, and thus their X-ray person had already gone home for the day. But there were other places still open, so they called and made us an appointment since she was an urgent case. This neccessitated another cab ride a bit away (about 10 minute walk, but if you can't walk then you have to take a cab) to the radiology place. Unfortunately there was some miscommunication so we went to the wrong radiology place (again thanks to Kara for speaking French so we could figure this out!). The correct one was only up the block, but when you're with someone who can't walk, it required a cab ride. Once we got to the correct X-Ray place, she was seen promptly.
I caught a cab to get a wheelchair from the pharmacy since it was available by this point. After studying the x-rays, they said it was inconclusive, so they wanted a sonogram. So they set up a sonogram appointment back at the original place we went. This time we had a wheelchair, so it was a quick 2 minute walk. Again we were seen fairly promptly (about 15 minutes of waiting). Her sonogram showed there was a TON of blood in her foot and that her ligaments were quite tore up, but it still wasn't clear if her foot was broken. So now it was time for an MRI. Again another appointment but it was just next-door to get that done. After another about 15 minutes of waiting, she got it done, and it finally showed that she did have some fractures in her foot and would need a cast.
Thus we had to go back to the original orthopedist and get a cast. Thankfully he was staying WAY later than his normal opening hours to wait for us. It took about 20 minutes to put on the cast and then we could finally take a cab home. She'll be in the cast for 6 weeks.
We also had to pick her up some blood thinner, and that was a bit of adventure to find a pharmacy open at 10:00pm on a Friday night. The "late-night" one I usually use was already closed, and the closest one according to Google was also already closed. But at that pharmacy there was a list of late night pharmacies, so we went to that one instead. It's actually open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (Pharmacie Centrale, 52 Rue du Commerce, Paris, France), so now I know where to head in the future. We took a cab back since we didn't want to deal with a long metro trip after a VERY long day, but at only 8 euro, it was well worth it. Actually I've become quite a fan of using cabs, as they're really not that expensive relatively (relative to Paris being so freaking expensive) and can be far more convenient.
All in all it was quite a fascinating day to journey through the French medical system. We used a combination of private and public medical services (one of the most common misconceptions about European healthcare is that there is no private doctors nor insurance in a universal healthcare system. Actually there are both and they will see you just as quickly in a non-medical emergency as you would in the US. It's just that in EVERY SINGLE OTHER 1ST WORLD COUNTRY you're guaranteed medical care. We guarantee medical care only in the most ridiculous and expensive way possible by sending people to the ER when their originally very easily treatable condition blows up into a full emergency).
Even being completely uninsured the out of pocket cost was WAAAY less than being uninsured in the US, and had she been a French citizen, would have been significantly less. While no health care system can be perfect, I think it was an eye opening view into how twisted some politicians try to make socialist healthcare systems to be. But yet socialist firefighters, police, and roads are no problem.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Orly
My parents came back from Italy late this evening from Orly. They'd been off on a cruise of the Mediterranean that they've really enjoyed, and were flying back to Paris to spend a few more days with us until flying back to the US. Unfortunately on their last day in Rome my Mom fell and hurt her foot, and now needs a wheelchair to get around. We plan on seeing a doctor tomorrow to get it checked out since it looks really really swollen and bad.
I also found out that my super all-access zones 1-5 Navigo card is not valid for the Orlyval. Nope, it was still 9€ to get from Antony to Orly. Navigo isn't valid at all to get to Orly.
I also found out that my super all-access zones 1-5 Navigo card is not valid for the Orlyval. Nope, it was still 9€ to get from Antony to Orly. Navigo isn't valid at all to get to Orly.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Paris Friends
Tonight we hung out with two of Kara's friends from her language school. Both of them are from Russia, but speak English pretty well. It's also been nice to practice French with them since they're also in the process of learning so they speak slowly and simply so it's easier to follow.
We went to some bars around the Bastille area and just generally hung out. It amuses me how similar bars are across the world, except that here tipping isn't really done. A few cents or something, but not the typical dollar like in the US. Also all the cocktail names are in English which was also surprising.
All in all it was a fun night!
We went to some bars around the Bastille area and just generally hung out. It amuses me how similar bars are across the world, except that here tipping isn't really done. A few cents or something, but not the typical dollar like in the US. Also all the cocktail names are in English which was also surprising.
All in all it was a fun night!
Monday, January 27, 2014
Return to Paris
The train ride was fairly uneventful other than discovering we were sitting in the wrong train car and had to move halfway through the trip. Also it was amazing how much cloudier it got the closer to Paris the train went. I think I miss the Cote d'Azul already! I could also get used to only having to show up 20 minutes before departure time for a train. Much better than 2 hours!
On the way back we sat in 1st class since it was only a few euro more. The only difference is wider seats that recline (there are 3 for each row, vs 4 in 2nd class), a single power port per row, and a guy did come by to take food and drink orders (though you had to pay extra for it, it wasn't included). Really if it's more than 10 euro it's really not worth the extra cost, and if you're remotely trying to save every cent, it's not worth any extra money unless you really need a power port. The seats in 2nd class are light years bigger and roomier than on an airplane so anyone would be fine.
After we got back I caught up on work email (since surprisingly the train doesn't have WiFi and my phone kept going in and out of signal) and just hung out all night. I actually had missed crepes since apparently in Nice they only have dessert ones, based on the ones we passed.
On the way back we sat in 1st class since it was only a few euro more. The only difference is wider seats that recline (there are 3 for each row, vs 4 in 2nd class), a single power port per row, and a guy did come by to take food and drink orders (though you had to pay extra for it, it wasn't included). Really if it's more than 10 euro it's really not worth the extra cost, and if you're remotely trying to save every cent, it's not worth any extra money unless you really need a power port. The seats in 2nd class are light years bigger and roomier than on an airplane so anyone would be fine.
After we got back I caught up on work email (since surprisingly the train doesn't have WiFi and my phone kept going in and out of signal) and just hung out all night. I actually had missed crepes since apparently in Nice they only have dessert ones, based on the ones we passed.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
The French Riviera
Today we went to see the Rothschild Villa and Gardens, which are a bit to the East of Nice, on a peninsula called Cap Ferrat. It was finished in 1912, and has some incredible gardens and views of the French Riviera. We then walked down along the coast and caught the 100 bus at the train station to get back to Nice.
I have to say, I never thought I'd get to tour the famous French Riviera (Côte d'Azur (Azure (ie blue) Coast) in French). You always hear about it, but it really is quite pretty and I'd definitely recommend visiting if you get the chance. We didn't visit Cannes or Saint Tropez based on the reviews of how over-rated they were, but Nice is definitely worth the trip! I'd definitely go back, and I want to see some of the hill-top villages like Saint-Paul-de-Vence which I'm sad we had to miss.
The bus was still pretty confusing today though too. I was trying to get a day pass for 5 euros, but both of the buses we tried didn't sell them, and none of the tabac shops were open since it was Sunday. Luckily they did take small bills. The first one we got on was the 100, figuring we could transfer somewhere down the line on the 81 which would take us to the Rothschild mansion. But after we got off to take some photos and wait for the 81 to come by, he wouldn't accept our previous ticket and said we had to buy new ones. We should have just waited for the #81 to begin with. It was also a bit difficult to figure out when to hit the "stop" button since there was but a single map on the bus, but by using my phone GPS I could mostly figure it out. This is why I find metro so much easier to figure out than the bus. Though once you've ridden the bus once, it's usually OK. It's just much harder to pre-plan.
Oh and we did finally find the new location for bus #100 and #81 in Nice, which is at the Segurane bus stop, and not at JC Bermond like everywhere on the Internet says.
After wandering through the Nice Old Town (Vieux Nice) for a while, we stumbled upon an Indian food place and decided to check it out since we hadn't eaten Indian since moving to France. And it was good! Expensive of course, but good! After wandering around a bit more, watching the fountains in the main square do their thing, and discovering we were slightly too late to ride the Ferris wheel, we headed back to our hotel with some crepes for dessert in our hands. Our train leaves tomorrow morning at 7:35am so we've got another early start. No wonder we sleep in so late when we don't have to get up early!
I have to say, I never thought I'd get to tour the famous French Riviera (Côte d'Azur (Azure (ie blue) Coast) in French). You always hear about it, but it really is quite pretty and I'd definitely recommend visiting if you get the chance. We didn't visit Cannes or Saint Tropez based on the reviews of how over-rated they were, but Nice is definitely worth the trip! I'd definitely go back, and I want to see some of the hill-top villages like Saint-Paul-de-Vence which I'm sad we had to miss.
The bus was still pretty confusing today though too. I was trying to get a day pass for 5 euros, but both of the buses we tried didn't sell them, and none of the tabac shops were open since it was Sunday. Luckily they did take small bills. The first one we got on was the 100, figuring we could transfer somewhere down the line on the 81 which would take us to the Rothschild mansion. But after we got off to take some photos and wait for the 81 to come by, he wouldn't accept our previous ticket and said we had to buy new ones. We should have just waited for the #81 to begin with. It was also a bit difficult to figure out when to hit the "stop" button since there was but a single map on the bus, but by using my phone GPS I could mostly figure it out. This is why I find metro so much easier to figure out than the bus. Though once you've ridden the bus once, it's usually OK. It's just much harder to pre-plan.
Oh and we did finally find the new location for bus #100 and #81 in Nice, which is at the Segurane bus stop, and not at JC Bermond like everywhere on the Internet says.
After wandering through the Nice Old Town (Vieux Nice) for a while, we stumbled upon an Indian food place and decided to check it out since we hadn't eaten Indian since moving to France. And it was good! Expensive of course, but good! After wandering around a bit more, watching the fountains in the main square do their thing, and discovering we were slightly too late to ride the Ferris wheel, we headed back to our hotel with some crepes for dessert in our hands. Our train leaves tomorrow morning at 7:35am so we've got another early start. No wonder we sleep in so late when we don't have to get up early!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Monaco
After a late start (it seems most of my trip entries start this way doesn't it?) we tried to find the #100 bus to take us along the coastline to Villefranche-sur-mer, and then on to Monaco. Unfortunately (as I later found out) all the tourist info on the web is wrong about where the bus stop for the #100 bus because it recently moved, and thus we couldn't find it. In the end then we took the train instead, since train stations are pretty good about not arbitrarily moving.
In reading about using the trains in the French Riviera someone compared it to being a "Riviera Metro" since it runs about every 30 minutes and hits all the little villages across the French Riviera. And yep, it's pretty much the case. Tickets were something like 3.70€ each way, so about 14€ for both of us round trip. After looking at the TV monitors, we just headed to the platform for the next train bound for Ventimiglia, which is in the direction of Monaco and other villages along the way. Then on the return looked for the train platform with the next train headed to Grasse which goes in the opposite direction to get back to Nice. There's only two options, and so typically two trains, so it makes it easy. (hint: It's the two destinations listed over and over on the monitor)
The only difficult part was there didn't seem to be an English option for buying the tickets, but it was straight forward enough in French, and there were ticket agents further down I noticed later we could have used. There's no need to pre-buy tickets for these stations. Just show up to the station, buy the ticket, validate it in the yellow box, and hop on the next train that comes along and pick a seat. Literally, just like a metro!
Since we were now running even further behind after having to backtrack to the train station and wait for a train, we decided to skip the village and go straight to Monaco from Nice. Or well actually not quite to Monaco. Based on the recommendations while searching the Internet, we got off at the Cap d'Ail station (the one right before Monoco) and walked the rest of the way. I can now say I've walked to another country, and the walkway was right along the sea and had some spectacular views. Definitely a good idea. The only bad idea was that we hadn't stopped and gotten any lunch, and there's nothing for sale really for most of the walk. The one restaurant we passed that was open had already closed it's kitchen (as it was about 3:30pm by this point). But we kept going on until finally reaching Monaco.
Monaco is the 2nd smallest country in the world (only .75 square miles) and the most densely populated. I was surprised at how many people said it wasn't worth visiting during my research, as I actually enjoyed it. Yeah there's not a whole lot to see here, but it is famous and the views are pretty cool from the outcrop that the Prince's Palace sits on. I wouldn't recommend staying in Monaco, but definitely worth the easy train trip from Nice to check it out and see it first hand.
After a bit of confusion of how exactly to get to the Prince's Palace (as we were coming in from the walkway by the sea, and not the bus/train stops that most guides assume) we were able to follow the signs and use Google Maps until we got to the Place d'Arms bus stop. From there we could have caught a bus to take us up the hill to the Monaco-ville section of the city (where all the main sights are), but instead we walked up. It wasn't that bad, and since it was sunset, had some good views of the city on the way. The timing actually worked out quite nicely since by the time we got to the top (maybe 10 minute hike up) the sun was just setting, so we got some really great photos looking out on both sides of the outcrop.
We then went to the church nearby, where they seemed to be testing the organ or something because it was making some awful high pitched noises the entire time we were there. The church was neat, but nothing too out of the ordinary for a nice European church (aka it blows away anything you've ever seen in the US). After wandering around some more, and trying to figure out how to get off the top of the rock where Monaco-ville sits, we found the Monaco-ville bus stop and got on the #1 bus which took us down to the main part of Monaco, around the famous harbor, and then up to the famous Monte Carlo casino. Either #1 or #2 buses go everywhere you need to go, and while riding the bus we drove through the tunnel that's part of the Monaco Grand Prix which was neat.
While we didn't go inside the casino since it was gambling hours and you have to be dressed up and have a passport (of which we had neither) the outside was pretty and would look familiar to anyone who ever watched a James Bond film. And I saw about 5 Ferrari's in the span of about 10 minutes either parked or driving around. So that was pretty cool. Afterwards I wanted to get some night shots of Monaco from Monaco-ville, so we took the bus back up to the palace area, and ended up eating dinner in a good Italian restaurant, along with an incredibly loud group of American teenagers. We then took the bus back to one of the stops with "Gare" in the name on the map, as those would take you to the train station (which is "gare" in French). From there it was a short 20 minute ride back to Nice to finish out the day.
In reading about using the trains in the French Riviera someone compared it to being a "Riviera Metro" since it runs about every 30 minutes and hits all the little villages across the French Riviera. And yep, it's pretty much the case. Tickets were something like 3.70€ each way, so about 14€ for both of us round trip. After looking at the TV monitors, we just headed to the platform for the next train bound for Ventimiglia, which is in the direction of Monaco and other villages along the way. Then on the return looked for the train platform with the next train headed to Grasse which goes in the opposite direction to get back to Nice. There's only two options, and so typically two trains, so it makes it easy. (hint: It's the two destinations listed over and over on the monitor)
The only difficult part was there didn't seem to be an English option for buying the tickets, but it was straight forward enough in French, and there were ticket agents further down I noticed later we could have used. There's no need to pre-buy tickets for these stations. Just show up to the station, buy the ticket, validate it in the yellow box, and hop on the next train that comes along and pick a seat. Literally, just like a metro!
Since we were now running even further behind after having to backtrack to the train station and wait for a train, we decided to skip the village and go straight to Monaco from Nice. Or well actually not quite to Monaco. Based on the recommendations while searching the Internet, we got off at the Cap d'Ail station (the one right before Monoco) and walked the rest of the way. I can now say I've walked to another country, and the walkway was right along the sea and had some spectacular views. Definitely a good idea. The only bad idea was that we hadn't stopped and gotten any lunch, and there's nothing for sale really for most of the walk. The one restaurant we passed that was open had already closed it's kitchen (as it was about 3:30pm by this point). But we kept going on until finally reaching Monaco.
Monaco is the 2nd smallest country in the world (only .75 square miles) and the most densely populated. I was surprised at how many people said it wasn't worth visiting during my research, as I actually enjoyed it. Yeah there's not a whole lot to see here, but it is famous and the views are pretty cool from the outcrop that the Prince's Palace sits on. I wouldn't recommend staying in Monaco, but definitely worth the easy train trip from Nice to check it out and see it first hand.
After a bit of confusion of how exactly to get to the Prince's Palace (as we were coming in from the walkway by the sea, and not the bus/train stops that most guides assume) we were able to follow the signs and use Google Maps until we got to the Place d'Arms bus stop. From there we could have caught a bus to take us up the hill to the Monaco-ville section of the city (where all the main sights are), but instead we walked up. It wasn't that bad, and since it was sunset, had some good views of the city on the way. The timing actually worked out quite nicely since by the time we got to the top (maybe 10 minute hike up) the sun was just setting, so we got some really great photos looking out on both sides of the outcrop.
We then went to the church nearby, where they seemed to be testing the organ or something because it was making some awful high pitched noises the entire time we were there. The church was neat, but nothing too out of the ordinary for a nice European church (aka it blows away anything you've ever seen in the US). After wandering around some more, and trying to figure out how to get off the top of the rock where Monaco-ville sits, we found the Monaco-ville bus stop and got on the #1 bus which took us down to the main part of Monaco, around the famous harbor, and then up to the famous Monte Carlo casino. Either #1 or #2 buses go everywhere you need to go, and while riding the bus we drove through the tunnel that's part of the Monaco Grand Prix which was neat.
While we didn't go inside the casino since it was gambling hours and you have to be dressed up and have a passport (of which we had neither) the outside was pretty and would look familiar to anyone who ever watched a James Bond film. And I saw about 5 Ferrari's in the span of about 10 minutes either parked or driving around. So that was pretty cool. Afterwards I wanted to get some night shots of Monaco from Monaco-ville, so we took the bus back up to the palace area, and ended up eating dinner in a good Italian restaurant, along with an incredibly loud group of American teenagers. We then took the bus back to one of the stops with "Gare" in the name on the map, as those would take you to the train station (which is "gare" in French). From there it was a short 20 minute ride back to Nice to finish out the day.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Nice!
Today we took our first long distance train ride on the high speed TGV train (Train à Grande Vitesse) to get to Nice. We were a bit late leaving our flat, and cut the time fairly closely to get to Gare d'Lyon. But thanks to no security lines when you ride the train, we made it OK in the end. We'll have to leave more than 45 minutes before the train departs next time though, since it took 25 minutes to get there.
The first part of the train from Paris to Nice is incredibly fast, with the train going almost 200MPH. The French countryside is gorgeous and I passed the time reading about Nice on my Kindle (I usually buy the Rick Steve's books for the Kindle when we travel in Europe, so I can read it on my phone whenever we get lost). However the last half of the trip is very slow as you make your way through various villages, so the total time was about 6 hours to get from Paris to Nice. You take about half the time to go 4/5 of the distance. We'll be in Nice over the weekend, and take the train back Monday morning. There are some really great views of the sea from the train too, so that part is nice.
We started the day by going to the Russian Cathedral, which was worth the 15 minute walk. We then walked down to the sea and I got to see the Mediterranean for the first time (if you don't count Venice anyways). The seaside is beautiful, and there's a promenade that stretches along the see across Nice. The beach however actually isn't that great since it's all small pebbles. The only sand is imported and only in small areas. But the city itself was quite pretty. We got some sandwiches and pizza from a boulangerie (bread store) and ate them on a bench by the seaside, and then finished the afternoon by going to the top of Castle Hill to catch the absolutely breathtaking sunset over the mountains, sea, and city.
For dinner we were going to check out this a French place I found on TripAdviser near our hotel, but it was right next to a crowded Mexican joint. And well, I do miss Tex-Mex so we decided to give it a shot. I will say it was significantly better than the Mexican place we tried in Paris, though still not quite right. The worst thing is that for some reason all the ethnic food we've tried in France has been too sweet, and this is was no exception. The salsa was sweet, and even the enchiladas were sweet. It was a bit bizarre. Oh, and I almost set the restaurant on fire after my napkin got too close to the open candle flame they had on the table. Luckily some quick blowing out and a douse of water kept it from growing too much.
Our hotel is right in the heart of the city and it was absolutely amazing how much friendly everyone is here. The owner of the small hotel we're staying at was incredibly kind, and when we wandered into a soap store, the sales lady was incredibly helpful! It's like night and day when compared to Paris!
The first part of the train from Paris to Nice is incredibly fast, with the train going almost 200MPH. The French countryside is gorgeous and I passed the time reading about Nice on my Kindle (I usually buy the Rick Steve's books for the Kindle when we travel in Europe, so I can read it on my phone whenever we get lost). However the last half of the trip is very slow as you make your way through various villages, so the total time was about 6 hours to get from Paris to Nice. You take about half the time to go 4/5 of the distance. We'll be in Nice over the weekend, and take the train back Monday morning. There are some really great views of the sea from the train too, so that part is nice.
We started the day by going to the Russian Cathedral, which was worth the 15 minute walk. We then walked down to the sea and I got to see the Mediterranean for the first time (if you don't count Venice anyways). The seaside is beautiful, and there's a promenade that stretches along the see across Nice. The beach however actually isn't that great since it's all small pebbles. The only sand is imported and only in small areas. But the city itself was quite pretty. We got some sandwiches and pizza from a boulangerie (bread store) and ate them on a bench by the seaside, and then finished the afternoon by going to the top of Castle Hill to catch the absolutely breathtaking sunset over the mountains, sea, and city.
For dinner we were going to check out this a French place I found on TripAdviser near our hotel, but it was right next to a crowded Mexican joint. And well, I do miss Tex-Mex so we decided to give it a shot. I will say it was significantly better than the Mexican place we tried in Paris, though still not quite right. The worst thing is that for some reason all the ethnic food we've tried in France has been too sweet, and this is was no exception. The salsa was sweet, and even the enchiladas were sweet. It was a bit bizarre. Oh, and I almost set the restaurant on fire after my napkin got too close to the open candle flame they had on the table. Luckily some quick blowing out and a douse of water kept it from growing too much.
Our hotel is right in the heart of the city and it was absolutely amazing how much friendly everyone is here. The owner of the small hotel we're staying at was incredibly kind, and when we wandered into a soap store, the sales lady was incredibly helpful! It's like night and day when compared to Paris!
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