Carnaval 2020
Lockdown in France with a side of Covid-19 sounds like a horror movie that would never appear on my radar. Ever. But it did, and I am glad to have made it through reasonably unscathed.
So, without further ado, here’s the reader’s digest version of our last few weeks before Corona, the lockdown, Covid-19, and (initial) life after lockdown.
The Mantra Lives On
BUT.WE.LIVE.IN.FRANCE
I spent the first week of March gathering documents for the renewal of our Carte de Sejours (the residence card which allows us to remain in France, year by year). Thus the mantra. Being France, the required documents were massive, but I pulled everything together without losing my mind. Step one completed. There has to be an easier way, please, France.
We had our appointment to meet a representative and drop off our dossiers at the Prefecture in Beziers on Thursday, March 12th (visas expire June 1st). Step two completed.
That weekend it was announced that France would enter into a lockdown beginning Tuesday, March 17th, at noon. It was a surreal moment. All non-essential businesses, including government offices and post offices, would be closed (REALLY?!…but our Carte de Sejours…), as well as schools, bars, cafes, restaurants, florists, etc. When out of the house, we would need to carry an attestation (a signed, dated, and time-stamped affidavit). They began with five reasons for you to be outside of your home: work, essential shopping, medical, helping family, and exercise (1hr, within 1km, one time per day). Eventually, it went from paper to a phone app (well done, France).
Here Come the Gendarmes
Ray and I had doctor appointments on the first day of lockdown. After printing and filling out our attestations, we headed to the doctor (a ten-minute walk).
I saw them before they saw me. As we rounded a corner, six gendarmes stood in the middle of the street, just waiting for us. As we drew closer, they motioned us over.
Of course, I thought they wanted to be up and close and personal (I was wrong), so stepping forward, I pulled out my passport and attestation (Ray stayed on the curb with documents in hand). They waved me back while quickly looking at my papers. Although they were kind, it was an intimidating experience. I returned to memories of crossing the border from Detroit to Ontario in high school. Back then, it was always intimidating.
The Lockdown Plan
My lockdown plan was to spend quality time with paints, pads, and brushes and to prepare the documents for our first French tax declaration, all 36 pages, as requested by the accountant. Thank goodness we had recently submitted our US ex-pat federal and state taxes—one less worry.
I decided to paint for a few hours before the dreaded document chase began.
I was working on a watercolor of a Chanel 2.55 bag when I started to feel ill. Very ill. I thought if I could lie down, I would feel better. The painting was never finished, and the rest of Spring flew by in a hazy blur of Covid-19.
Covid-19: IT’S NOT A HOAX FOLKS
In my almost 66 years, I have never been so ill. I won’t go into detail, but I never want to experience anything remotely close to that again. On a positive note, I saw JW up close and personal, which was priceless. I realize I am very fortunate/blessed to have made it through, but I still deal with some lingering issues. I was advised full recovery takes time, and don’t I know that!
Even Marianne knows it’s real.
What I find interesting, though, is that many folks still don’t believe this virus exists, or they think it is some punishment. I was saddened (actually shocked) by a handful of messages I received from so-called friends telling me it was because my ‘walk’ was not what it should be or I was imagining it. Really? Really?! JEEZ!!
Some folks who have not been personally affected don’t ‘get it.’ I believe it’s fair to say that before it’s over, we all will be affected somehow.
Enough said.
The First Steps of Deconfinement
The gradual easing of lockdown began on May 11th. No more attestation forms, woohoo! Seriously, that was a biggie. Businesses in my town could reopen if they chose to (many remained closed). Restaurants, bars, and cafes remain closed, although many offer takeaway.
We can travel up to 100km (62 miles) in our department (county), but our borders remain closed.
Social distancing is encouraged (one meter); however, the concept of space between folks is not part of the DNA here. So, although masks are not mandatory except on public transport (some shops require them also), we will continue to don them to compensate a bit.
Hand sanitizer is everywhere: outside shops, inside shops, and at the entrances of the Saturday market.
I love how these turned out!
Hair cut tomorrow!
The Saturday Market is Back
I was thrilled that the Saturday market had resumed. Instead of the usual free-for-all, there are entrances and exits with adjacent tables of hand sanitizer manned by security. With the help of arrows, the market now flows in one direction; no more running back and forth.
It was fantastic to see our favorite vendors (I’ve been worried about them). I waved instead of bisous, and Ray received elbow bumps. If this is the new norm, I’ll take it.
The End, But Not The End
On June 6th, it will be ONE YEAR since we arrived in France. Time has flown by, and we’ve experienced so much, both good and not-so-good.
If I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know, I’d do it in a heartbeat, and that is a marvelous feeling.
I’ve rambled on long enough. Thank you for taking the time to read my overdue post. It’s always appreciated.
Stay well.
XXX
***This is our experience. Your experience in France could be very different***
***Lockdown in France With a Side of Covid-19 first appeared on Chasing The Next Chapter.***
Madame Harmon, I would appreciate it if you’d remove my photo.
Merci.
Love you
Not on your life, Monsieur Harmon.
Love you too!
Oh, of course I had no idea…so very happy to hear you are on the mend. ❤❤
And, it is soon to be 1 year?! You are living your dream.
Take good care of each other.
Missed you
Terry! Hi! I hope you are well. I can’t believe it’s almost a year. The months have flown by. I’ve missed you too.
Sending love and hugs.
XXX
“Being France, the necessary documents required was massive, (…) There has to be an easier way, please France. Please!”: as a French citizen living in the USA, required documents to get, then renew my green card were massive, too… (not even mentioning all the proofs of morality you need to provide USCIS with, which I don’t remember my foreign husband had to provide French emigration services with, when he applied for French citizenship). Lucky you, Barb, you now live a a stunningly beautiful region, thank you so much for sharing your story, it brings me back to my homeland, very refreshing 🙂
Hi Nathalie,
Thank you for visiting. I have friends that went through immigration in the US and they also said it was a nightmare. Too many documents, proof of this and that. I was shocked that we needed an FBI background check for the French consulate with our initial visa request in LA. I would imagine most countries require lots of documentation. However, the two countries we looked at before deciding on France, made it easy-peasy to live as a full-time resident. The difference…they weren’t France. So far, we are enjoying living here.
So good to hear your doing well and I’m glad the worst is over. It really has been a bizarre year and I will be so glad to see it gone.
I’m in So. California and still hunkered down. I’m like a tiger pacing it’s cage.
Love hearing from you. Wishing you and Ray more wonderful chapters but no more like this one. Be well my friend.
Hi Laurie,
Thank you for visiting and commenting. You know we appreciate it!
I want to fast forward through 2020, seriously! What a year so far!
You know I am a So Cal gal at heart (lived in the LA area for years), so I watch the news like a hawk. You guys were hit very hard. You are doing the right thing by hunkering down.
Wear your mask when you do venture out. Not a lot of mask-wearing here, although it started out with a bang. I expect to see a second outbreak.
I hope I’m wrong.
Love and hugs.
XXX
So enjoy reading your posts! I’m glad you are feeling better. Love your positive outlook despite what must have been an awful illness.
Hi Anne,
Thank you for your kind words! I so appreciate your visit!
This virus is unbelievably evil… If someone would have told me last year how it would change the world, I wouldn’t have believed it!
Stay well, please wear a mask.
XXX
Dear Barb,
I was in lockdown in Nice with my daughter who had caught CV19 and your description is very apt. So glad to hear you have recovered as I was wondering how you and Ray were faring. Love your masks btw and inspired, as ever, by your indomitable spirit!
Kind regards,
Stephanie
Hi Stephie,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. First of all, I hope your daughter is doing well; the virus is pure evil!
You guys were on curfew in Nice! I have friends there and it made it difficult to walk dogs at night.
I was so excited about the masks. The design is interesting as it toggles behind the head (I hate things around my ears). The guy I worked with is a genius and local, which is nice.
Take good care, and wear your mask.
XXX
SO HAPPY YOU MADE IT………and you saw your SON IN HEAVEN SO THAT SAYS A TON RIGHT THERE!
YOU LOOK GRAND WITH YOUR CHATEAU MASK!
I can recall living in Italy the paperwork and QUESTURA I think it was called!We had to line up at 7 am………..
took hours had to do a couple of times and WE KNEW PEOPLE!!!
Drove me Crazy not to mention the post office if you sealed an envelope it cost MORE to mail rather than tucking it inside!I always looked at FRANCE at that time as if it was 20 years ahead of ITALY!At least they have restrooms you can use in FRANCE!!!! In ITALY they hid them and you had to BUY SOMETHING TO USE!
STAY WELL……….and THANK YOU for the REPORT!TIME TO FINISH THE PAINTING NOW!
FRIENDS YOU CAN PICK I would BOOT THOSE PEOPLE FROM YOUR CIRCLE!
XX
Elizabeth! Contessa! Hi! Thank you for visiting and commenting…I appreciate it.
I’m glad I made it through, although the alternative was rather lovely (Monsieur Harmon doesn’t think so).
The masks turned out well. They don’t go around the ears (too much going on behind my ears with my glasses). There’s a toggle on an adjustable cord, so it’s easy to adjust on the back of the head. So many little local businesses are suffering, so I was glad to collaborate (his mask, my designs) with a neighborhood shop.
I’m anxiously waiting to receive the text advising us to pick up our Carte de Sejours. I will rest easier once they are in our hands! I really don’t like the waiting game, but I knew what we were getting into moving here as opposed to a few other spots we considered.
Finishing the painting is on my list. Sooner than later.
Stay well! You are a bright light that needs to keep shinning.
XXX
SO< HAPPY MY COMMENT WENT THROUGH!
Of course, it did. XXX