Today was our appointment with the gentleman at the MSA - Mutualité Sociale Agricole. Spent the morning trying to come up with a list of questions to ask, in French, about the status of Cotisant Solidaire - the profession we were under the impression would allow us to start the campsite (albeit in a bit of an unconventional way). I think we both felt as prepared as we were going to, and set off to Meyssac in the sunshine hoping the afternoon would be straightforward and just a bit of a formality.
Our appointment was at 14h00 and we arrived in plenty of time. The office was nothing like what we expected - infact it resembled nothing more than a square building with not a lot going for it. Inside was not much more exciting, a very sparse waiting area with a small table and ancient copies of Paris Match magazine. The meeting started with some very nice pleasantries but then things just went downhill. First of all I was asked for proof that I did indeed own the land we were speaking about - in the form of the official deeds from the solicitor who put through the sale of the property. I didn't have them with me. Then we got on to the subject of 'cotisant solidaire' and it became clear, very quickly, that by registering as this profession I would be entitled to no healthcare cover whatsoever, which is all very well at the moment, but maybe not in future years - none of us, after all, know what awaits us round the corner. We were already aware that healthcare was going to be a bit of an issue with this profession, but I think at this moment the complexity of the whole French system really started to hit home. And at that point I just started to feel overwhelmed and my brain frazzled, and once that happens, I knew what would come next - ah yes, the waterworks came on and I made a complete and utter prat of myself. Poor Monsieur Feix didn't quite know what to do, I don't think, and just kept trying to make light of the situation and tell me there was no need to cry. At that point, bless his heart, he took the list of questions I had prepared, and went through them one by one and wrote answers to them. He was very sweet, and I did at least manage to regain some composure.
We came away not quite sure what had happened, what it all meant, and how we were going to proceed, but needless to say it has left me feeling pretty knackered and deflated. At times like this I realise just how alone were really are here now, with only each other for support. I guess that has to be enough for now, at least until we meet some new people, and make new friends. Its hard though, and while I do not regret coming over here at all, I do find it hard to accept how some things have changed more than I thought they would. That makes me sad.
But anyway, the day did kind of end up on a positive note. For despite being defeated by the MSA, I risked putting myself through more distress by attempting Macaroons again - and this time they worked (although I don't have a picture, sorry!). I didn't follow Lorraine Pascale's recipe this time - but please don't tell her that because she may decided not to be my twitter friend anymore. And I need all the friend I can get right now!
Anyway, this has been a depressing post, so here are some of the nice things of the day. Because there are always positives, you just have to look for them.
I promise to be chirpier next time!
Alison
xx
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