Joerger École

We bought a multi-region Pioneer DVD Player Recorder with a 80 GB hard disc from these folks in the UK:http://www.leconcepts.com/dvd_home.htm.  The price was reasonable and the machine is great!  Good luck.

I think that it is useful to offer caution for someone from the USA, or elsewhere for that matter, about relocating to work and live in France. At the same time many have been successful.  We have lived in France for nearly seven years. It has been challenging at times. We have had to adapt considerably from our USA life style and culture. There are a few things we miss and wish we could just "import" to here, but we have found that there are many things to recommend living here. That is obvious to most. One thing that has not been difficult for us is being accepted by the French. We have experienced full, whole-hearted acceptance by the French in the area that we live. Sure, people are sometimes cautious, but more often they are warm, courteous and helpful.  I suspect, as has been mentioned, that our attitude make a big difference.  When we first arrived we spoke very little French and understood even less.  That did not seem to matter to our neighbors. Within a week of being here we were invited to dinner in two different homes.  A few months later we attended the annual village picnic where we were introduced to everyone (75 people).  Many were curious about us, why we moved here, how we found France, etc.  It was the beginning of numerous friendships based on mutual respect. By the way, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary “entrepreneur” (and by extension) entrepreneurship as follows: “Etymology: French, from Old French, from entreprendre to undertake”.  I take Afy’s point that France does not have the same level of entrepreneurship as one would experience in the US. Still, recent developments in the French show that the economy is growing.  Small businesses start here everyday. Look around and see that new shops open regularly, new services are advertised, large enterprises expand, new housing is built, etc.  Of course, just as in the US, many small businesses fail within a short time. That is, I believe, the nature of entrepreneurship. Afy makes another good point:  “Do your homework!” I think that is what the original poster is attempting to do by inquiring in this forum. Good luck to them. I hope they find the way to realize their dream of living in France.

Dick, I have used this supplier ( http://www.nierle.de/overture/fr/ )and found their prices to be competitive. I have also used SVP as mentioned by another poster.  They have good prices but poor customer service in my opinion. Finally, I have also used http://www.cdr-by-mail.co.uk/acatalog/CDR_By_Mail_DVD_R__Plus__55.html and had a good luck. It is worth checking all of them as they are quite competitive.  I have not found an inexpensive source in France. Jim

Thank you very much for the replies.  I will follow-up on the web site references.  Much appreciated. James

Thanks for your reply possumgirl.  I didn't say earlier, but I was hoping to have my prescription filled via the internet in the USA.  I have done this before with success and much less cost. That is the reason I was looking for the translation.

Hello, Can someone help me interpret my recent prescription for eye glasses. I want to buy my lens and frames in the USA where they are much cheaper for me, but the French method of describing the corrections is different. For example for my right eye:  (80o (degree mark) -0,75) -1,75, Addition +3,00  How does this translate to Sphere, Cylinder, Axis.  I understand the Addition as the same in English metrics. Any help would be appreciated. James

We use Adinas, Cabinet Jacques Homo in Paris. They speak English and have been very helpful to us for the last 6 years.  [email protected],  Our agent is Isabelle Poitrenaud, 0144635382. James

My wife recently had a root canal and crown treatment in the Loir et Cher.  It was about 700 euro.  Security Social reimbersed about 175 euro and our top-up (mid-range) reimbersed another approximately 300 euro.  On the other hand, I had a similar treatment two years ago and the total was 85 euros. Not being a dental expert I cannot tell you if my wife got eight times the quality of care.  So, the price can vary considerably depending on the dentist's charges. My dentist did everything himself over four 30-minute appointments. My wife's dentist had two assistants in his office and did the procedure in two visits.

Yes, most of the tow paths are posted for "no vehicle."  We have ridden our bicycles on many different tow paths and have never been challenged. In fact, the lock keepers, who often drive back and forth on the paths as they move from lock to lock, usually wave and smile.  The paths are of variable quality. Some are paved and even have painted divide lines. Others are paths of gravel or just dirt. The book I mention above describes the quality of the paths.

Will, I have a copy of a nice book on the subject:  Cycling Along the Waterways of France, Tony Roberts, MBI Publishing Company, 1998.  Don't know how available it might be but the address for MBI is 729 Prospect Avenue, P.O. Box 1, Osceola, WI 54020, USA The author describes routes using mostly tow paths in Brittany (Canal nantes à Brest), the Garonne Valley, Gascony and the Midi, and Burgundy. Your idea for the ride sounds wonderful.  We have spent many an enjoyable vacation bicycle touring in France. We now live here and still find the cycling marvelous. Good luck to you. Jim