A visit to the lawyer and others!

07.11.2004

One of the reasons for coming back to Strasbourg is to sort out my divorce. Any legal process is complicated to the layman but when it is in a foreign language and country, the learning curve is even steeper. Complications on complications arise when one is not ordinarily a resident of the country and when one's spouse works for an organisation such as the Council of Europe My lawyer, Maitre Louisadat ( lawyers are addressed as Maitre in French), has a very efficient, down to earth manner that I like and trusted instinctively. She specializes in family and women issues and is sympathetic but matter of fact. However, her office is not accessible. Why did I choose a lawyer whose office is not accessible? Because I do not think there are many lawyers whose offices are accessible. In this case she was recommended to me by a friendly social worker as somebody who is "correct" who will do what is right and charge accordingly. I like the fact that she is specifically an advocate for women in the courts. We had a compromise and that is that we had been having our meetings over cups of coffee in a cafe downstairs from her office. And we did it once under the rain. I like the fact that she did it without a fuss but it is getting colder and I mentioned that it would not prove to be a good solution later on in the autumn when winter is approaching. She agreed to come to my apartment for future meetings.
I've also been back to the ANPE for my appointment with a counselor. It looks like I do not fit into any of their categories - interdisciplinary courses are not the norm in France, I have to choose what type of a job I would be focusing on getting - I decided I would be a documentalist - information specialist do not exist here and my particular brand of web accessibility/ usability specialist is not well known. We decided that I need an "accompagnator" to help me write a better cv in French and to research for jobs. We also decided that I need intensive French course in written French - she was surprised about that, she thought I was managing quite well in the language. I told her that my spoken French was fine but I have had never had a formal lesson, I learnt my French on the park bench with other mums when I used to take the kids ever afternoon to the citadelle park.
I stopped at Petite France to have coffee and met, and started chatting to Phillipe, an architect, about his motorised trike. I am not sure what chronic ailment he has but it affects his nerves. We introduced ourselves, he said he lived in the area and that he finds his disability affected his career but he doesn't do much any more. The one remark that caused me reflection is that he said he has a problem with travelling and it is a mental issue. I have decided to get myself a frequent traveller card for Strasbourg/ Paris. It costs 138 euros and will lasts for 3 months. It means that I can have any train ticket for half the price and it should be worth it even if I only do 3 trips. I will be going almost every week between now and Christmas so I hope it will prove its good value.