Hi Molly,
We lived there from 94 to 98 and I had to walk a lot. It was later that I had problems. We were in Neuilly first and I went to the American Hospital for the big needle! Later, we moved to the 16th (much better public transport there) and I went to see a rheumy called "Charley Cohen" on Ave Marceau (I Think - my brain gets foggy) I still have his card if you want the information. I did not know at the time what I was in store for!
I absolutely loved Paris and France and if there was a way to work and stay I would have - I speak fluently and never had any problems. It miss it and keep a desk calendar with photos to remembers. I especially miss the cheese - everything is pasteurized here. Funny thing is that when I had gotten the heel spur I thought for a while that the calcium in the cheeses caused it!
You are in Brittany - anywhere near the Enchanted Forest or Rennes?
At one point we took a drive to the center of France (literally) and there's a small town call St Suplice with a chapel in the middle of a field and a natural spring - so I dunked my foot and prayed to St Suplice (it took a vist to Charley for St Suplice to hear me!).
the Claw foor you describe - my foot sort of looks like when they used to break chinese girls feet - if you have ever seen a pic, its ghastly - now just the instep part. I still need a size 10 shoe!!
Its been quite a ride figuring all this out.
Ciao,
Lucy
