First entire conversation in French (and I almost understood every word) and Rodin Museum

“Bonjour, je veux mon livre.”

Winifred, Hocus Pocus

Bonjour from Paris! A major milestone happened today. I had an entire conversation in French and almost understood every word. It was with my doctor’s office here in Paris, over the phone nonetheless. This gives me hope that once I take French conversation classes and spend some time here, I should become fluent. I do already dream in French occasionally, but my vocabulary in those dreams is limited to simple words and phrases.

First Doctor’s Appointment: This week I did go to my first Doctor’s appointment in France. The hospital, Hôpital Cochin in the 15th arrondissement, hosts the eye doctor my USA eye doctor referred me to. Even with a mix up with the appointment, he saw me that morning in between his other patients. He explained the four doctors I will see regularly in Paris: a general practitioner (or primary care physician), an optometrist (for regular eye checkups), his specialist office (for annual check-ups), and an internal medicine doctor. I definitely appreciate his time in explaining this all to me since the French medical system is very different from the USA system.

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Musée Rodin: One of my favorite gardens to visit is located at the Musée Rodin (https://www.musee-rodin.fr/). It contains a beautiful garden encased in high walls so it’s generally quiet. The artist, Auguste Rodin, produced many bronze sculptures including “The Thinker.” Most of my trips to Paris included some time in these gardens. Since I will be going there a lot, I bought their annual pass for 30 euros: well worth it for the tranquil gardens.

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Wonder Follow 2021: This weekend is the Wonder Follow 2021 (https://www.wonderfollow.com/) swing dance workshop in Paris. I will be a leader for one of the followers for a couple of classes. I’m excited to be participating in the swing scene in Paris which appears to be alive and well this fall.

Paris Fashion: As I’ve observed every-day men’s Parisian fashion, one of the characteristics is they tend to use solid colors, rather than stripes or prints. I found a men’s store that is filled with brilliant, yet solid, colored outfits including bow ties (https://www.thenines.fr/). So, it looks like a subset of my American clothes will fit in nicely until I need to buy more clothes here.

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So, moving right along with my integration into the Parisian life.

Until me meet in Paris…