Total French Immersion

Summer had begun.  As the golden light settled over the village of St. Siffret, new friends gathered in the gardens to enjoy the conversations and a delightful dinner.

These Provencal gardens were uniquely designed to include things of old from the region, now put to new use.

Ah, summer.  It had begun....until two days later my view had changed.  I was going on a unique adventure of being totally immersed in the French language and culture.

Taking Elmo, my granddog, for a two day visit, I looked forward to the early morning walks in the vineyard while the air still had a chill.  Amy and Matt were traveling to the eastern Vaucluse about and hour and a half east,  to a granache wine seminar.  And than....I felt ill.  The night was weeks long.  When the phone rang early to check on the puppy, all I could say to Amy was, "I am sick."

The world changed.  She made two phone calls to neighbors and Matt was on his way back home.  The neighbors, just four of my many heroes, arrived to walk Elmo, call the village doctor, and as John did, a retired English doctor, make his diagnosis, which was correct.

Dr. Mauvezin, our village doctor, arrived at my door, called doctors in Nîmes and Matt and I were on our way for help.  (Can you imagine a doctor who arrives at your door????) 

My next hero, my son in law, Matt, who had to endure every test and translation.  

Arriving at the hospital, we were met at the door and were shown to where the first tests would be taken.  Finally, the verdict arrived, vesicule biliaire, gall bladder with an infection that had to be controlled before anything could be done.  Antibiotics and three weeks later, the laparoscopic surgery to remove the gall bladder would be completed.  Quick recovery.  No problem.

HA!  The infection would not go away, therefore, after a  week in the hospital, Amy and the doctor, (ah, I forgot to say the Dr Gaujoux did not speak English.  Well, most of the nurses did not either.) decided that 9:30 the following morning would be perfect for that old fashion surgery as the infection continued.  It was completed right at the assigned hour, with a greeting before surgery from Dr. Gaujoux in English.  The remaining time in the hospital, eight days.  Ugh!

I felt like I was inside an apricot.  Everything was apricot and couldn't be escaped by going into the halls.

The metal shutters came down to keep the sun out while letting in a gentle breeze.

The morphine, under lock and key, made me very happy.

It is difficult to play a game show in French.  Well, for me.

If toes stay still long enough, they get painted---by Molly who had arrived by air.

Now, the French being known for their superb food, did not excel in this category.  This is breakfast.  Latte tasted delicious, however, the hard toast was not a choice.  Finally, for dinner one evening, I went to the nurse and asked for just mashed potatoes.  They were delicious and 'real'.

The staff was wonderful with excellent care.  We all learned new words and if we could not decipher what someone was saying, gestures were animated.  There were lots of smiles and giggles.  Since the doctor liked my spunk, I got to go home two days early. 

Being home I spent quiet time in the courtyard napping under my small rectangle of the world.

It is now four weeks later and summer has again returned.  I have helped with bottling of the wine, labeling those bottles, eaten gooseberries at the neighbors, walked in the sunflower fields, and gone to the markets.   I have napped under the blue Provencal sky.  Wednesday, I am off to Paris with Molly and Amy.

Summer is here.  And my French?  I do know new words.... used only in hospitals!

No, we have not received the bill, yet.  Our insurance company does know it is coming.

Thank all of you who helped.  And thank you Amy for all your translation and just being there.
Happy Summer Days

Cindy
***I do not recommend this type of Total French Language Immersion!