The smallest things make the biggest difference all of a sudden.
Today on the way to the mall with Kaitlyn, I stopped to fill up the car. I had a quarter tank, but figured since I was passing right by the good gas station, I’d stop. While pumping my petrol, I overheard a man asking for directions. He was clearly speaking American English (you hear a lot of the British variety here). And he was clearly getting nowhere.
When my tank was full, I went over to offer assistance. As I walked up I heard him saying in English is your English any better than my French? Oh, he was struggling. It was an all too familiar struggle.
I’m not good with directions, but I speak pretty good English, I offered. The lost American was holding a print out of a Mapquest map with a star where his hotel is. Downtown somewhere. The French man told me that we were standing well off that piece of paper. I translated. He waved his arm and said tout doit. I translated. Then I asked him a question about the road we were on… we debated whether or not to send the traveler on the highway. Finally, that became the route of choice. The French man offered up directions and I translated into English for the American. Look for the exit marked centre ville. Grenoble? No centre ville.
I tried to explain to the lost man how very confusing driving in Grenoble is. The streets are not well marked and they go every which way. I neglected to warn him that the exits are not marked with street names, but with vague references to places or landmarks you might find by going that way (but probably only if you already know how to get there). I did remember to tell him to look at the signs at intersections, they point out where hotels are. I hadn’t taken my gps along since I know how to find the mall (of course). If I had, it could have helped. But probably would have insulted the French guy who was trying so hard to direct the traveler.
Before heading on our ways, we thanked the French man. He shook our hands and said bon journee.
I don’t know if the poor guy ever got to where he was going. I got to the mall. And I was so excited… it was as if I’d turned a corner… and never even gave it a second thought when I was doing it. The good feeling of knowing my French lasted until I tried to buy shoes.