Je Souhaite

Trying to learn a new language makes you appreciate little triumphs, such as the first time you held a successful conversation with a stranger about the weather. For me, that happened Friday night. I was catching a tram into Geneva, and a little old lady asked me if I was cold, as it was raining a bit and I had no coat. I said no, she mentioned the dropping temperature, and I blamed it on the rain. I said perhaps six words, but they were an appropriate six words, so some communication occurred.

Still, as I sit in the midst of dozens of native French speakers, speaking and laughing, cracking jokes that I can't understand in French and they cannot translate to English, I can't help but feel wistful. It would be nice to enter a real conversation and be able to say something meaningful.

if (wishes == true)
{
std::cout << French << std::endl;
}