The summer after I graduated from college I had
the opportunity to travel to France with a few close friends. A group of
five of us left for France on the cheapest flight we could find the morning
following graduation. We had plans to stay for the entire summer just to see what unfolded. None of us had jobs lined up or anything to rush back to, so we took things in stride, determined to have the adventure of a lifetime. We learned quickly, however, that forgetting a
French dictionary was not the best way to start a great summer!
Ironically, we talked briefly about what we should each bring on our journey to France, and I even remember hearing one of the
girls mention that we would do well to remember a French dictionary since none of us spoke a word of French. I thought that advice was wise, but I never thought to bring
it myself. I was convinced that one of the more organized and responsible ladies
would surely remember to bring such a valuable tool for our survival.