Today I caught up with my good friend for lunch and a bit of a natter (chat). We usually meet halfway between our respective homes and tried out a pub meal which was delicious. However before our meeting, I had to stop and take a photo of two P&O cruise liners which were at Station Pier.

While taking a photo I overhead a middle aged couple talking in French so I decided to bite the bullet and have a conversation with them. After all, my goal of learning French was always to have a conversation “on the street” with some local or native speakers.

It was time to tick that goal off.

So I started the conversation. I excused myself and mentioned that I heard them speaking French.

I asked them if they were visitors to Melbourne and they said Yes, I welcomed them.

I pointed to the ship and asked if they had travelled here by ship.

They were delighted that I started a conversation. They knew very little English and they explained they were visiting their son who works here and lives in Southbank on the 69th floor of a large building. I asked about how they’re finding our city and commiserated that we had miserable weather. However they didn’t mind. They were off to Noumea next. I constantly apologised for my French but they were laughing and saying that it was fine – I couldn’t believe we were having a full conversation about travelling and what to do around town.

I must say I was pretty chuffed with myself. I achieved what I set out to do a couple of years ago with learning a new language.

I love it. I love the idea of understanding another language and culture. I can’t believe it sometimes when I stop myself and think, “wow, I can understand what they’re saying!”It immediately creates a connection and conversation. I cant wait to get back to France, New Caledonia or to Noumea myself to just fully immerse myself in the language.

(One of the things I’d love to do is a full immersion program with CREIPAC in New Caledonia and do a home stay with a local family.

I’ll have to see how I can wangle this and be able to pay for it somehow. However, where there’s a will, there’s always a way.