Édith Piaf and Pillow Cases

When I was 16, I was a first year francophone. I considered the complete memorization of Édith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose” to qualify as fluent in the French language. Since I was so fluent, I decided to completely immerse myself in French culture. That is how I ended up with a host family in Guadeloupe and a pillowcase covered in toothpaste–courtesy of my “little sister.” My mouth became stuffed with cotton as I tried to describe the prank to my host mother, and our conversation turned into charades. My message was delivered, and she affectionately described me as “theatrical.”   

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