Class three..."ir" verbs

Most French verbs end in "er" (what we learned last week) or "ir", this week's lesson. And it is true, if I ever make it to France, at some point I will need to partir.

partir (to leave)

je (I)

pars

nous (we)

partons

tu (you, inf)

pars

vous (you, formal)

partez

il/elle/on (he/she one)

part

ils/elles (they)

partent

But before je part,  I must actually get there. And getting there? It's not as easy as I hoped.

I started my research by looking at places available on a sabbatical exchange program. My job qualifies me for membership there, so I've been poking around. Do people in French want to live in DC for 6 months? A year? And if so, do they want to live in a little condo by the Wharf? Or would they prefer a big house in the suburbs?

But really, where they might want to exchange is the least of my problems. I simply cannot just show up in France. I have to have a visa that allows me entry - and it is reasonable to expect I could stay for one year, but it seems I must be able to show I have enough money to live there without being a drain on the French system - but I also need to have healthcare.

And now is when I breathe a sigh of relief because about 25 years ago, mon mari (my husband) switched jobs. And that job? It comes with a pension and access to health care. BINGO! A lucky twist in my adventure, for sure.

Of course, the other option is for us to travaillons au Paris, which is another avenue to get to Paris for the year - but of course, that means we will be working, not just sitting in a cafe where vous mangeons dejuner (we eat lunch) because it's cheaper than dinner!

Elaine

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