Project Optimism : The Perks of Being in a Cast in Paris

FIVE WEEKS. Five long weeks with a resin made « ball and chain » stretching from the start of my toes to just below my knee. Misery, you would think. And yes while it was cumbersome, and the novelty got old really fast, I like to look on the bright side and have decided to reflect on the perks of wearing a cast in Paris. Call it a version of project optimism…

• People give up their seat on the bus for you. If you are a commuter in Paris, (or in any large metropolis for that matter, you know how coveted seats are. Well a cast guarantees you that someone will get off their derrière and let you pose yours. #WIN!

• Magically, like disguised angels, some Parisians appear and help you with your groceries as you are struggling to get in your heavy apartment building door on one foot and fighting a loosing battle with crutches. And you thought there were no kind and generous Parisians!

• Friends come over to see you at home. It’s fantastic! Suddenly your schedule opens up, and people make the effort to go to you.

• Speaking of those crutches, you build some nice toned arm muscles! Hauling yourself around with the strength of your own two arms is a great work out. Forget the aquabike! Go to your pharmacy and get some crutches people!

• I didn’t plan on it, but it just so happens that my injury landed right before/during summer vacation time. this = extra « vacation » time! Well, it does get boring not being able to go out and do much, but for once I am forced to rest, something I NEVER do. I had time to do a pedicure more than once, to read books, watch movies, and being on social media so much that I kinda got bored of it.

• But let’s face it, a cast is not very aesthetic. It’s downright « moche » if you ask me. But, that meant hoping on the computer for a quick online fashion shopping session, to be delivered to the door, thank-you-very-much. Long summer sun dresses! Long enough to cover the ugly cast, but fun and easy to wear when stuck in an off-white-less-than-glam « boot ».

• Chéri did A LOT of the cooking and cleaning. Like mega hero amount of picking up the slack that I couldn’t handle. Plus, he improved his master chef skills, and makes a fancy sauce marchand de vin to go with a succulent bavette steak. This from a man who when I met him didn’t know how to cook rice!

Now I am cast-free, but still hobbling around with crutches as my injury heals a little bit more every day. Hopefully by the end of August 2014, I’ll be able to run around Paris as usual.

So, as rough as it was to suffer through, I have been lucky with this foot injury. And in the meantime, I have learned a lot, A LOT about patience.

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