Trapped

My French speaking co-worker helped me make an appointment at the podiatrist recommended by my GP. Somehow there was a mix up & no one was there when I arrived. 

I bravely took the bus for the first time to Lonnay, next town over from Morges, only 5 or 6 stops. Everything was going fine walking following Google maps until I got there. Hmmmm….. is her office in an apartment building?  They gave me the code to the building which didn’t work. Looked in the windows and realized I must be in the right place because I saw a nurse/receptionist. Couldn’t get her attention but an old lady came out of a sliding door on the other side and tried to speak to me in French. As soon as I looked in I realized I was in an old-age home.

The receptionists let me in and I showed her the Dr’s name. She tried to describe how to get there (“ walking, walking, walking” … hand gesture) but finally took me on the long walk there when she realized I didn’t understand. Clearly from the smell & numerous apartments with trays at the door we were in a large facility nursing home. Smell of warm fruit cocktail overwhelmed me with the big corridors and industrially-designed carpet.  

Thankfully we found the office with the Dr’s name on the door.  Knock, knock, knock…….no ones home. I called and left a message & waited in some chairs near the billiard table. Someone called me back speaking French and after 5 minutes we both gave up. I left half annoyed, half dejected. I diligently followed the receptionists directions back, walking walking walking til I found the elevator. She said “quartre” or 4 so I hit 4 and found myself in the basement  at -4 with many apartments. Realizing I wasn’t on the the exit floor I tried to get back to “0” or reception but you needed a code to press the elevator buttons. I was trapped!  Heeeeeelp!  I don speak French & I’m stuck in a nursing home in the elevator. I kept 1 foot out of the elevator and one in semi-panicking.  Thank God a nurse came by and told me the code (in French) but when I tried it it didn’t work. Ugh. Another nurse came by and showed me again and I pressed reception. 

Followed signs for “Sortie” but it took me to the cafeteria and finally an exit! Escape. Only 1 problem it wasn’t where I entered so I had no idea where I was. To make things worse a class of kindergarten children were walking by and I didn’t want them to think I was following them in this deserted paths around the building. Finally I got back to where I came in & found my way home. 

I realized this Dr is a diabetic foot specialist so makes sense why her office would be in an assisted living home. My co-worker called to say he called their office to reschedule. I don’t think I’ll be going back. 

Trapped in an assisted-living home