Toshi’s Blog

Last December, I got an email from Dr. Alain Decker and Dr. Germain Becker, the Professor of Department of Orthodontics of University Paris V, that they would invite me for the CEO congress in Reims, June, 2011.
I was thinking to attend the EOS meeting in Istanbul because I had been absent from EBO meeting for few years, however, I decided to attend not EOS but CEO meeting because Alain and Germain are one of the dearest friends of mine.
 
On June 9th, I got off the plane at L’aéroport de Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle.
I easily found Alain at the Lobby and he took me to Reims, the city of Champagne.
 

 
After checking in the Hotel, Alain and I had some Champagne at the Bar, and attended the dinner party.
 

Center of Reims.
 

Beautiful city, Champagne, Bordeaux wine, food,,, every thing was so nice.
 

On 11th, the congress was started with president Dr. Stephane Barthelemy’s opening ceremony, and then Alain’s presentation.
 

 
This is the congress room.
 
On12th, Dimanche, it is my presentation day.
 

This is the venue.
 


Wow, I am “VIP”!
 

Wow, she is so beautiful!
 
Dr. Laure Frapier’s lecture, “Pourquoi extraire?” finished.
Now it is my turn!
Dr. Sandrine Favot and Dr. Emmanuel Frerejouan, the presidents of this session, introduced me, “Dr, Hiro, you are one of the most famous Lingual Orthodontists around the world, diplomate of Member of Orthodontist RCSEd, diplomate of European Board of Orthodontists, diplomate of Japan Orthodontic Board,,,etc,,, and thank to attend this meeting in spite of quite serious situation with the Earthquake in Japan,,,”
I was surprised at this introduction because I am recognizing myself as just an orthodontist who has small practice in local town in Japan.
I thanked all of them and bowed for all attendants, as Japanese customs.
 
I started my lecture.
“Bonjour, à toutes et à tous！”
Applause.
 
“Je remercie le Dr Stephane Barthelemy, président du collège européen d’orthodontie, et le Professeur Alain Decker, qui me donnent aujourd’hui l’opportunité de m’exprimer à ce merveilleux congrès.”
Greater applause, someone said “Wow!”
 
And I continued my presentation.
“Avant de débuter cette conférence, j’aimerais me présenter.  J’ai une clinique exclusivement en orthodontie dans la région de Nagano, au Japon. Ma clinique est située à  Shiojiri, ville peuplée de soixante mille habitants. Comme vous le savez, la ville de Nagano est connue pour ses jeux Olympiques d’hiver, et est entourée par de magnifiques montagnes et une très jolie nature,,,,”
Then, the room became silent because I held whole of my 45 minutes presentation in French.
 

 
Can I speak French?
No, no, not at all.
I have never learned Friench, however, I decided to make my presentation in French just to make Alain and Germain surprise.
I started to study French just before 6 months of the congress.
English is enough difficult for myself, but French is much difficult because of its pronunciation such as “a”, “e”, “g”, “j”, “r”, “u”, “v”, “w”, “y” ,,,etc., and the letters that must be silent such as “h” or some consonants, some must be pronunced as nose vowel,,,etc..
6 months was never enough to make my presentation in French because of constant overwork.
In addition, I had an unlucky happening when I spoke at the congress.
The presenter’s tool of Power point had problems!
 

 
Regularly, 45minutes presentation is not long for my self, however, this 45 minutes was the longest one in my life.
 
“Vous comprenez pourquoi, maintenant, l’orthodontie linguale a beaucoup d’avantages par rapport à l’orthodontie labiale.  J’espère que l’orthodontie linguale va s’étendre dans le monde, et que vous y prendrez plaisir.  Merci pour votre attention.  Au plaisir de vous retrouver à ESLO Francfort.”
I concluded my speech.
I was so happy that I had the greatest applause in my life.
I left the congress and visited the restaurant to have some bière, vin rouge, kir and tartare,,,.
 
Then I came back to hotel, and had some foods.
 

I had a fish dinner with Beer and Ker.
 

The desserts were Super!
 
The night, I had incredible Vomit, Diarrhea and Fever.
Maybe the Tartar, I took yesterday, was not good.
I took drug but didn’t work so I couldn’t attend the dinner party at POMMERY.
I struggled for all the night, and the “Imosium” could improve my worst condition.
 

On 13th, Alain gave me the drug and fortunately I almost recovered so I could make my 3 hours’ presentation at University of Reims.
 

After my lecture in University of Reims.
 
After my session, Alain and I went to Lionel’s laboratory office.
His office was so nice, every thing was so beautiful, including his staff.
 

 

Lionel, Alain and I had a lunch, then we went to Université de Paris V.
 

This is the entrance of school of dentistry, for faculties.
 

The hospital was quite clean and nice, too.
 

There is a garden in the hospital. They make wine with this grape every year.
 
Alain reserved Hilton Paris for me, and it was super.
 
June 15^th, the day for back to Japan.
I woke up early and went to Montmartle.
 

I searched him,,,,Tonny,,,Bingo,I got him!
It was my first time to see him in last 8 years.
I showed a picture, that I took it with him in 2003 when I saw him first time.
I was very happy that I could see him again.
 

Then I headed to Dr Fillion’s office.
 

 

He works too hard everyday, from 10:00 to 19:30.
He is absolutely a “Super Doctor”.
I respect him.
 
I took the plane and went back to Japan, and returned to my private practice next day.
I hope to see you soon!
 
“Au revoir , mon ami！”