Owning My Place: Trusting Myself to Lead

 Owning My Journey: The Transformation of an Expert

When I left the U.S., I didn’t know what I was walking toward, but I knew what I was leaving behind: a version of myself that often doubted her value. The past year has been a transformative journey, not only geographically but within my own identity. Developing my blog and sharing my photography has opened a door I never knew existed—the door to vulnerability. I’ve learned that through vulnerability, I’ve been able to connect authentically, not only with others but with myself.

Trusting Myself: The Journey of Becoming an Expert

Travel has always been my greatest teacher. In the past, I thought my value as a guide was in how well I could follow a script—hitting the expected landmarks, ticking boxes for others to show them the France they thought they wanted to see. But stepping away from the familiar, immersing myself in my passions, and embracing my perspective has allowed me to see travel in an entirely new light.

It’s in the trust I’ve started to see from my clients that I feel the most gratitude. A family who came to me expecting a typical city tour of Paris ended up exploring rural villages, learning how to bake treats with a local family, and sitting down for a communal farm-to-table meal with neighbors eager to share stories. A solo traveler with a list of “must-see” sights found themselves volunteering in a vineyard, dining with a family excited to share their farming traditions, and connecting with locals in ways they never expected.

These moments, where travelers go from tourists to participants, have validated my belief in the kind of travel I want to guide. It’s not about crafting the perfect itinerary; it’s about creating room for serendipity, for human connection, and for the beauty of the unexpected.

Owning My Expertise 

I used to shy away from calling myself an “expert,” fearing it sounded pretentious or self-important. But as Montaigne once wrote, “The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” Over the past decade, I’ve come to understand that owning my experiences—my failures, my growth, my unique perspective—isn’t arrogance; it’s authenticity. Like Montaigne, I see life as a journey of discovery, shaped by the wisdom we accumulate through observation, reflection, and connection.

Being an expert isn’t just about knowing a place; it’s about understanding how to bridge the gap between a traveler and the soul of a destination. It’s in crafting experiences that go beyond the surface, where tourists become participants in local life, where a meal becomes a story, and where a quiet village becomes a portal to understanding. This philosophy of immersion mirrors Montaigne’s ethos—an insistence on seeking depth, finding meaning, and embracing the messy beauty of discovery.

Recently, a traveler approached me with dreams of visiting Paris, captivated by the allure of all things French. I smiled and replied, ‘Paris is lovely, but it’s not France. I can show you Paris, and then I can show you France.

Paris is a city of undeniable beauty and complexity—a world within a world. It’s a place where languages intertwine, where French blends with Arabic, English, and countless other tongues. The city is shaped by the ebb and flow of global influences, a tapestry woven with threads of colonial history, migration, and international exchange. Parisians may not like to admit it, but much of what makes Paris so vibrant comes from far beyond France’s borders.

You’ll stand before Napoleon’s grand arches and columns while savoring flavors inspired by North Africa or the Middle East, enjoying dishes that feel quintessentially Parisian but aren’t traditionally French. In the same afternoon, you’ll wander through lush green parks nestled beside bustling train stations, a mix of serene escape and urban chaos. And when you visit the city’s famed museums, you’ll be in awe of the art and artifacts—but they often tell a broader story. Paris’s grandeur has been enriched by colonial history, with treasures and exhibits from Egypt, Baghdad, and beyond.

That’s Paris: a city of contrasts, a microcosm of the world, an international stage. It’s enchanting, but it’s only one piece of France. To truly understand the country, you have to step outside Paris and into the rolling landscapes of the terroir, where the traditions of small towns and villages speak a quieter, more intimate language. It’s there you find the heart of France—the farmers who coax life from the soil, the artisans preserving centuries-old crafts, the meals shared not in haste but in reverence for the moment.

Crafting this traveler’s journey was an invitation to explore those contrasts, to embrace Paris for her complexities while also revealing the France that lives beyond her borders. Witnessing their wonder as they discovered both sides of this beautiful country reminded me why I love sharing my authentic vision of travel—one that celebrates the full spectrum of what a place has to offer.

Moving Forward with Gratitude

The trust my clients place in me continues to humble me. Each time someone says, “We trust you,” I feel a sense of responsibility, not just to deliver an experience but to provide something deeper—an understanding of a place, its people, its culture, and the beauty that lives in its corners.

For years, the universe handed me opportunities, but I didn’t always know how to channel them. Now, I see a path forward—one rooted in authenticity, connection, and intention. I don’t just want to guide travelers to famous landmarks; I want to invite them into the quiet moments that make them stop and feel alive.

This past year has taught me to own my story, my skills, and my unique way of seeing the world. For the first time, I’m not afraid to call myself an expert—not because I know everything, but because I’m committed to learning, growing, and creating meaningful experiences. It’s not just travel—it’s transformation.

In 2025, I’m embarking on a new chapter of exploration, one that takes me to the western side of France. This journey feels like a continuation of the authentic connections I’ve built, but also a chance to expand my understanding of this diverse country. While I plan to visit a few iconic sites to appreciate their unique histories, my heart is drawn to the smaller towns and lesser-known places. Among these explorations, I’ll visit regions where my ancestors, like Michel de Montaigne, lived and thrived. Walking in their footsteps, I hope to feel the resonance of their lives and ideas, connecting my personal journey with the lineage of those who came before me. Each step into these untraveled paths feels like both an adventure and a homecoming, a reminder that the soul of travel often lies in the unlikeliest of places.