Not Just Politics: The Quiet Grief of an American Abroad

A Seat at the Table: Bearing Witness at the European Parliament

I wasn’t expecting to feel so much.

It was supposed to be a simple afternoon—an exciting one, no doubt, but still, just a glimpse into the workings of the European Parliament. As someone with a background in political science and a life steeped in travel, being granted access to a live debate session felt like the kind of moment you note quietly in your memory, file under “professional wins,” and carry on.

But then I sat down and listened.

The session was focused on retaliatory tariffs against the United States. More specifically, in response to decisions made by a political figure I won’t name here—because, much like Voldemort, his name feels like a platform, and I’d rather not give him one.

And suddenly, it was no longer just an academic moment. It was personal. My heart rate quickened. My hands trembled slightly. I realized, in real time, that I was watching some of the world’s most influential voices debate the global fallout of my home country’s actions. It wasn’t hypothetical. It wasn’t distant. It was here, now, and deeply real.

The Weight of the Mirror 

It’s a strange thing to feel so disconnected from a place, and yet so affected by how it’s perceived. I’ve spent the past few years intentionally putting space between myself and the United States—not just physically, but emotionally, philosophically. I’ve done the inner work, questioned my allegiance, unpacked my privilege. I’ve learned to speak about the U.S. from a place of nuance, not nationalism.

But watching that debate, I wasn’t prepared for how it would feel to hear my country laid bare in such stark terms. I agreed with the criticisms—I’ve voiced them myself countless times. But hearing them echoed in this grand chamber by people with the power to act on them… it was like watching your house catch fire, from outside the window, knowing your family is still inside.

The proposed measures made sense. Still, I wondered how they would ripple. How would they touch the people I love? How would they impact me, even if I’m only briefly returning? There was no clean answer. Only the heaviness of being caught between identities—branded by the place you came from, even when your heart has found home elsewhere.

A Global Reckoning

There was an eerie familiarity to it all. As the speakers raised their voices—not in anger, but in solemn urgency—I couldn’t help but feel like I was watching history repeat itself. A debate before the storm. An attempt to reason with rising authoritarianism. It felt like the kind of moment we read about decades later, wondering how people missed the signs. Only this time, I was in the room.

And I kept thinking about the duality that defines my life now. I live in a space between worlds: American by passport, global by practice. I’m always translating—language, culture, intention, implication. And in moments like this, the weight of that responsibility feels especially heavy.

What Will My Travelers Feel? 

Soon, I’ll be guiding students and travelers through these same halls. They’ll sit in these seats. They’ll look down at the same chamber floor where I watched the debate unfold. And I wonder—will they feel it?

Will they understand the privilege of being here, in this moment in time? Will they grasp the power of seeing themselves reflected in the eyes of the world—not through headlines or echo chambers, but through dialogue, diplomacy, and consequence?

I don’t want them to come here just to check a box. I want them to listen. To question. To let their perspectives stretch, even uncomfortably. Maybe they’ll leave changed. Maybe they’ll begin to understand what it means to be both of a place and beyond it.

Carrying the Echo

This experience has stayed with me in a way I didn’t expect. It reminded me why I left. But it also reminded me of what I carry. I’m not running from something—I’m running toward something. Toward understanding, connection, responsibility. Toward the hope that we can still shape the future by showing up fully, even when the path feels uncertain.

I left the parliament building that day without any answers. But with a renewed sense of why I do this work. Why I write. Why I guide. Why I believe in the power of bearing witness—even when it’s uncomfortable, especially then.

Because the truth is, silence writes its own story. And I’d rather speak—even if my voice shakes.

Laïcité: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Surprised Me

Being in France has taught me many things—how to slow down, how to savor a moment, how to pronounce rillettes without embarrassing myself—but one of the deeper cultural lessons I’m still wrapping my head around is laïcité.

At first glance, laïcité might seem like France’s version of the American separation of church and state. And sure, in theory, they’re cousins. But in practice, they couldn’t be more different.

In the U.S., we often talk about “freedom of religion”—the right to practice any faith, or none at all. But religion still lives loudly in public life. It's printed on our money, echoed in campaign speeches, woven into our court proceedings. In many places, it’s not unusual for prayer to open a school board meeting or for politicians to wear their faith like a badge.

France, on the other hand, leans more toward what you might call freedom from religion—at least in public life. That doesn’t mean you can’t believe. Quite the opposite. In France, you're completely free to follow any religion you choose—or to follow none at all. What’s different is that no religion can be imposed on you, especially in spaces run by the state. Public life is meant to be completely neutral—a space where everyone can show up as just a citizen, without any religious marker taking center stage.

It’s not anti-religion. It’s anti-imposition.

That distinction runs deep. In French public schools, for example, students and teachers are not allowed to wear visible religious symbols. It’s not just Muslim students who can’t wear a hijab. Christian students can’t wear a big cross. Jewish students can’t wear a yarmulke. The goal—at least in theory—is to protect the shared civic space from religious pressure, influence, or division. The public sphere, in this sense, is treated as a common good that must remain unmarked by belief.

This applies beyond schools, too. In France, when public officials take office, there’s no swearing in on a Bible—or on any religious text. It’s a civil ceremony, a civic commitment, not a religious one. The same goes for courtrooms. Witnesses are asked to swear to tell the truth, but not on a holy book. There’s no “so help me God” at the end of the oath. The idea is that justice, like governance, must remain secular—accessible and fair for everyone, regardless of belief.

And yet, France remains a deeply cultural place—and that includes religion. Many of the national holidays are rooted in the Catholic calendar: Christmas, Easter Monday, Ascension, All Saints’ Day. They’re observed nationwide, regardless of whether you’re practicing Catholicism, another religion, or none at all. The irony isn’t lost on anyone: the country that guards its secularism so fiercely still gives you time off for saints' days.

But maybe that’s just France in a nutshell—contradictory, layered, complex. A place where tradition and modernity constantly collide and rearrange themselves.

It’s also one of the reasons I find it so fascinating to live here.

France is home to the largest populations of both Jews and Muslims in Europe. And while laïcité aims to keep religion out of the public sphere, that hasn’t erased the deep cultural presence of these communities. For someone like me, who’s curious about the way belief shapes identity, history, and daily life, it’s actually created a beautiful space to explore. I’ve found myself learning more about Jewish traditions, listening to Muslim calls to prayer in certain neighborhoods, and having conversations with people who practice quietly, privately, but with profound conviction.

And here’s a small but memorable example of the culture clash I’ve felt: in the U.S., or even when traveling abroad with Americans, people will often bow their heads and pray aloud before a meal—at home, at restaurants, anywhere—without really checking if everyone at the table is comfortable with that. It’s assumed. Expected, even. I’ve always felt a little uneasy in those moments, as if someone else’s belief system is being draped over the entire table. But the first time that happened here in France—when a group of visiting Americans bowed their heads and prayed out loud at a restaurant—I nearly died of discomfort. Not just for myself, but for the people around us. For the waiter, who paused awkwardly. For the French diners, who visibly tensed. In that moment, I understood viscerally how different the relationship between religion and public space is here. It’s not about suppressing belief. It’s about protecting a shared social space where no one belief dominates or assumes itself as the default.

Another thing I’ve noticed: there’s no culture of evangelism here. No one approaches you on the street to ask if you’ve found salvation. No one strikes up casual conversation with the intent of steering it toward their religion. That kind of thing would be considered wildly inappropriate in France. It’s not because people aren’t spiritual—but because belief is seen as deeply personal, and no one has the right to impose theirs on someone else.

Coming from the U.S., where these encounters are almost normalized—especially in certain regions or subcultures—it’s honestly a relief. There’s a quiet respect here for each person’s internal world. You’re not expected to defend it, explain it, or share it. You’re just allowed to have it. Or not. And that permission, that privacy, creates space for curiosity. For growth. For personal, meaningful exploration that isn’t entangled in performance or persuasion.

I’ll admit, it took me a while to understand this approach. As someone raised in a culture that often celebrates pluralism by displaying it—where interfaith dialogue is on public display, and religion in politics is almost expected—France’s quiet, almost stoic neutrality felt strange at first. But it comes from a deep-rooted history: centuries of religious wars, monarchy-church entanglement, revolution, and eventually, a collective decision that peace required a clean line between faith and the Republic.

Laïcité isn’t always easy to apply. And it hasn’t always been applied fairly. But its intention, at least in its purest form, is equality. One rule for everyone. The state doesn’t care what god you worship, or if you worship at all. But when you step into a government space, a classroom, or a courtroom, you leave religion at the door—not because it’s shameful, but because it’s personal.

There’s something oddly freeing about that. Because in a place where belief isn’t constantly debated or politicized, you get to explore it on your own terms. Quietly. Freely.

Of course, neither the French nor the American approach is perfect. They both come with challenges. But living between these two worlds has made me realize that freedom can look very different depending on where you stand. And maybe that’s okay.

Maybe the most important thing is that we each remain free to question, to believe, to doubt, and to grow—and that no one gets to decide that path for us.

This Is How I Come Back To Life

In Bloom: A Quiet Return to Myself 

There are seasons that pass outside of us and seasons that unfold within us. This spring, I find myself living in both.

After a long, heavy winter—one not just of weather, but of weight—I’ve started to feel something stir. Not all at once, and not with fanfare. But softly. Slowly. As if the quiet corners of my soul have begun to stretch again. And oddly enough, it wasn’t some grand epiphany that brought me here. It was a series of small, beautiful things—moments I might’ve missed if I hadn’t slowed down enough to notice them.

Back in Strasbourg, I’ve begun walking with no real agenda. No itinerary, no expectation. Just presence. And in that space, beauty found me.

I saw it in the blooming trees lining empty streets, their petals falling like soft confetti in the wind. In the tulips erupting in vivid color at the park, where the sound of children’s laughter mixed with the rhythm of fountains splashing. I found it in the silence of a stork’s nest high above the tree line—a moment I’ve waited years to witness, and one that arrived not with a spotlight, but with patience.

And maybe that’s the lesson. Maybe some things come only when we’re ready to receive them. Maybe this is how life teaches us to listen again.

These days, my camera has become more than just a tool for documentation. It’s a way of learning to see again—really see. Not for the sake of content or productivity, but for the quiet whisper of truth that lives in overlooked things. A shadow across a canal. A splash of golden light at dusk. The first wisteria buds pressing out into the world as if unsure whether it’s safe to bloom. I know that feeling. I’ve lived it.

There’s something beautifully defiant about spring. It doesn’t ask permission to grow. It simply does. Whether anyone’s watching or not.

I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to move like that—gently, with intention, grounded in the small overlooked moments of each day. I haven’t written much, because truthfully, I haven’t had much to say. Not in the big, public way I’ve grown used to. But I’ve started to understand that it’s okay to pause. To go quiet. To let yourself lie dormant for a while. There’s wisdom in waiting. There’s healing in hibernation. 

And when you’re ready, the world will wait for you to bloom again.

This return to Strasbourg feels different than those before. Less like a reset, more like a re-rooting. I feel myself growing toward the light, even if I’m not yet sure what shape that will take. There’s comfort in not knowing. In learning to trust the process, the seasons, the self.

I share these photos not to impress, but to remember. These are the small anchors of joy that pulled me gently back toward myself. They remind me that life doesn’t always ask for big moves. Sometimes, it just asks you to show up—to notice. To soften. To begin again, in the quietest way possible.

Spring doesn’t arrive all at once. Neither do we.

As a final note…

I know the world feels heavy for many right now. It can feel strange—even selfish—to notice beauty while so much is unraveling. But I’ve come to believe that finding peace in small, quiet things isn’t a betrayal of the world’s suffering—it’s a way to survive it. A way to remember what’s worth protecting. If you’re in a season of uncertainty, grief, or exhaustion, I hope you still find something—however small—that allows your own buds to bloom. Even in a storm, we’re allowed to lean toward the light.

The Sea Still Speaks: Lessons from the Shores of Normandy

Normandy: A Landscape of Memory and Defiance

As a travel professional, I’ve stood in many places shaped by history—but few have arrested my spirit the way Normandy did. Walking along the wind-brushed shores and staring up at the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc, I wasn’t simply a visitor; I was a witness. A witness to what humanity is capable of—both in destruction and in the unwavering pursuit of freedom.

Standing in the craters left by artillery, large enough to swallow me whole, I felt the weight of sacrifice in my bones. I wasn’t there to reenact or romanticize. I was there to listen—to the silence, to the wind, to the faint echo of a generation that ran headfirst into death because they believed in something larger than themselves. The idea of freedom. The idea of shared humanity. The idea that evil can and must be stopped, even when it costs everything.

But this trip was more than reflection. It was resistance.

A Moment at the Cliffs

When I arrived at the cliffs where those soldiers had once climbed, I didn’t expect it to hit me so hard. I had seen the photos. I had read the history. But standing there—wind whipping at my coat, the sound of crashing waves below—it was like the ghosts themselves had gathered to remind me what courage looks like. Real courage. Not the kind that posts slogans online or argues in the safety of hindsight, but the kind that climbs a cliff under relentless fire, knowing full well it may be your last act on earth.

I sat there for an hour. I watched the sky, listened to the sea, and imagined the battle unfolding—men climbing, one after another, some falling before they ever reached the top, and the man behind them still climbing. What drives a person to do that? To face that level of horror and keep going?

I’ve always considered myself a pacifist. I’ve always leaned toward peace. But that day, something shifted in me. I realized that their sacrifice wasn’t about glorifying war—it was about choosing to stand for something when the world was falling apart. I began to ask myself: Would I be willing to give everything to protect the vulnerable? Would I climb the cliff for someone else’s freedom?

And then the bigger questions came. Do I really believe in freedom—not just for myself, but for others? Am I willing to stand for it when it’s not easy, when the cost is high? Do I stand against oppression only when it's far away, or do I hold my ground when it moves into my own neighborhood? 

There’s no longer room for apathy. To choose silence is to surrender. And surrender doesn’t guarantee safety—it simply delays the moment when the fire reaches your doorstep. The cliffs of Normandy reminded me that the torch of courage must be carried forward—not just for the memory of the past, but for the promise of the future.

Normandy is a sacred space, and yet, the world it helped build is under siege—not by bombs, but by apathy. By division. By the steady unraveling of the very values those soldiers died defending. As I moved from one site to the next—from Omaha Beach to the American Cemetery to the lesser-known corners where memory still clings like sea mist—I couldn’t shake a single question:

What have we done with their sacrifice?

Scattered across the land, British, American, Canadian, and French cemeteries tell a quiet story of alliance—a reminder that they fought and fell together beneath the banner of freedom.  It was internationalism in its purest form. No borders, no flags more important than the mission. And now, watching the United States turn its back on those long-standing partnerships—on the very unity that brought the world back from the brink—feels like a betrayal carved into history. I found myself mourning not just the past, but the future we’re letting slip away.

This wasn’t my first time facing grief through travel. But it may have been the first time I truly understood how a place can become defiance. Normandy, for all its calm and quiet, roared with a message: Remember. Resist.

I carry that with me now. In a world unraveling at the seams, where ideology divides neighbors and power is bartered in fear, I find myself returning to those cliffs. To the footsteps of those who knew they might not make it, but went anyway. And I ask myself: Am I doing enough with the freedom they died for? Am I holding the line—not with a weapon, but with courage, compassion, and clarity?

In my line of work, I often speak about meaningful travel. Normandy is not a destination to simply be “seen.” It’s a place that sees you. It holds a mirror to your values, your comfort, and your courage. And in doing so, it reminds us that we are still writing history—not with grand battles, but with everyday choices.

This is not just a travel story. This is a call to memory, to humanity, to action. We cannot forget what happened here. We cannot be silent while the world forgets itself. Not while the tide still reaches the shore that once ran red with the price of our privilege. 

Return to Stillness: Finding My Voice in a Shifting World

J-0.. american consulates in Strasbourg are closing. The quiet but unmistakable shift in how the world views Americans is happening in real time. Countries that once welcomed us with open arms now hesitate, their gazes heavy with doubt, measured caution replacing what was once unspoken camaraderie. I feel the weight of this changing tide, and I wonder—what will my experience be like as an American abroad in this new world?

I have never carried the burden of American exceptionalism. Maybe that’s why the very idea of “home” in the U.S. has always felt suffocating, why the constant hum of nationalism never resonated with me. I have never been the kind of traveler who clings to my birthplace as a badge of honor. No journey has ever stirred in me the belief that America is the greatest country on Earth. In fact, I have spent years softening my accent, distilling it into something less recognizable, a quiet rebellion against the place that raised me.

But now, there is no escaping it. In this moment, I am an American abroad, and I know what that means. I will be asked to explain the inexplicable, to answer for choices I did not make and ideologies I do not share. I will be expected to give reason to the unreasonable, to stand in the shadow of a nation I do not claim. And yet, the hardest part is not the questions themselves—it is the knowing that I, too, have no answers.

I hope these next three months stretch themselves out like a lifeline, long and slow. I hope I can breathe again, that I can shed the weight of panic that clenches my chest, that I will rediscover the safety that life in the U.S. has long denied me. I hope I continue to make connections, to root myself in the people and places that remind me of who I am beneath the fear.

Most of all, I hope I find myself again—not in the shadows of the past, but in the quiet light of what’s still possible.

And I am reminded that while I have been weathering the storm, the magnolias in Strasbourg have been waiting for me. Silently, patiently, they have held their buds tight against the cold, their bloom postponed but inevitable. They do not rush the process. They do not fear the waiting.

For a year, I have dreamed of their arrival, marking them as a milestone, a quiet promise to myself that I would be here to witness them. But now, they mean something more. They are no longer just a sign of spring—they are a lesson in endurance, a whisper from nature that all beauty must die, but that rebirth is possible for those willing to sit in the in-between.

The petals will unfurl, fragile and fleeting, a momentary brilliance before they fall. And yet, I will not mourn their passing. I will stand beneath them, knowing that just as they have returned, so too can I. That the waiting, the stillness, the unseen growth—it was never emptiness. It was transformation.

*These photos were not taken by me. Photo credit to Olivier Hannauer*

A Traveler’s Dilemma: Sharing Beauty in a World on Fire

Reconciling Privilege: Writing My Way Through

When I began writing this blog, it was on the advice of my therapist. At the time, I was drowning in grief and struggling to find meaning. She encouraged me to focus on beauty, to document the moments of joy I encountered, no matter how fleeting, as a way to remind myself that life still had something to offer. What started as a lifeline has grown into something much larger—a way to connect not only with myself but with the world around me.

Yet lately, I’ve found myself questioning whether I should even share these stories. Does posting about sunsets and far-off places feel tone-deaf in a world so visibly hurting? Is sharing my joy unintentionally dismissing the struggles of others? These are questions I’ve wrestled with, not just in my writing but in how I navigate the privilege of my life.

My therapist reminded me of something crucial: writing doesn’t just document joy—it creates space for it, even in the darkest times. It’s not about ignoring the pain of the world but about finding and sharing the moments that make it bearable. These stories of beauty, kindness, and connection are not about bragging; they are acts of resistance against despair. They remind me—and maybe others—that there’s still light to be found.

And light, for me, has often come from the people I’ve connected with around the globe. Since returning to the U.S., I’ve been overwhelmed by the love and support I’ve received from friends abroad. They’ve sent messages of encouragement, shared ways to organize and act, and reminded me that we not alone in this struggle. Their words have felt like lifelines, bridging the gap between where I am and where I want to be. Knowing that people thousands of miles away care about what happens here has given me a sense of belonging I never expected.

These connections have also given me hope. Many of these friends have faced their own struggles, in systems and circumstances as broken as ours, and yet they’ve managed to rise above them with courage and resilience. Their stories remind me of why I started this blog in the first place—not just to document the beauty of travel but to share the humanity within it. To write is to resist—to resist the cynicism, the apathy, and the overwhelming sense of helplessness that threatens to consume us.

The Weight of Writing in Difficult Times

Lately, I’ve found it harder to write. I sit with my thoughts, searching for inspiration, but it feels like it’s hiding beneath the weight of everything happening around me. Even when I encounter something beautiful— a vivid sunset, a kind gesture, a moment of calm— I hesitate to share it. My heart is heavy with guilt, knowing I have the ability to escape while so many I care about are left to face struggles they never chose.

This guilt doesn’t come from a lack of gratitude. I know how fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to explore the world, to find moments of peace in places where I can simply breathe. But that knowledge doesn’t make it easier to reconcile the privilege of escape with the reality others endure daily. My words feel fragile in comparison to their battles, my photographs too fleeting to capture the depth of what so many are going through.

As I navigate this tension, I’ve been thinking about how my writing and photography may shift in the months ahead. I may begin documenting injustices I see and writing about the difficult truths that need to be heard. This isn’t to add darkness to my readers’ lives but to keep the truth known, to contribute in some small way to the collective call for justice and change. I may even start a separate blog for these stories, one that allows me to explore this side of myself more deeply. Still, I want to ensure that this new direction doesn’t drown out the light and inspiration my other writings strive to offer. Both are necessary—the truth and the beauty—and I feel called to honor them both.

Yet, in those rare moments when I do find the courage to write, I remind myself why I started. Beauty, after all, is not a denial of pain—it is a counterweight. Sharing it doesn’t erase the world’s struggles but reminds us that even in the darkest times, there are things worth holding onto. Writing has always been my way of navigating life’s complexities, and maybe now, it’s more important than ever. Resistance is not futile.

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.

2024: The Year I Found Myself Again

2024: A Year of Becoming

As I sit here at the edge of another year, I find myself suspended between reflection and anticipation. 2024 was not just a year—it was a journey, a reckoning, and an awakening.

I traversed France, London, Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Belgium, not just as a traveler but as someone searching for something deeper. These places were more than destinations; they were chapters in a story of self-discovery. In the Alps, I found solace in their towering presence, a reminder of how even the earth must fracture to create beauty. In Belgium, I rediscovered the power of human connection, sitting around tables with people who opened their homes and hearts to me. In France, I built a life that made me feel alive in ways I had forgotten were possible.

This was the year I let go of fears that weighed me down. Fears that told me I wasn’t enough, that my dreams were too bold, my voice too small. Trauma has a way of whispering lies that settle deep in your bones, but I learned to question it, to release it. And in doing so, I stepped into the person I’ve always been but was too afraid to show the world.

The connections I made this year are etched into my soul—moments shared over steaming cups of coffee, laughter echoing in unfamiliar kitchens, and quiet conversations that reminded me of the power of kindness. There were people who believed in me when I doubted myself, who stood by me when the ground felt shaky, and who reminded me that love is an anchor, not a cage.

It wasn’t an easy year. There were moments of deep loss, of unanswered questions that hung heavy in the air. But alongside the struggle, there were profound gains: the bravery to try new things, the resilience to push forward, and the grace to let myself stumble. The year taught me that life’s nuances—the pain, the joy, the uncertainty—are what make it so heartbreakingly beautiful.

I am endlessly grateful for those who shared in my journey: the friends who became family, the strangers who became friends, and the places that became sanctuaries. Your love, support, and belief in me breathed life back into my weary spirit. You reminded me that I belong—not just in this world but in my own skin.

2024 was the year I realized that life isn’t about finding all the answers but about embracing the questions, standing in the mystery, and moving forward anyway. It’s about gratitude for the sunsets I chased, the hands I held, and the moments that took my breath away. It’s about love—not just for others but for the person I’m becoming.

Traveling through life is much like traveling through landscapes. There are peaks and valleys, smooth paths and rocky trails. And as I sit here reflecting on this transformative year, one truth resonates above all: life is ephemeral, a gift to be cherished in the time we have.

On cherche des réponses réponses
Mais on pas les questions questions
Alors on fait qu’on fait ce qu’on peut du temps qu’on a
La vie est un cadeau qui est éphémère
Alors on fait des voeux sous les étoiles
On regarde là-haut pour que nos âmes s’élèvent
On fait qu’on fait c’qu’on peut du temps qu’on a
La vie est un cadeau qui est éphémère
Alors on fait ce qu’on peut, ce qu’on peut du temps qu’on a

In this fleeting life, I’ve learned to live with intention, to make wishes under the stars, and to trust that every step—no matter how uncertain—leads us closer to who we are meant to be.

Here’s to 2025—a new chapter, an unwritten page. May it be filled with more love, more growth, and more of the unexpected magic that makes this journey so worth it.

Home Is Where the Disconnect Is: Lessons After Returning from Strasbourg

The Noise of Returning 

Coming back felt like stepping into a storm I wasn’t prepared for. The world here is so loud—machines hum, conversations blare, and the news never stops. I walked into a grocery store, overwhelmed by shelves brimming with too much, and retreated to the vegetable aisle, hoping to find a quiet corner. Even driving feels foreign now—my hands grip the wheel tighter, my nerves fray. Nothing feels gentle. Nothing feels like home.

One adjustment has been particularly difficult: throwing everything into a single trash bin. In Strasbourg, sorting waste and composting were everyday acts that made sense, a way of living that honored the earth. Here, it feels like regression. Why aren’t we composting food scraps? Why does convenience trump care for the planet? It’s not just about the act of throwing things away—it’s the metaphorical weight of undoing habits that once aligned with my values.

The Ache of Isolation
The hardest part isn’t the noise or the pace; it’s the silence. In France, I was surrounded by connection—friends who checked in daily, strangers who became companions, and moments that made me feel part of something greater. Here, the silence is suffocating. Days pass without messages. Conversations are short and transactional. It’s not that people don’t care, but life here leaves little room for the kind of connection I now crave.

I try walking, hoping to find solace in the familiar, but the few sidewalks that exist lead me nowhere. I sit with my thoughts, but they press down heavily, filling the quiet with echoes of disconnection. How do you belong to a place that no longer fits the shape of who you’ve become?

Gratitude Amid the Noise 

And yet, even here, there are moments of calm that anchor me. Time with my grandmother has been a gift—her laughter, her stories, the way she reminds me of what matters most. I’ve watched the leaves change, their colors painting the days with beauty I can’t ignore. Gratitude whispers to me in these moments, reminding me that even in discomfort, there is something to hold onto.

But gratitude doesn’t erase the ache. It doesn’t quiet the questions that swirl in my mind late at night: How do I move forward here? How do I bridge the gap between who I was and who I’ve become?

The Weight of the World
Election season has cast a shadow over everything, a relentless cycle of impending doom that fills every screen, every conversation. I left the U.S. to escape the storm, but it followed me. Election night left me wearing a heart monitor, the stress carving its way into my body. Now, being back, the air feels heavier. It’s not just the politics—it’s the unspoken weight of knowing I don’t belong. Here, I have to temper myself, hiding parts of who I am to navigate a world that feels increasingly hostile. It’s a kind of exile, even in the place I once called home.

Questions Without Answers
Strasbourg gave me a mantra: live every moment. Here, I count the hours until it’s late enough to sleep, just to wake up one day closer to leaving. I know I’ll return to the life that feels right for me, but for now, I’m here, learning to navigate the in-between.

Have you ever felt this dissonance—the ache of returning to a life that no longer fits? How did you find peace in the in-between? I don’t have the answers yet, but perhaps the questions themselves are enough. For now, I’m holding onto the threads of gratitude, trying to weave them into something that feels like home.

Moving Forward 

This weekend, I pulled myself out of the haze, checking tasks off my list, planning ways to explore the city with new eyes. There’s still beauty here, I remind myself, even if it feels harder to find. I’m trying to live with intention again, to reconnect with the lessons I learned abroad.

The journey back has been anything but easy, but it’s a reminder that growth doesn’t end with distance. Sometimes, it’s in the dissonance, in the struggle to reconcile who you were with who you’ve become, that you find the deepest truths.

A Farewell to Strasbourg: Reflections on a Season of Transformation

The streets of Strasbourg feel different now. As the calendar inches toward my departure, I walk with a kind of reverence, savoring each cobblestone underfoot. The rhythm of the city has imprinted itself on me, becoming a pulse I’ve unconsciously matched over the months. Leaving—even temporarily—feels like loosening the grip on something sacred, something that has quietly shaped me in ways I didn’t know I needed.

This city became my sanctuary. Its riverbanks and cathedral spires were more than just scenery—they were witnesses to my journey. Strasbourg caught me at a time when I was unraveling, and instead of demanding anything from me, it gave me space to rebuild. It let me wander its streets with my thoughts, lose myself in its corners, and find myself in its stillness.

The Spirit of Connection

Strasbourg has a way of bringing people together. It’s in the small moments—the nod from a baker handing you a freshly baked baguette, the smile of a stranger as you pass on the bridge, the casual conversations that lead to something deeper.

This city taught me the value of connection, not through grand gestures but through the quiet consistency of community. My friends here became family, offering support and care that carried me through difficult days. They showed me what it feels like to belong—not through obligation, but through shared time and mutual respect. It’s these bonds, formed in a city that so easily opens its arms, that I will carry with me long after I leave.

A Space for Growth

Strasbourg also offered me solitude, a rare and precious thing. Here, I learned to sit with myself, to examine the parts of me that I’d been too afraid to face. Its quiet mornings gave me clarity, its winding alleys held my secrets, and its golden sunsets reminded me to find beauty even in endings. The city became a mirror, reflecting back not just who I was, but who I could become.

One of my favorite routines was sitting along the river with a book, watching the city come alive in the soft glow of the setting sun. Those moments weren’t just peaceful—they were transformative. They reminded me that healing doesn’t always come in breakthroughs. Sometimes, it’s in the steady rhythm of days, in the comfort of familiarity, and in the courage to keep showing up for yourself.

Gratitude for the Ordinary

As I reflect on my time here, it’s the ordinary moments that stand out. Walking through the Orangerie Park on crisp autumn mornings, sharing meals with friends over laughter and wine, or listening to the echo of the cathedral bells as they called the city to attention. These are the moments that stitched together my time in Strasbourg, creating a tapestry of memories that feel both fleeting and eternal.

I will never forget how this city allowed me to pause and just be. For a traveler who’s always searching for the next adventure, Strasbourg was the one place where I felt at peace staying still. It became more than a destination—it became a home.

Moving Forward

Tomorrow, I’ll say goodbye to Strasbourg, at least for a while. The thought fills me with a bittersweet ache. I know I’ll return, but this chapter, with its quiet beauty and profound lessons, will never come again. Yet, as I prepare to leave, I carry something intangible but powerful: the understanding that even in letting go, there’s growth. Even in leaving, there’s gratitude.

This city has given me a gift that no suitcase can hold—a deeper understanding of myself and the world. Strasbourg will always be here, but the person I’ve become because of it will go forward, seeking the same kind of connection, growth, and peace it so freely gave me. For that, I am forever thankful.