Written Luv Letters

Six days, two cities, and more chaos than any study trip should legally allow. From empty squares in Venice to rooftop Spritz moments in Milan, this week somehow balanced company visits with gondolas, fashion, and a touch of unexpected magic. It wasn’t just a trip, it was a blur of laughter, little adventures, and moments that felt almost too unreal to be true.

There’s a specific feeling when the Phinda airstrip comes into view, and you think, I’m back. This trip wasn’t just about lion cub chaos a few meters away, glittering leopard light, or elephants reaching into the trees. It was about returning to the wild, to clarity, and to a place that feels more like home each time I leave it.

Two months, countless sunsets, and more trips to Ikea than I’d like to admit; that’s how my Monégasque Indian Summer began. Between lemon-scented days in Menton, psychic proposals in Èze, and sober nights at Jimmy’z, I somehow found myself calling the French Riviera home.

Three days, three castles, and one barking dog later, we finally made it back to our yellow house on the Côte d’Azur. This summer was less about luxury and more about laughter, routines, and feeling at home; barefoot puddle walks in St. Tropez, tacos gone wild, fireworks over Cannes, and a glimpse of my future life in France.

This is a letter to Lyon as an exchange student. Many fun and weird stories about school and trips that we took!