Written Luv Letters

A summer spent drifting south — from concert halls in London to turquoise bays in Sardinia, stormy seas in Portofino, safari roads in Kruger and rugby pubs in Johannesburg. Somewhere between yachts, rainy mountains, girl-math bathroom queues and far too many flights, I found myself falling a little more in love with the souths of the world — and especially with one country I seem to keep finding my way back to.

A final luv letter to Monaco, the place that gave me ten months of chaos, glamour, friendships, presentations, Spritzes, karaoke, Grand Prix madness, and more memories than I could have imagined. It was never fully my forever place, but it became exactly where I needed to be this year.

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!