Do You Feel It in the Air? It Feels Like Summer …
I didn’t take a lot of pictures this trip — shocking, I know, if you know me — but I wanted to live in the moment. Every photo here has a story: riding the train to Paris (seriously, I need to learn a little French), finally seeing the Eiffel Tower in all its beauty, having a decent meal in Brussels after struggling at first, exploring the city, and meeting my colleagues and peers I still keep in touch with.
“You can feel it in the streets, on a day like this, the heat… it feels like summer.” Childish Gambino said it best. And honestly, he’s right — you can feel summer before you even step outside. It’s in the air, it’s in the streets, and it’s in that sense that life’s moving with a little more possibility. And yes, that song has been on repeat for me all season.
After two years of not leaving the country, I finally dusted off my passport for a trip to Brussels and Paris. Now, it wasn’t my first time in Europe, but this trip hit different — maybe because I went solo. And let me tell you, solo travel is not bad at all. I walked when I wanted to walk, rested when I wanted to rest, and yes, took myself out to dinner like the main character I am. I even had random strangers stop me like, “Girl, let me get a picture of you in front of this view.” And you know I didn’t say no.
Brussels wasn’t just for fun, though. I spent part of my time learning how public affairs works in the European Union, which was so eye-opening. Imagine trying to create policies for multiple countries, languages, and cultures all at once… whew. Meeting people from across Europe and hearing their perspectives made me realize how connected (and complicated) the world really is.
Paris was all about soaking it in — practicing my bonjour and merci, finding little cafés I could sit in for hours, and discovering foods I actually liked (and no, escargot was not one of them. My Southern taste buds said, “Girl, this is not it.”).
One of my favorite things about traveling abroad is how it humbles you. You realize the world is bigger than your bubble. You meet people who live completely different lives from yours. You hear what they really think about Americans (let’s just say… it’s entertaining). And you come home with little lessons you didn’t even know you needed — a recipe, a phrase in another language, or just a new way of looking at life.
In between my passport stamps, I made time for a family reunion filled with hugs, laughter, and plates so full you had to take a break mid-meal. Work travel kept me moving too. Honestly, it’s been a busy summer, but it’s also been a season of finding new things, asking for what I want, and remembering one of my favorite truths: closed mouths don’t get fed.
So yes, I feel it in the air — joy, growth, and the reminder that every summer is a chance to stretch a little further and live a little louder. And I plan to carry that feeling with me long after the season ends.
