Europe 2023

paris, france

The first proper trip was Bristol, Paris, and Rome in 2023. I had passed through airports before, but this was the first time I was moving between cities in a part of the world that did not feel familiar yet, figuring out trains, hostels, and menus as I went. It was a bit chaotic, but in a good way.

Paris is everyone's first big European city for a reason. I climbed the Arc de Triomphe at sunset and watched the avenues stretch out in every direction while the city turned gold around the edges. It was crowded and obvious and still completely worth it.

arno river, pisa

Bristol was quieter, which made it easier to enjoy. The Clifton Suspension Bridge sits over the gorge with a calmness that is hard to explain until you are there, and I went back twice just to look at it again. Rome was heat, ruins, long walks, and good food. I made the side trip to Pisa, took the obvious photo, and had no regrets about it.