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    Round Trip Roundup: JUNE

    June 30, 2017

    Oh là là!  A summer in France?  C’est la vie!  I’ve made some wonderful memories across the Pond, but I’ve learned so much more.  And it hasn’t always been pretty.  That being said, here’s my top 5 for the month:

    1. My new lock screen

    It may just be me, but there’s something about a new lock screen that signifies a life change albeit small.  I like to put encouraging reminders there, so every time I check the time or get on my phone (that’s a lot of times!), I can give myself a boost even if it’s a quick thought.  This month has been overwhelming, but this sweet reminder spurs me on in all the culture shock and language woes.  I fell in love with this wallpaper from In Everything while scrolling through Pinterest.  IAMSTRONGiphonelockscreen

    2. Day trip to Montpellier

    It was just to a city in the south of France on the coast… Just Europe things!  The city was beautiful (post to come!), and it was nice to visit an old friend.  But missing my train was not nice.  (I’d 10/10 recommend not missing your train!)  But more on that another day…Peyrou Montpellier France Round Trip Travel

    3. My new favorite drink

    While France is known for its wine, orange San Pellegrino is my go-to drink here in France.  Many Americans find it weird that Europe loves carbonated water, and I’m in this group.  And while I still don’t drink carbonated water straight up, I can’t stop buying orange San Pellegrino.  Am I European yet?!Processed with VSCO with a5 preset

    4. Growth is messy

    If I had a dime for every time I said that I wanted to go home, my plane ticket would already be paid for in full.  And this sentiment inspired my post on why living abroad isn’t perfect.  But thankfully, those thoughts diminish day by day.  I’m finding my routine, my people and my place here.  I’m confident that I’ll return to America a new and stronger woman.  Growth isn’t always fun, but I’m beginning to understand other cultures on a much deeper level.  And that’s something money can never buy.  Here’s to a month and a half more of Europe and growth!Processed with VSCO with a5 preset

    5. Rio Loco Music Festival

    Here’s the deal about Europe: they listen to music in languages they don’t understand.  Here’s the deal about America: they don’t.  Rio Loco is a weekend-long music festival featuring international music, and I thought, pourquoi pas?  Why not?!  This year’s area of interest was the islands of the Indian Ocean.  And I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.  Did I understand the words in Creole?  Non, pas du tout.  Was it overwhelming?  Oui, bien sûr.  And although I didn’t stay long, I’m glad I engaged in another culture even though it wasn’t my style and I didn’t understand much.  Comfort zone, where you at?!

    Rio Loco Musique Festival Toulouse France

    It’s crazy to think it’s been a month and a half in France.  Living abroad may not perfect, but it has its perks including scrumptious café au lait and breathtaking architecture.  But at the end of the day, I’m gaining experiences and growing in ways I never could in America.  (And if you think of it, mail me some A/C please and thank you!!)

     

    Bises,

    Kristin

    {What new experience did you have this month?}

     

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    Comments

    1. Veronica Lavil says

      June 30, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Living in France is worth it but it is going to be bumpy! The downs are definitely worth it. Good luck girl!

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        June 30, 2017 at 10:25 am

        Thanks, Veronica!! I’ve seen so much improvement, and I’m beginning to realize that I’m going to miss it <3 Happy traveling!

        Reply
    2. myhearinglossstory says

      July 1, 2017 at 5:10 am

      Hello Kristin. I’m glad you’re making the most of your adventure!
      You are right. You will be learning so much about a different culture, and yourself. I’m sure when you return home you will feel so much more wise and traveling can open your eyes to the world and you can start seeing everyday life very differently.
      Take care and continue to enjoy!
      – Carly

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        July 1, 2017 at 7:45 am

        Hi Carly! Yes, it’s been quite the adventure, and I’m so realizing that I’m going to miss the community I’ve built here and of course the macaroons + café au lait !! I so appreciate your encouragement, and hope you’re having some of your own adventures this summer 🙂

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 7 Things to Do in Montpellier, France – Round Trip says:
      July 26, 2017 at 11:02 am

      […] Because what’s vacation without shopping?!  I’ve been to malls before, but shopping in a foreign language and culture is a completely different experience.  Wendy and I stopped at Moa to get some shades for the beach, and the Monoprix provided me with some orange San Pellegrino for the beach (which made it onto my top 5 list for June). […]

      Reply
    2. 30+ Things to Do in Toulouse, France – round trip says:
      September 13, 2017 at 10:47 am

      […] events: Rio Loco, an international music festival highlighting different parts of the world each year; La Nuit des […]

      Reply
    3. 38 Things to Do in Toulouse, France - round trip says:
      March 2, 2021 at 6:43 am

      […] events: Rio Loco, an international music festival highlighting different parts of the world each year; La Nuit des […]

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator living and working in southern France. You can find me planning my next weekend trip, sharing my best expat trips and sipping iced coffee.
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    Hey there, I'm Kristin, a Missouri girl living and working in southern France. I love planning weekend trips, sharing my best expat tips and sipping iced coffee.

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