Leni on the road
Stories, notes and musings from here, there, somewhere, everywhere and nowhere.
Tucked away in the 8th arrondissement, the Chapelle Expiatoire sits quietly at 29 Rue Pasquier, inside the Louis XVI Square. Constructed by Louis XVIII, on the site where King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were initially buried after their gruesome executions during the French Revolution, the chapel serves as a reminder of the tumultuous events that unfolded in the late 18th century.
Everybody knows living abroad is filled with challenges and discoveries. It's not always easy, especially forming deep connections in a new place, but I've come to appreciate the little moments and the friendships that grow over time. So, let me tell you about the first half of 2024.
For a long time, I was no exception to this universal tendency. When asked, "Who are you?" my instinctual response would mirror the tasks and responsibilities that consumed my daily life. But as the poet Rumi once wisely penned, "Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth." It was time for me to untangle my identity from the constraints of societal expectations.
Moving to a new country, speaking a second language, working in a different cultural environment? It’s a complex but enriching journey, full of opportunities for self-discovery and growth.
