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@trystansmonde

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the world from my point of view☺️

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After a single night spent in Portugal, I returned to the airport for my next flight, where I met a woman while in line at security. Sparking up a conversation after I noticed her dark blue United States passport, she mentioned how she had an extra lounge pass and had been trying to get someone to join her! “I’ve asked so many people if they want to come to the lounge with me, and they all look at me like I’m crazy.” “What time does your flight leave?” she asked, as she politely demanded I accompany her. Of course, I joined! Free food and drinks? & I hope you would’ve too.

After a short hour spent talking and clinking our glasses together, it was time for my new friend and me to go our separate ways. She left for her departing flight while I had the privilege of spending an additional three hours alone in one of the most incredible, intricate lounges I’ve ever stepped foot in.

I spent my time gobbling down 6 giant croissants, drinking more glasses of rosé than I should have, watching airplanes take off out of the floor-to-ceiling window, and thinking to myself, “what a fantastic way to start my first-ever international solo trip.” I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to pull out my journal and free-write. As you’ll see, I didn’t get very far, but some tell me it’s one of the most influential pieces they’ve ever read. ;)

Disclaimer: This was two years before I found out I had diabetes, so if you are my endocrinologist reading this, don’t you worry, I still had a working pancreas at this point. taken in Lisbon, Portugal by @trystansmonde

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2 years ago

In proper Jeux Olympique fashion, I thought I would share my summer 2024 “gold, silver, and bronze medal moments.”

Gold: Attending the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris (deets in a later post). I giggle thinking about this because I recently stumbled upon a bucket list I created in middle school. While reading through what I had written, “attend the Olympics” wasn’t listed, but “win gold at the Olympics” was. lol dream big I guess.

Silver: Unexpected new friendships! Fallen trees, juice boxes, public voice texting, & an empty middle seat led me to the 6 people I needed to meet in this lifetime. These people brought excitement, serenity, clarity, and pure joy into my life, all leaving their impact on me, which I will cherish forever.

Bronze: My 22nd birthday! A wild start to my 20s in which I can only assume much more craziness to come. I was able to have most of my friends in the same city, so we spent it sipping marvelous wines and munching on delicious charcuterie. Cheers to 22 years of learning and being me! by @trystansmonde

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2 years ago

Okay, back on my BS. This time in Nice, France. I will never not pay €40 for a private beach* 1. They’re way more comfy than lying on hard rocks & 2. It’s like a barrier from the weird men that wanna chat, cuz I don’t!

Unfortunately, on this day, I chose no barrier, so I could be found lying bare-ass up on hard rocks. What started as a friendly “can you watch my stuff while I go dip in la mer?” quickly turned sour & I couldn’t even act like I didn’t understand his French because he spoke English too. Super!

After multiple declined attempts to buy me a “drink”, he took it upon himself to do so anyways. Once he left, I knew I had 2 minutes before he came back to get help** Filippa, my lifesaving angel, was sitting directly behind us. I kept trying to make eye contact with her, but it never happened.

He eventually returned with none other than … a juice box??? Exquisite. My reaction to being gifted this beverage sparked the attention of Filippa, to which she motioned, “👆🏼👍🏼” I gave her the universal girl code “no-help-me” eyes. Immediately she got up and moved her towel next to mine, promptly telling Mr. Juice-box Man “Hey, I’m lying here now, the sun is better in this spot, you gotta go, like, over there👉🏼”

After endless thank you’s and frequent eye rolls about how clueless men are, we ended up talking for the next couple of hours, and duh, hung out again later that night, this time with her friend who she was visiting here with from Denmark! I could go on, but I like to keep my stories somewhat short on this account;)
Thank you, Filippa🤍

*first pic is next day at private beach;)

**I use this term loosely as I had no issue getting up and leaving the beach, although that is such an inconvenience to me, and I refuse to let a man dictate what I do with my day💅🏼 by @trystansmonde

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2 years ago

A have a note titled “remember…” with quotes of things people; strangers&friends, have said to me over the past year. I encourage you to create your own “remember…” note too. We all need a loving reminder every once in a while🤍

here are 10 of my favorites, accompanied by pictures I believe radiate love <3

* “You’re the coolest most badass, loving soul I’ve met in a long time”
* “I’m glad to have met you. I so truly admired your presence from day one. I see such greatness in you”
* “You’ve rejuvenated me more than this sauna ever could”
* “Please please please keep it strong. You show me how to be brave and confident”
* “There’s a light in you that I see burning bright for so many more years to come”
* “just be happy”
* “I wish I was more like you when I was your age. Keep doing you because you’ve got years of wisdom and knowledge beyond belief tucked inside you”
* “When everything seems to be going against you. Remember that the airplane takes off against the wind not with it”
* “Remember who you are because it’s deserving of a life that’s full of stories to tell”
* “Thank you for being who you are” by @trystansmonde

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3 years ago

TTI🪄🖤The time I … rode a camel at the Giza Pyramids for free because the hotel lost* my t-shirt

As we know, I struggled immensely when I arrived in Egypt due to my lack of planning. Thankfully, I was able to find a hotel with availability.

That "availability" came with a rancid stench, no view, & an extremely small interior. Disclaimer: I didn’t expect a 5-star hotel, but this was not a livable environment.

I told Mango (Australian travel mum) and she spoke with Boody (the 19-year-old running the hotel) about switching rooms. Amid repacking my luggage to move rooms, I accidentally left behind the t-shirt I had arrived to the hotel in.

t-shirt backstory: fav t-shirt ever, & I bought it in Paris when I lived there, so it’s a bit sentimental🥲

When I realized my t-shirt was missing, I asked Boody to grab it from my original room. Instead, he informed me the t-shirt was “cut up and thrown away” by housekeeping (a group of teenagers).

Thinking he was messing around, I laughed and told him I wanted my shirt back by the time I arrived back at the hotel the next day.

My shirt was never seen again.

My last night in Egypt, I was sitting on the rooftop when Boody came up & told me he could tell I was really upset about my shirt. #True. He proceeded with, “tell me what you want in exchange. You want the moon; I’ll bring you the moon” … say less

The next day would be my last in Egypt, & I still hadn’t been to the pyramids nor had I rode a camel—2 things I vowed to accomplish within my 3 days there.

The next morning, I woke up early & headed to the pyramids, spending my last 3 hours touring the pyramids of Giza on camelback at no monetary cost 😜 I’d go into more detail, but I was sworn to secrecy by Boody. Perhaps some unlawful activity took place “I guess we’ll neva know”

*stole
Thanks for reading my TTI 🪄 taken in Giza Pyramids Egypt by @trystansmonde

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3 years ago

Wrote that little journal entry waiting to board my flight. Eventually landed, and the FIRST texts to show up were from Eyolf, (Norway boyfriend)* who I hadn’t texted prior

I pulled out my notebook to reread what I had written 3 hours prior. Genuinely started to cry.

I truly don’t know how to explain what I felt in that moment but to have my inner worries specifically mentioned and debunked by another human unaware was astounding.

Immediately I texted Bianca, an angel sent from above, and her response just topped the cake. Everything I needed to hear, she reaffirmed.

Constantly staying positive when, sometimes, the world literally feels like it’s coming to an end can be so difficult, but it’s moments like these that really help diminish any negativity we might be experiencing. God works in wonderfully mysterious ways.

*this is what my friends and I call him because his name is too Norwegian for them to say every time lol by @trystansmonde

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3 years ago

The plan was to have a quick little “getaway”, the plan was not to travel for a month, and book each flight the night before, the day of, or even on the way to the airport. Yet that is, in fact, what occurred.

Lilly once texted, “You make me so nervous,” and to that I replied... well, I actually didn’t reply because my phone was dead and I was stranded in the middle of Cairo, Egypt, with no clue where to go. At least I had my visa;)

The following posts will encompass the ups & downs (literally just me being brainless) as I reflect on this past month's travels, the people I met along the way, and things I’ve been gracefully reminded of

Also! The mystery surrounding what nasty little insect bit my cheek, why I overheated in 60 degree Norway weather, & how my eyeball got so swollen yay🤩 by @trystansmonde

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3 years ago

Letters from strangers & one from me

I’m feeling underwhelmed with life at the moment. I have utterly no idea what I am doing, but I guess it’s the not knowing that makes it interesting. I like that about myself. I never know what my brain wants. Flight to Europe? Sleep till 3pm? Drink 3 gallons of matcha? Idk. Some might call it spontaneous, I call it oblivion. HA

It’s okay if life scares you right now. It’s okay if you have no idea what you’re doing. You are allowed to feel this way. Your feelings hold value, and you don’t have to pretend like you know what’s happening. It’s alright if none of it makes sense right now. Just relax, we were never in control anyways. Everything will be okay. taken in New York, New York by @trystansmonde

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4 years ago

Today I am immensely grateful for, and desperately missing: Norway

My first solo trip after finding out I have type1diabetes! Blah. I was so nervous, I remember telling everyone how badly I wanted to back out. Thank goodness I have supportive friends who continuously push me to explore new places.

Immediately, I fell IN LOVE with Norway. There are not enough words in my vocabulary to explain the way I feel about this country. IT IS PERFECT. Life was simple here: crisp air, kind people, and skies- shades of blue I had never seen before.

When we leave a place, we leave a part of ourselves behind. There are things in us that we can only find by returning again. Leaving Oslo was one of my saddest goodbyes, and I cannot wait to return. *so soon* taken in Oslo Norway by @trystansmonde

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4 years ago

Why are “first posts” so difficult??

In 2017, I left America for the first time ever, I spent a month in China as an exchange student. The most eye opening, (and hottest) month of my life. Turning 15 a month prior, my little brain was only able to understand and appreciate so much throughout that trip. Being thrown into a completely different culture within 72 hours of leaving U.S. soil was mind blowing. Something I still can’t fully comprehend.

The thrill of it all, traveling, that is, is addictive. New people, scenery, languages, foods, and cultures. All things we are barricaded from when we are so deeply-rooted into the norms of our hometown lives.

I created this account with no intentions. Maybe I’ll figure it out soon, or maybe not. I’m not even sure what I’m doing with my life, so for me to know what a silly instagram account’s purpose is would be bizarre😊 taken in Great Wall Of China, Beijing, China by @trystansmonde

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4 years ago