As I sat in my sociology class, I couldn't resist checking my iMessage for updates from my hometown friends instead of sticking to WhatsApp. Just then, a ping from Lulu and Toni announced their arrival in Nice, instantly bringing back memories of who I've grown into—a mix of excitement and weariness, yet eagerly anticipating the adventures ahead. On my way home, Maya joined me, and as we entered our favorite hangout spot (my house), we uncorked a bottle of wine to unwind. Pouring us each a glass, I regaled Maya with stories of my friends from my home university, painting a picture of their personalities and quirks. Suddenly, my phone rang again—my friends had arrived downstairs, and I dashed to help them with their luggage.

Welcoming them in, I poured everyone a glass of wine, savoring their lively travel tales. We sat with Maya, chatting and catching up for a while. Eventually, we decided to explore the bar strip along the beach, where we met up with Dan, Marius, and Dareen for refreshing Aperol spritzes. The hours flew by as we delved into conversations about Philadelphia from our vantage point in France. I found joy in being an observer of gossip from home without being at the center of it all—a delightful evening filled with laughter, reminiscences, and the excitement of shared experiences.

After enjoying a few drinks, we strolled along the beach before heading back home. Maya had plans to hit the club that night, but upon reaching her place, exhaustion took over, and she drifted into a deep sleep for the entire night. Meanwhile, Toni and Lulu, feeling the effects of jet lag, opted to stay in. We indulged in light conversation, took refreshing showers, and settled into a relaxed evening.

Later, we decided to try out a new dinner spot with Marius, Dan, and Dareen. As we delved into more wine and placed our food orders, I couldn't help but chuckle at the name of the Napolean pizza on the menu. However, my laughter quickly faded when I took a bite—it was surprisingly terrible, overly salty, and had an unpleasant fishy taste.

Curious about Lulu’s whereabouts, I popped into the restaurant to check on Lulu, only to discover her engaged in what she thought were complimentary shots with the chefs. To our dismay, she was being charged for each one, and her playful banter was misconstrued as flirtation, leading to an unexpected bill. Despite our attempts to reason with the staff, Lulu had to settle the tab. I ended up taking the remnants of my unappetizing pizza home, while our small town bore witness to this comically chaotic series of events.

The next morning greeted me with the sight of my friends peacefully asleep. Anticipating their regret at sleeping through the day, I gently roused them to see if they still wanted to explore the Friday market in Ventimiglia. Their interest sparked, we all prepared for a day of adventure. Boarding the train, we immersed ourselves in the lively market atmosphere, with Lulu and Toni hunting for souvenirs while I reveled in the joy of discovery, feeling as if I were simultaneously in my hometown and in a new, exotic place.

Our paths crossed with other exchange students on the lawn, where we gathered and eventually made our way to an Italian beach. The day unfolded in a blissful haze of drinks, swimming, and heartfelt conversations. Witnessing my diverse group of friends from different parts of my life bonding seamlessly brought me immense happiness. Lulu and I even started a collection of sea glass that day, a newfound hobby that continued to enchant me as I gathered souvenirs from each place I visited.

As the sun began its descent, we headed to dinner, opting for Italian cuisine that proved to be a vast improvement from the previous day's culinary misadventure. The night stretched before us, brimming with promise and the contentment of shared experiences, reminding me of the beauty of friendship and the joys of exploration.

Later, as we boarded the train back, an unexpected delay halted our journey just before reaching our stop. It was then that I learned a troubling truth—that every night at this border between France and Italy, the police would board the train and demand passports from anyone of color. Those unable to produce their documents faced the harsh consequence of being forcibly removed from the train. This discriminatory practice stemmed from the migration route, where individuals from Africa entered Italy and then traversed through France.

In the midst of this unsettling situation, I engaged in profound discussions with my international friends about their encounters with racism. We delved into the commonalities among our cultures, recognizing that despite apparent differences, we shared similar struggles and experiences. It struck me that while countries like Australia and Canada often seem to be portrayed as more tolerant and welcoming compared to the United States, they too grapple with deep-seated racism and social issues that often go unaddressed due to the overshadowing presence of the U.S. in global discourse.

The following day, we eagerly boarded the train bound for Cap d'Ail. Our time there was pure bliss, as we lounged on the rocks, lost ourselves in books, frolicked in the water, and I rediscovered my inner mermaid. Jumping off the rocks into the refreshing sea became a highlight of our sun-soaked day.	After a relaxing nap upon returning home, the night beckoned us to venture into Nice for a thrilling clubbing escapade. With girl pop tunes blaring in the background, we transformed ourselves with stylish outfits and carefully applied makeup, gearing up for an unforgettable evening. By 11 PM, we set out on foot to catch the final train, marking the beginning of our nocturnal adventure.

En route, we unexpectedly encountered Dareen, Dan, and their friends on the train, who were initially planning a night of jazz bar hopping. Spontaneously, we decided to merge our plans and head together to the High Club. Navigating the familiar streets of Nice, memories of past outings with friends flooded my mind, adding to the excitement of the night ahead. Despite a few pit stops, we eventually arrived at the club, ready to dive into a night of revelry.

Inside the High Club, the atmosphere was electric, punctuated by the peculiar presence of a cigarette room. I found myself effortlessly making new acquaintances, immersed in the vibrant energy of the venue. However, amidst the pulsating beats and lively conversations, tensions simmered among our group, leading to a heated argument and subsequent separation.

The night took an unexpected turn as chaos ensued, with misunderstandings and heightened emotions fueling the turmoil. Nevertheless, amidst the challenges, our friendship emerged stronger, fortified by overcoming the adversities together. I couldn't help but notice the aggressive behavior of some French men and bouncers, who were overly intrusive and physical, causing discomfort and distress.

As the night wound down, our group found ourselves in a random Uber alongside two girls from my school. Lulu's choice of the Wonderwall remix on repeat filled the air, contrasting with the tense atmosphere inside the vehicle. While Lulu stared ahead with determination, I found myself and Toni drifting into moments of dissociation, occasionally bopping my head to the music, while the two random girls indulged in a spirited rendition of the song, encapsulating the hilariously chaotic journey home.

The next day greeted us with relentless rain, threatening to dampen our plans for the week. In a region known for its sunny skies along the Mediterranean, this unexpected downpour seemed almost surreal. Undeterred, we resolved to turn the rainy day into an opportunity for a cozy indoor activity.

After researching options, we dismissed the idea of visiting museums, feeling that my friends’ trip to the South of France was about more than traditional tourist attractions. Instead, we reached out to Dareen, who graciously dropped off art supplies, inspiring us to spend the day painting with the gentle pitter-patter of rain as our soundtrack. Lulu and I captured the view outside our window on canvas, while Toni lost herself in the pages of a captivating book. We indulged in movies, enjoying the luxury of a leisurely day to combat lingering jet lag.

As the day waned and the sun began its descent, our thoughts turned to dinner. We embarked on a culinary adventure, venturing out to try Chinese cuisine that had piqued our curiosity. Bringing back our delicious finds, we settled in to watch "How to Get Away with Murder," relishing the warmth and comfort of good food and great company.

The night wasn't over yet, as we treated ourselves to a memorable dinner at Il Capriccio, savoring delectable pasta dishes while admiring the sight of someone enjoying Quatre Fromages, the French rendition of mac and cheese. Despite the rain's attempt to disrupt our plans, it turned out to be a much-needed day of relaxation and bonding, culminating in satisfying meals and shared laughter, making it a perfect, rejuvenating night.

The following day, our plan was to head to Nice by train. We managed to catch the train, but there was a hiccup with Toni and Lulu forgetting to purchase their tickets in time. This mishap turned into a nerve-wracking experience when the conductor asked for our tickets for the first time ever. I confidently showed my train pass and shared it with my friends, who presented a screenshot of the same pass. However, the conductor insisted on seeing a different email as proof, and my friends feigned connectivity issues with their Wi-Fi.

I knew that traveling without a ticket could result in hefty fines, so I felt a sense of relief knowing my pass was valid. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for my friends. Sensing trouble, we decided to disembark at Monaco, hoping to avoid further scrutiny. To our dismay, the conductor followed us and engaged the Monaco train workers in a heated exchange that lasted about 20 minutes. The workers' condescending tone and the snooty atmosphere of Monaco made it one of my most unpleasant French encounters, surpassing even my future experiences in Paris.

Despite my friend's efforts to diffuse the situation and my growing frustration with the conversation, I inadvertently admitted that they were using my identity when questioned by one of the workers. This admission led to me being singled out as the problem, and instead of just my friends paying fines, I had to pay as well. Each of us ended up shelling out fifty euros, leaving us stranded in Monaco with no desire to risk taking the train again.

What added to the irony of the situation was that after that incident, my friends made sure to buy their tickets every time we traveled by train, yet we were never approached by conductors to check our tickets again. It was a costly lesson learned, but it taught us the importance of always having valid tickets and being prepared for unexpected challenges during travel.

Once we arrived in Monaco, we strolled along the waterfront, drawn by the allure of a sushi place. While initially aiming for the sushi spot Bella Hadid had praised, we settled for a random one, unsure if it was the famed one. Nevertheless, we made the most of our time in Monaco, despite the unexpected hits to our bank accounts. We meandered through the streets, taking in the sights and sounds, determined to enjoy the experience.

After exploring the Monaco castle and soaking in the scenic views, we hopped on a bus that offered a budget-friendly tour of the entire city. It was a fantastic way to see the sights without breaking the bank. As we circled around Monaco, we marveled at its beauty and grandeur, capturing moments that would stay with us long after the trip.

As the day wound down, we collectively agreed it was time to head back. Disembarking at the train station bus stop, we made our way to the train platform, where Toni and Lulu made sure to purchase their tickets this time. Still craving the comfort of mac and cheese, we decided to whip up a homemade batch once we returned home, adding a cozy touch to the end of our adventurous day in Monaco.

Upon returning to Menton, we made a quick stop at Carrefour to pick up the necessary ingredients for our homemade quatre fromages and noodles. Back at home, we poured ourselves some wine, fired up the stove, and embarked on a culinary adventure. The kitchen filled with the aroma of melting cheeses as we cooked and laughed together, creating a delicious meal that we savored while watching movies and simply enjoying each other's company. It was a delightful evening, and with each passing moment, I grew more excited about the prospect of living with these wonderful girls once we returned to Philadelphia.

The following day, with plans originally set for Nice, we opted to switch things up since I frequented Nice often. It made more sense for Lulu and Toni to explore Nice while I attended my classes. So, we set our sights on Antibes, one of my favorite spots, located just 20 minutes past Nice with an hour-long train ride.

Boarding the train once again, we found ourselves magically transported to Antibes. Eager to make the most of our day, we first stopped to grab some food and essentials, including wine, snacks, and even an inflatable tube for the beach. Arriving at the beach, we laid out our towels and soaked in the sun, alternating between reading, sunbathing, and cooling off in the inviting waters. My choice of a kids' inflatable tube added a whimsical touch to our beach adventures, much to everyone's amusement.

While Lulu and Toni ventured out to explore the buoy in the water, I contentedly read my book while perched on the small tube, occasionally collecting more sea glass as a souvenir of our time by the sea. Eventually, our beach day evolved into a leisurely shopping spree, as we meandered through charming boutiques nestled in the quaint, family-owned shops of Antibes. The town's unique blend of serene alleyways and bustling central areas left us enchanted.

As Lulu indulged in purchasing pottery crafted right before our eyes, I couldn't resist the allure of a nearby restaurant and bar offering tantalizing charcuterie boards. Starving after a day of sun and sea, I convinced Lulu and Toni to join me for a delightful feast of beer, cheese, meats, and mouthwatering mozzarella sticks. It was a perfect culmination to a wonderful day, filled with laughter, good food, and cherished memories. Heading home, our hearts were full, warmed by the joy of shared experiences and the beauty of Antibes.

The next day, my friends leisurely explored the charming streets of Menton, soaking in the beauty of our temporary home. As evening descended and my classes concluded, we gathered for one last night together, reminiscing about our adventures, laughing, and cherishing the bond we had formed. Their presence had brought such joy and warmth to my life, and I felt incredibly grateful for their friendship.

With their departure marking the end of this chapter, I felt a sense of temporary closure for Philadelphia. It was time to embrace my story, to take ownership of my journey, and to step into a new phase filled with growth, happiness, and the exhilarating sense of pure freedom. The experiences shared with my friends had enriched my life and prepared me for the adventures that lay ahead.