Veronica Lavil

Traveling historian with a writer's heart

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Tag: History

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Election Day: The Experiment of Democracy

November 3, 2020March 20, 2021by Veronica LavilLeave a Comment on Election Day: The Experiment of Democracy
Election Day: The Experiment of Democracy

I remember the day I learned that Spain had lived a Civil War in the 20th century, and I remember learning that the country had been ruled by a dictator, Francisco Franco. I was 10 years-old sitting on my Spanish grandparent's floor the summer of 2005 watching T.V. as my Abuelo repaired something that had [...]

A Student in Paris, Personal

Au Revoir La Sorbonne… For Now

October 5, 2020April 3, 2021by Veronica LavilLeave a Comment on Au Revoir La Sorbonne… For Now
Au Revoir La Sorbonne… For Now

Parfois, exister dans la liberté est plus douloureux que rester dans le confortable. Sometimes, existing in freedom hurts more than staying in what is comfortable.   I have officially finished my first year of my master's degree at the Sorbonne. These past few years of school have been such a ride that I have decided to [...]

A Foreigner in Paris, Travel

Saturday in the Countryside: Chantilly

July 2, 2019March 29, 2020by Veronica LavilLeave a Comment on Saturday in the Countryside: Chantilly
Saturday in the Countryside: Chantilly

One of the things that I absolutely love about living in France is how much there is to see and I feel like I will never be able to see all of it! This weekend I visited Chantilly, a small little town north of Paris (about a 25-minute train ride from Gare du Nord). It [...]

A Foreigner in Paris, Travel

Stepping back to Medieval Times : Provins, France

July 24, 2018March 6, 2019by Veronica Lavil4 Comments on Stepping back to Medieval Times : Provins, France
Stepping back to Medieval Times : Provins, France

Living in Paris is such a thrilling experience. There is the bustle of the city, the people out on the streets, cafés on every corner... but sometimes it can get quite exhausting and we "Parisians" need a break (am I even considered to be a Parisienne yet?).  A few weeks ago I started looking for [...]

A Student in Paris

You Don’t Know How Smart I Am

September 23, 2016January 13, 2017by Veronica Lavil7 Comments on You Don’t Know How Smart I Am
You Don’t Know How Smart I Am

I grew up with a mother who had an accent. I remember a time when we were in the pool and she was speaking to me in Spanish (because our relationship is in Spanish) and someone told her to speak in English because she was in America. I remember at times having to translate her [...]

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Veronica Lavil

Veronica Lavil

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On the eve of my departure, I had a date between the city and I. I drank red wine from a paper cup from the windowsill of my hotel as I’d done on so many evenings from my first apartment to the last. I listened to the people going on about their lives - the neighbor singing, the people on the streets with their aperitifs, the clinking of pots and pans from an open window of someone preparing their dinner… I remembered nights dancing along the sidewalks, “took our broken hearts, put them in a drawer”, of mornings watching the sunrise from Montmartre, remembering the weeks I didn’t know where I would sleep next… and it was then that I realized that I had wanted a date between myself and the 19 year-old wide-eyed child that arrived, excitedly, to the city of her childhood dreams almost 8 years ago. Paris is the place in where I became so many things I never knew I would and could become. It’s a place where I’ve danced, sang, cried and had to rebuild myself. It’s a city that haunts my past but yet shines with her magical lumière. Every time I come here, I become more at peace with her, both the city and the lost woman I was. I’ll always thank them for making me strong 🤍 It’s a complicated love affair, Paris and I, but how can you not love a place that made you into the woman that you are today? That gave you the best people who continuously show up? I’m appreciative and grateful, though this city can drive me crazy, of what I built here. Paris will always, somehow, feel like home 🤍 https://www.instagram.com/reel/CfmqUyFrV1M/ Parisian week As I sat in the courtyard of the halls I used to roam, drinking the same coffee from the cafe where I would spend hours studying (being served by strangers because those that used to work there no longer don’t - I wonder what happened to them), I couldn’t help but wonder how one place can mean so much and be so special yet at the same time be so scary. This place will always feel like home, but to another life and another woman. Though there are so many things I would turn back time on and change, I can’t help but appreciate how far I’ve come. I’ve made a beautiful life for myself and grieved the life I thought I would have. This new one is 100x better. I get to call two of the most beautiful cities in the world home. Ti amo Parigi. Je t’aime Paris. There is something about how the light hits at sunset, no? “I grew up bilingual… the bi does not stand for two but for adiós to speaking any language correctly”… and so starts my videos that I shall call #byelingual, in which I share with you the things I’m learning about the 4 languages I speak *decently*. Might as well start making fun of the stupidities I’m learning and embarrass myself on the internet. Her story changed and better days came ( 📸 @nnsiyafirsova ) May - moved into my new apartment, turned 27, danced in Torino, dipped my toes in the sea to get burned for the first time this season, and saw friends accomplish important things in their lives 🤍

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