Where Kindness Meets the Sea

I’m in Nice, France. The temperatures are high, and it feels like my blood is boiling. It’s been a while since I’ve been somewhere this hot. Everywhere I look, it feels alive. People from all over the world move through the streets, and every version of beauty seems to be here. Laughter fills the air, smiles pass easily between strangers, and together they paint the city with beauty, as if the streets themselves are glowing.

I also really want to meet the person who spread the rumor that French people are not welcoming. Every time I visit France, I’m in awe of how friendly they are. Mostly, though, I’m impressed by the women. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that encouraged and quietly empowered by other women anywhere else in the world. At least that’s my experience. There’s this sense of a unified force, as if women are genuinely rooting for one another. They smile at me, compliment my smile or my dress, and radiate a contagious warmth. Whenever I asked for directions or had a small question, they didn’t just answer, they went out of their way to make sure I had what I needed. It felt like they wanted me to succeed, even in the smallest moments, and that left me both humbled and inspired.

Even now, I’m sitting in a beautiful lounge area by the beach. It’s early noon on a Saturday. Meaning, everywhere I’ve looked has been packed with people, with not a single seat in sight. At the entrance stood a strikingly beautiful hostess, managing several groups of people. I waited in line, lowering my expectations, convinced there wouldn’t be a seat for me, but I stayed anyway, just in case. When it was finally my turn, I asked if there was a place for one. She looked at me and asked, “You need a drink, right?”
“Desperately,” I replied. She smiled and led me past the crowds into a quiet corner, where I could enjoy the view of the sea, the shade I had secretly wished for, a cold Aperol Spritz, and the perfect chance to sit and write. “Here is my favorite spot,” she said, and I silently wanted to hug her.

Sometimes life brings seasons when even the most breathtaking views or faraway travels can’t lift the weight we carry. But then there are moments like this one, when kindness, beauty, and simple joy pierce through, reminding me just how much there is to love about this world. Today, sitting here in Nice with the sea in front of me and warmth all around, I can only feel grateful. It has always been one of my deepest wishes to travel and see new places. My heart wants to burst out of my chest with gratitude. Gratitude for being alive, for being free, and for the chance to see, once more, just how beautiful this world truly is.