OST: Girl Tripping in Europe Tour

"I said to my reflection, let's get out of this place."

Hey there. I’m in Bruges with my bitches.

Actually I’ll be in Amsterdam when this greets you, but I’ve been gallivanting around Europe with Emily and our latest fleet of swans (they just find me at this point). Emily and I lived in a railroad-style apartment for four years—my current home, and through my insufferable Morrissey phase, no less—so she was my first-choice companion for this particular Girls’ Trip. The Netherlands were a forever fantasy, while Belgium was a rogue addition. No regrets. “Voilá!” has been the garnish of every moment.

Brussels is chill, but Bruges felt like plunging into a storybook, with jagged Flemish roofs and NeoGothic towers reflecting off the waterways. The other day we were cruising through the canals, the breeze on my cheeks and the sun beating into my leather blazer, and I was like, “Wow, I am so goddamn happy, this is the awe I am constantly questing for.”

Early on Em asked why we’d never gone Girl Tripping before. WELL, you know how it is, being 24 and freshly living in the city you fought for your entire life. You divy up unconventional shared spaces, you hustle for free booze and pizza. And you develop such a loving little traumabond that you can’t fathom, let alone afford, leaving your home. But Emily eventually headed back to Detroit before the pandemic hit. And I left Friday wondering how many tangerine Manhattan skylines I have left.

SO REAL TALK: Sometimes my identity as “world traveler” feels like one long extended bit. Factually because it *started* as a bit, but also because I don’t identify as a Travel-Is-Life chick or hold the American hipster wet dream that “people in Europe get to do whatever they want.” I’ll sit on a plane with half-a-plan in mind, my thoughts span from, “It’s funny that I do this” to “is this the worst idea of my life” Double those sentiments as I look down the throat of my lengthiest stay ever.

But I *do* feel like my old homes have become foreign, and I’m meant to be expanding out here right now. Surrounded by waterfowl, soaking in inspiration, experiencing unimaginable beauty, and downing berry-saturated beer. And for now it helps to have someone by my side as we stumble through the woods, me ranting about how the land of Oz was originally a utopia run by women.

So yeah, I’m OOO, you know the drill. This is a traveling playlist, which means it’s XL and may evolve as the week goes on. And stay tuned for souvenirs once I’m settled in my next location. ♥️

‘Till then, this mix is about: The first female chocolatier (Mary!), Cathedral-hopping, mystic cherry beer, “you can see this crucifix from space,” lace shopping, Grand-Place glowing purple, “Mmm, the Land of Chocolate,” fairy tale turrets everywhere you turn, Romy & Michelle, pouring your espresso on turtles, unfettered bliss floating on the canal, HHC lollipops, constant dehydration, bees, French commercial breaks, Belgian Fairy Tales by William Elliot Griffis, lighting candles everywhere, “wait, can I have the ticket with the naked lady,” international ornament Christmas tree, Delirium, cobblestones cobbling, First Born Daughter Support Club, “Is this outfit too much?” “That’s how I dress every day of my life, Em,” pomme frites and chicken tendies, HHC lollipops, H-A-M T-O G-O, blondes, Bruges, Brussels, Belgium…

…and Amsterdam.

The One & Only,

Mary Grace