A Trip to Europe
Lebanese poetess, writer, and translator living in Brazil, Taghrid Bou Merhi shares a travel literature piece
Taghrid Bou Merhi
Lebanese poetess, writer, and translator living in Brazil, Taghrid Bou Merhi holds a Law degree and is advisor to the International Union of Arab Intellectuals, in the Media Authority for Translation Affairs and advisor to the countries Al-Sham literary platform for literary translations. She is also ambassador of the team “International Cultural Salon Association” and ambassador of Brazil in the American P.L.O.T.S. Magazine; ambassador of Lebanon in the Association of the World Union of Writers and Artists UMEA Portugal. She is member of prestigious platform of WWWU World Nations Writers’ Union Kazakhstan. Editor of Al-Arabe Today, Rainbow, Literária Agharid, Al-Nil Walfurat, Literária and Allaylak Magazine.Fluent in Arabic (native language), French, English, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish She won the Nizar Sartawi International Translator Award for Creativity 2021 in the field of translation and literature. She won the 2nd Annual Zhengxin International Poet Award 2022 and 2023. Her poems have been published in numerous international anthologies, various literary magazines, journals and websites. Her poems have been translated into more than 30 languages. She is author Of 15 books.
A Trip to Europe
Lina had always dreamed of traveling to Europe. She had grown up hearing stories from her grandparents about their travels through the continent, and she had always been fascinated by the rich history and culture of the different countries.
So when her best friend, Sarah, suggested they take a trip to Europe together, Lina jumped at the chance. They spent months planning their itinerary, researching the best places to visit and the most affordable ways to get around.
Their first stop was Italy, where they spent a week exploring Rome, Florence, and Venice. They visited ancient ruins like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, marveling at the incredible architecture and imagining what life must have been like in ancient times.
They also indulged in plenty of Italian food and ice cream, sampling everything from pizza and pasta to gelato and tiramisu. Lina was particularly taken with the art in Florence, spending hours wandering through galleries filled with masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli.
Next up was France, where they spent another week exploring Paris and the surrounding countryside. They visited iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as lesser-known gems like Montmartre and Sainte-Chapelle.
They also took a day trip to Versailles, where they marveled at the opulent palace and its sprawling gardens. Lina couldn’t believe how grand everything was in France – even something as simple as a croissant felt like a work of art.
Their final stop was Germany, where they spent a few days exploring Berlin before heading south to Munich. They visited historic sites like Checkpoint Charlie and Brandenburg Gate in Berlin before indulging in some traditional Bavarian culture in Munich.
They drank the delicious juice at Hofbräuhaus am Platzl while listening to live music played on traditional instruments like accordions and tubas. They also visited Neuschwanstein Castle – famously the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle – and hiked through the nearby mountains.
Throughout their trip, Lina and Sarah took countless photos to document their adventures. They posed in front of ancient ruins, snapped selfies in front of famous landmarks, and even took a few silly photos to remember the fun they had together.
But more than just taking photos, Lina felt like she was truly immersing herself in the different cultures and customs of each country. She tried new foods, learned a few phrases in different languages, and even picked up a few souvenirs to bring back home.
As their trip came to an end, Lina felt grateful for the opportunity to experience so much in such a short amount of time. She knew that she would always treasure the memories she had made with Sarah on this incredible journey through Europe.
_________________
