Meet & Explore

Okay, I have to tell you about this. You remember my first months in Pau. Weekends were me, my phone, and everyone else's stories. I tried the dating apps "just for friends", and every hello turned into a flirt by the second message. The big local groups had hundreds of members and nobody actually showing up. Then a colleague showed me Meet & Explore. Honestly? I rolled my eyes. Another app. But there was no feed to scroll. There was a sunset walk on Tuesday, and I could see the faces of everyone going. I almost didn't go. I stood on the corner telling myself I could still turn back. Then a woman with a flask of tea waved me over like we'd known each other for years. By the second viewpoint I'd forgotten I was nervous. What made me relax enough to say yes: the host had verified who she was with a selfie, I knew exactly who'd be there, and there are groups and events just for women.…