An Open Letter To Bose Corporation

Dear Bose Corporation,

There is a crater where my road used to be.  The house across the street is an obliterated pile of rubble.  The days are filled with the sound of explosions and endless pounding that rattles the dishes in the cabinet.  The nights are filled with the sounds of heated arguments in the streets.  If I didn't know better, I would swear my house is in the center of a war zone.  There are pictures of my neighborhood after the Battle of Bulge and it looks disturbingly similar.

However, this isn't a war zone.  It's a construction zone.  Except for holidays and the month of August, the small city square I live in has been in a constant state of renovation since we moved here almost two years ago.  They've dug up our street three times in the last 21 months.  When one building is demolished and a new one is built in its place, they move down to the next address.  As I write this, there are two demolition projects underway across the street, one behind our house, and the third attempt to do whatever it is they can't stop doing to my street kicked off yesterday afternoon.  Occasionally, one of our adjoining neighbors to our row home (architectural creativity has blessed us with 5) gets in the act with a sledge hammer or a hammer drill.  If there is a disease that creates an unquenchable desire to tear things down and rebuild them, there are a lot of infected people in this town.  One would think that after quitting time, all this racket would cease.  Alas, the clientele from the bar around the corner picks up where construction crews left off.  All told, there are approximately 3 hours a day of peace, between the hours of 4 and 7 A.M.

While I'm sure there are some people that thrive in this type of environment, I'm not one of them.  During the week, my time is spent editing photographs, painting, writing, or editing video.  I need a quiet environment so I can, well, hear myself think.  At the beginning of September the construction reached a new level of intensity and I found myself unable to stay focused on what I was doing.  The only time I could get somewhere quiet was when I rode my bicycle out to the middle of nowhere or I walked up into the forests.  Unfortunately, doing that meant I wasn't able to paint, write, or do anything else.  I was becoming frustrated, irritable, and sometimes downright enraged.

Then, one day I walked into one of your shops and popped on a pair of your Quiet Comfort 15 Headphones.  At that moment, I knew life was about to significantly improve.  They were playing loud music in the shop.  There were other people inside talking at a level to be heard above the music.  But, when I flipped that little switch on the right ear cup, all of that was silenced.  I heard absolutely nothing.  It was beautiful.  I'll never forget it.  I think I may have teared up a little.

I've owned these headphones for two weeks now and I cannot stop talking about them.  I put them on as soon as the construction crews roll into town at 7 A.M. and I'm blissfully unaware of their presence for the entirety of the day.  I thought that wearing headphones all day every day would be uncomfortable, but these are so light and soft I forget they're even there.  Whether I have music pumped into them or not, they provide that quiet environment I have been craving for so long.  They are allowing me to hear my thoughts again, to focus, and to express them.  I cannot begin to explain what that means to me.

In short, thank you, thank you, thank you.  Please, give your Quiet Comfort development team a hug from me.  I can honestly sayyour product has changed my life for the better.  That is big deal.

Sincerely and with my deepest thanks,

CG

Prisoner of Constructionville

Boot Tracks

One day it was summer, the next day Winter was banging on the door impatiently demanding that Autumn hurry up and do its thing so Winter can settle into its 7 month (at minimum) oppressive occupation of the region.  With its thunderous arrival comes the sad realization that we're beginning another long slog through seemingly endless wet, dark months.  While it is tempting to retreat into a large chalice of Belgian Strong Ales until next May, we're not willing to give up on all the cycling induced fitness we were able to grab a hold of this year.  However, our focus has shifted to training in a different activity besides cycling.  While we still commute by bike nearly every day, the pace has slackened as we use our reliable all weather FX and Redline.  The road bikes await the distant coming of drier conditions from their perches on the trainers.  Weekend excursions are no longer to Belgian roads and cycle paths, but to muddy tracks in quiet forests much closer to home.  It is officially hiking and backpacking season.

The forests of Luxembourg are magical places, especially in the Mullerthal region (Petite Suisse Luxembourgeoise).  While the region is only about 7% of the Duchy it is full of gorges, streams, ruins, crags, and rock shelters.  Except of course for the castle ruins, it reminds me of the sandstone ledge areas of the CVNP, Nelson Ledges, and the Liberty Park Conservation Area in Twinsburg.  The Mullerthal is stunning and, in my opinion, best seen on foot.  

We decided to take hiking one step further this year and try a backpacking session in the Mullerthal next month.  While backcountry backpacking in the traditional American sense can't be done, we can plan nearly the same experience with a few modifications.  You can still tromp all day with everything you need on your back and camp in a tent every night.  However, the camping bit has to be done at an official campground.  So, the getting away from civilization aspect is out the window (civilization is always close at hand).  However, you can still sleep on the ground, cook your meals outdoors, and enjoy being in the quiet solitude of nature for most of the day.  For a true backcountry experience Scandinavia is a go to region.  Someday, someday we will get there.

Nevertheless, we are quite enthusiastic about our Mullerthal backpacking plans.  Except for a few minor items, we already have the necessary gear.  The trails are just minutes from home.  Plus, unlike cycling, it is an activity our dog can participate in (he put the paw down on basket and trailer travel).  With the arrival of autumn and the start of school, the holiday season is coming to an end.  In the next month many campgrounds will be closing for the season, but a few stay open year round.  European Campgrounds are mostly designed for motor homes and short or long term cabin rentals.  But, they all have at least one area for those that want to, eh hem, actually camp.  Of course, this part isn't free.  But the fees to pitch a tent are incredibly reasonable.  Some people have told me that you can attempt to backcountry camp and hope no one comes along discovering you on private property.  For expats, it's best to obey the laws.  Anyway, with the cooler, wet weather tent camping shouldn't be as popular at the campgrounds.

When you're not in the campground backpacking is backpacking.  Walking in the woods is just walking in the woods.  Honestly, I can't think of a better way to embrace the passing season.  Instead of fighting the arrival of cool, crisp mornings and rainy afternoons, we're rolling with it with a pack on our backs and making boot tracks.

A Guide for the Guides

If you live somewhere far from your family or where you grew up there is a chance that you may have visitors from time to time. If you live near a place that is a tourist destination, you can count on it.  Having visitors from home is one of the highlights of being an expat.  It's always a pleasure to spend time with family and friends who come to visit us in Luxembourg.  Part of the time is always spent showing people around.  We've had quite a few people come through since our relocation and each time we learn something new about being guides.  So, here are our top tips for being a tour guide.

1. Know your audience.

Some visitors may be seasoned travelers, others may have just disembarked from their first flight.  Some people like shopping, others art, others prefer trying new food and drink.  It helps to make plans that take your visitor's interests into account.  If they do not travel often or haven't visited your area before, make sure they get to see the big sights, even if you have visited them 1,000 times.  While the sights may have lost their luster for you, being apart someone's first visit is always a lot fun.  Ask them what they would like to see and do and plan accordingly.

On the same note, when you're walking around (and you will be walking around a lot) you may be finding yourself wanting to point out some sights along the way.  Your audience's level of interest dictates how much detail you should to go into.  Months ago we had some visitors who were fascinated by pre-Roman and Roman history.  For me they were sponges, greedily soaking up all the historical details I was happily sharing with them.  Of course, most visitors aren't eager students of early European history.  For them, it's best to stick with big names and dates that they would be familiar with.
We've yet to host anyone with an interest in cycling...sigh.

2.  Allow some free time.

Unless you have a minor visiting, adults are capable of doing their own thing.  Allow your visitors to do so.  If someone wants to go shopping up and down the Champs-Élysées, by all means let them.  You do not have to hold their hand every waking moment.  We found that planning some free time for everyone is really helpful.  Everybody has the chance to do their own thing and then we can all meet up afterwards.  That way if your guests want to spend some time in high end boutiques and all you want is a table at a cafe, everyone gets what they're after.

3. Pace yourself.

Some guests like to do their sightseeing at a relaxed speed.  Others down coffee all day and won't want to quit until about 3am.  If your pace matches your guests, cool.  If it doesn't, make sure you compromise.  If someone ends up overstretched they could wear out and tensions could rise.  That's why scheduling regular free time is so important.

4.  Show them your favorites.

Whether it's a hidden spot for a drink or a quiet park in Paris no one knows about, take your guests to places that are special to you, not the guide books.  For example, there's an Indian Restaurant we that we always take visitors to.  Obviously, they don't serve local cuisine, but the the owner and his family are fabulous and the food is always spot on.  We eat there almost every week.  While most guests are interested in seeing the famous places, they really enjoy getting to see how we live day to day.  Even though the grocery store is far from being a favorite place for us, our guests often enjoy a stroll through the aisles.  For them, it's a peek into our lives as expats.

5.  Provide some challenges.

Part of traveling is pushing the borders of your comfort zone.  Whether it's trying new foods or a new experience, travel is the best way to broaden your horizons.  Some people are more open to this aspect than others, but everyone should have the chance to experience the thrill of trying something new.  As a guide it's important to make sure your guests have a few challenges.  Give them the opportunity to eat local delicacies, encourage them to take in a sight or go shopping on their own so they can interact with locals and see the place for themselves.  Of course, don't abandon them altogether, but a little push for adventure opens the door for them to have memories that are all their own.

So, whether you live a few states over or on the other side of the globe, those are 5 things to keep in mind when you are playing tour guide for your visitors.  But, no matter what you do or where you go, the most important thing is for everyone to enjoy themselves.  While they are getting the chance to see new places, you have the chance to spend time with special people who bring a little bit of home with them.