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I was a guest of the Bakker Bugle B&B just a few weeks ago. I could tell you how much fun we had traveling & enjoying time with our friends & their hospitality, as well as Belgium beers, wine, and food, but instead here is a snippet of what Will & I did one day……

We decided to walk around the city center in Luxembourg City, then the crazies came out… but this isn’t about them…it’s about us. We strolled through the park near the B&B and found a fading smiley face.

Minutes later, a strange girl handed us a free hat & pen without so much as a credit card application. As we walked farther, we saw a balloon plaza with the same emblazoned emblem of TANGO. Not only is it my favorite dance, but also a communications company in Europe. But this was no ordinary balloon….it was gigantic & Helium filled!!

Our two magnificent balloons were tied to my purse & I proceeded to carry them for at least the next hour. Wind, sharp street signs, tree branches, French tourists, crowds tried to deter me from goal, which was to arrive home safely with balloons intact — for my joy & the delight of others.

On our last stop before home…..I decided to sit for a minute on the new space-saucer-shaped bench. To my dismay Will continued to snap photos….which resulted in a stop-animation/ short-French inspired
film that I like to call Balloons Bleu.

I have to say I was really impressed with the outcome…. it was way more entertaining than my accidental digital shorts which were odd but funny. [Ed. - Thanks to FotoosVanRobin and Atelier Vanessa Maurer for the CC-licensed photos.] Click on the image below to see the award-winning compilation.

So what were the balloons for? Pure enjoyment and the promotion of the advertisers for the night marathon… but more about that later.

Here are some additional topics for further blog posts on my trip to Luxembourg. I’ll write more based on popular demand….

1. Homonyms and other problems when trying to speak English
2. Can cheese really be too stinky?
3. What’s wrong with day old croissants?
4. Hoegaarden is not what it sounds like
5. How much wine is too much?
6. What’s wrong with a nightmare-athon?
7. I never knew that Anita was a cat person!
8. Tantrum! Tripoint! Tantrum!
9. 1 flush 2 flush, red flush, blue flush
10. Land pirates!
11. Ducks are great but swans are evil spawns of satan.

There is a new place called the Bakker B&B, est 2007. Conveniently located to the airport and is walk-able to many tourist attractions, such as Trinity College, Grafton St Shopping, St Stephen’s Green, etc.

The Bakker B&B is very homey & welcoming. Don’t let the name of the address fool you. “The Basement” is the place to be with a radiantly heated stone floor & crazy fireplace. This place is comfy & warm, not damp & misty, like the Ireland outside its door in November.

The guest accommodations are suitable for double occupancy & are the same rate for singles even during the peak season…(more about that later). Your stay at the BBB includes breakfast, but upon request may also include lunch & dinner (or dinner & supper).

Be sure to engage the owners in local and national news in the States. If you are lucky, they will even share a pint with you at the local pub, whether Guinness or Jameson, both are sure to make fast friends, especially if you buy a round or two.

Extra Special Perks include – a free walking tour of Dublin and Tourist information, such as info on local customs, maps, pamphlets, & reading materials. Internet connection is available by request.

The BBB is open all year round, but only exclusively by reservation. A minimum of 6 weeks notice is required.

Though the Euro is currently a lot stronger than the dollar, this visit is a must for all loyal (passport carrying) Bakker Bugle Blog readers. During the high season (April/May/June) visitors should book their exact dates of travel to lock in their stay.

Your satisfaction, like the coffee…….may be instant.

1. Embrace the culture. It is easy to do without much effort.
2. Explore by walking about each day.
3. Partake of a local alcoholic beverage — beer or whiskey, it doesn’t matter. Disclaimer: Number 3 is not for the pregnant or those who could become pregnant … you know who you are.
4. See a castle … and while you are at it, a babbling brook or a nearby river or canal.
5. Observe the local wildlife from a safe distance.
6. Go on a brewery tour … see #3 above. (No, I am not an alcoholic.)
7. See a round tower — though rare — it lends itself both to fairy tale and phallic visions.
8. Buy some postcards and mail them back to your jealous friends in the States … Try not to rub it in too much when back home.
9. Buy local artisan souvenirs (wool, lace, marble, pottery) for family and friends, because it is cool and you rubbed it in too much in #8.
10. Take pictures to remember the fun and hospitality, and to quote a friend, how it was “f*ing picturesque” (said in an Irish accent).