Life in Luxembourg during COVID-19

...and then a worldwide pandemic hit. There we were, just living a quiet life in Luxembourg, enjoying croissants and baguettes and wine, minding our own business, when COVID-19 made an entrance with a flourish, settled in for the dance, and proceeded to outstay her welcome.

Although Luxembourg is not a country that has required me to organize evacuations and charter flights, I'm certainly keeping busy helping U.S. citizens understand what their options are in returning home to the United States. I'm alternating going in to the embassy and teleworking from home.

It's surreal, but we're hunkered down - going out only when necessary and wearing our masks (a Luxembourg mandate if you think you'll be within about six feet of another human). Part of the "necessary" in "going out only when necessary" includes going for walks to keep from going crazy.

But going for walks has to be tempered with my tolerance for the Olympic-grade pollen that seems to be wafting in my general direction at any given moment. I suffered from seasonal-allergy-induced asthma years ago, but thought I was over that. Not so. Last week I had to request an inhaler from the med unit in Brussels. Asthma makes me cough, especially when I'm lying down (aka sleeping). And it's a dry cough, and it gives me a headache, two symptoms that I'm watching closely.

Over the last couple of weeks, R and I have been able to walk outside of our home - a key ingredient to my sanity.

About two weeks ago.

I love the woods here in Luxembourg - this is about a 1.5 mile walk from our house.

The old Villeroy and Boch factory.

In the cemetery near our house - this is where I discovered my allergies were back - in force.

That quintessential view of Luxembourg - last weekend.

Just a lovely path through the city.

Always remember to look up!

The least welcoming church on the planet - St. Quirin.

If you know anything about me, you know I LOVE lilacs.

A Greek Orthodox church - walking home from work yesterday.

Preach.