12 museomag   03 ‘ 2020 
“BEFORE, EVERYTHING JUST SEEMED 
COOL, OLD AND EUROPEY TO ME” 
INTERVIEWING MIKE MCQUAIDE WHO TEAMED UP WITH M3E FOR THE UPCOMING 
SUMMER CAMPAIGN 
When Mike McQuaide moved to the Grand Duchy 
in 2013, he did not foresee becoming known 
nationwide as „An American in Luxembourg“. 
The U.S. journalist and Luxembourgish author 
has since put together a colorful collection of 
witty anecdotes about his life as an expat-turned- 
citizen in Luxembourg. Navigating expertly the 
classic paper and social media alike, Mike has now 
taken a closer look at the city and explored Dräi 
Eechelen Park. We are glad he teamed up with 
M3E for the upcoming summer campaign. 
Mike, what made you start a social media profile on 
Luxembourg? 
It was really just a way to brag and show off to 
our friends back in the U.S. what our year-long 
Luxembourg-European adventure was like. Of course, 
that was seven-and-a-half years ago and my whole 
family are now Luxembourg citizens, and we have no 
plans to leave! Y‘all are stuck with us! 
What was interesting and really felt validating was 
that soon after I started the American in Luxembourg 
Facebook page (March, 2013), pretty much most of the 
people following it were Luxembourgers. They were 
very interested in this outsider‘s impression of their 
country. 
You must have previous experience in writing and 
blogging? 
I was a reporter/freelance writer for many years 
(Seattle Times, Bellingham Herald, Runner‘s World 
magazine, Outside magazine, etc.) and I‘ve written six 
guidebooks on travel and outdoor recreation focusing 
on Washington State. 
In Luxembourg, you ride your bike wherever you 
want to, most recently around the heights of the 
city. What‘s your favorite spot in the city? 
Right now, I‘m sorta kinda obsessed with Dräi Eechelen 
Park and its surrounding folds and ridges. There‘re so 
many ways to get up, down, around and across it, and 
thus, so many different amazing views overlooking 
Paffendall and Clausen and the Bock and beyond. It‘s 
mind-blowing, because there‘re so many views and 
they‘re always changing according to time of day, 
weather, season, etc. 
You consider yourself a map nerd. Do you have a 
favorite map on display at Musée Dräi Eechelen? 
My favorite is the Ferraris map [Commissioned by 
Mike McQuaide: “I‘m sorta kinda obsessed with Dräi Eechelen Park and its surrounding folds and ridges.” 
© 
éric chenal