Following a recent trip and other big life changes, I rediscovered the joy of putting on music during work and leisure. Whether it is during this blog post, while playing a round of Tetris or killing time before boarding, I found myself listening to more and more music recently.

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Travel is similar to music in the way it provides a compelling escape from everyday life, even if for a moment, in the case of music, or a few days, in the case of travel.

Both music and travel let you explore different cultures and experiences. In music, these perceptions are more abstract, but travel allows travelers to try new things. The best-case scenario is one where travel to a new place gives people the chance to experience new music. This one hits especially close to home for me. In my recent trip to Montréal, I was forced headfirst into the world of EDM festivals and local folk rock.

The former happened when we attended Igloofest and joined thousands in the freezing cold to listen to A-list disc jockeys. While this one was an excellent experience and let me connect with a few locals over the music, this is not the experience that will stick with me from the trip.

On our first night in Mont-Tremblant, the group participated in a snowshoe trek down the mountain. During the journey, we stopped for dinner at a cabin nestled in the forest. The food was great, but what will always stick out to me from that evening is the way the restaurant host, guide and guests all shared in music. Although most of the songs were in French, the tone and empathy came through loud and clear.

My favorite part of the night was when one of the guides on the trek picked up the acoustic guitar and began singing a Québec classic, Jean Leloup’s “I Lost My Baby.” The guide apologized to the English speakers but explained the local importance of the song.

For some reason, the song stuck with me, and I have listened to it several times since returning home, each time thinking back to the cozy cabin in the woods. Music and travel have the power to transport us, sometimes literally, sometimes not. But that is not a gift to be squandered.

— Erich Martin, assistant editor