We were browsing in the factory outlet of the Haribo Candy Factory near Uzes, France, when all of a sudden we heard the sound of a piccolo being played, and quite beautifully, too. The sound seemed to come from the direction of the parking lot.

As we made our way back to our car, we were intrigued to find the musician traipsing across the lot in the direction of a tour bus, followed closely by a growing collection of teens.

Although the Pied Piper of Hamlin is long gone, apparently his concept lives on. And what a great alternative to the frantic waving of a ratty flag, the oh so proper poking of a Mary Poppin-ish umbrella, and the megaphone vocal attempts of other guides who have crossed our paths in our travels.

Let’s hear it for the guy with the talent and the imagination to put it to good use.