Our Search for the Fountain of Youth Continues

Our European Adventure is underway. We arrived in Basel, Switzerland on the first day of October and moved into daughter Rachel’s tiny apartment which will be our base for the next month. It was wonderful to catch up with her once again, along with Caity who had arrived a few days ahead of us and will be our travelling companion for the next 12 days.

My first task was to get some clarification on Rachel’s recent promotion to Senior Scientist. Several years ago, well maybe a few more, I became a Senior Golfer. However that had nothing to do with my game rising to a new level, rather it had everything to do with my age. I was therefore justifiably concerned that the Scientific world took the same approach but at a much younger age for Scientists. Fortunately, Rachel set me straight and I am proud to announce our Senior Scientist has been recognized by her manager and peers for the wonderful work she has accomplished during her first 10 months at the University. This promotion is not normally awarded until someone has earned their stripes over a five year period so this was indeed a major accomplishment for her. We are very proud.

During our first two days in Basel we did a lot of walking around the city, getting our bearings for future outings. Very little English is spoken, mostly German and some French. Rachel has learned some key German words, making it easier to communicate when she is with us. We had drinks at Bar Rouge which is on the top floor (31^st) at Exhibition Square which provided great views of the city. That evening we had dinner in Old Town, near the Rhine River, where the streets were busy with outdoor bar and restaurant patrons, and others strolling around admiring the beautiful architecture in the area. Yesterday, following a much deserved 12 hour sleep (8 hour time zone change), we took a short train trip to Augst to walk amongst the old Roman ruins of August Raurica which date back to 27 B.C. The amphitheatre (where the gladiators used to fight), the restored outdoor theatre and the remains of the old fort beside the Rhine River were the highlights.

Our first impression of Switzerland has been very positive. The weather has been lovely, 20C and slightly cooler in the evenings. Basel is very pretty and clean, the people seem friendly, they have well run transit systems (bus, tram, trains) and are very well organized. Trains leave exactly on time as scheduled and electronic signboards advise the time of the incoming bus or tram. Tickets are purchased on an honour system, speeding up the passenger stops. Costs are based on a user pay system (since their tax rates are very low) so prices tend to be a bit higher than most other countries but it appears to be working for them. It seems like more people own bicycles than cars leading to good air quality and walkability. I have only two minor disappointments so far. The first is the lack of recycling, with very few bins available for aluminum cans, bottles and paper, which all seem to end up in the trash cans (of which there are many). The second is their No Fun policy (officially called the No Noise law). Starting at 10 pm each evening, the lights go out at the soccer pitches, outdoor parties are supposed to end and even showers in your home are not permitted after the curfew in case the sound offends a neighbour. I suspect this law was enacted by older politicians who like to go to bed early but it does seem a tad early to cut out the fun. 

Today, we left Rachel behind at work, and took a train from Basel to Friedrichshafen which is on the German side of Lake Constance. We walked along the harbourfront, went to a biergarten (last week-end of Octoberfest) and had a delicious meal at a restaurant recommended by our host, Marcus. We are spending two nights here and tomorrow we will take a boat tour around Lake Constance and visit the Zeppelin Museum before moving on to Salzburg and Vienna in Austria for a week. Rachel will join us at Lake Constance for a day and then return home to Basel to take care of her ailing cat.

Bar Rouge on the 31st floor of the former tallest building in Basel overlooking the city.

Urinal view of Basel (or vice versa). Exhibition Square below and the Rhine River crossing the middle of the city.

Old Town and it's cobble streets

Augusta Raurica - the restored (and still used) theatre dating back to 27 B.C.

Friedrichstafen, Germany - walking along the beautiful harbourfront.

Biergarten Babes

Lake Constance waterfront and a Zeppelin tour above.....60 minute rides for only $600 pp....and fully booked 6 months ahead of time.....if only we had known :-)

Lukullum Restaurant - former bank with highly secure washrooms.