Has it been five days since I arrived! I hardly know how to count time. I sleep too little, eat bread and cheese, go into town with the family, try to think about what in the world I should be doing and preparing, and generally have a good time.
Day one (Thursday, Jan. 25) well all took the tram to Anu’s work and had some coffee together before splitting up. Stephan took me to the Alien Registration building and I was sure grateful he was there because I didn’t know any of the vocabulary in the situation! It turned out to be relatively painless. After filling out some information, which they already had on file, I received my L permit. Oh, and of course I had to pay the small sum of 130 francs (about $100). Stephan also convinced me to open a bank account, which I have a feeling will come in handy, though I was thinking I could get by without it.
After a rest at home we met Anu for lunch then we went to the SBB train station so Stephan could catch the train to Zürich for a meeting of sorts and we stopped by the information desk to get maps and information for me. Then the girls (Anu and I) and Tamino did some shopping. I tried to find a German Bible, but wasn’t sure what was what, but got an idea of what was available. We went to Migros for my first Swiss grocery store experience. It wasn’t as much of a thrill as the Japanese grocery stores in terms of unidentified dead or alive substances, but it was interesting none the less. I’m not sure what other interesting things they have, but I’m stuck on their bread and cheese. There’s so much of a good-looking selection! I don’t know what I’ll do when I walk into a real bakery! My hosts are a little worried about me living on bread and cheese two meals a day for five days, but I’m assuming this phase shall pass. I’ve discovered Gruyere cheese, and I love it! I have yet to try the really sharp stuff, though. The Swiss also have interesting yogurt flavors like chocolate and pear. I haven’t looked in the yogurt section of an American grocery store recently, though.
After dinner I got the tour of the house and the washing machines and such, and they have a cute little washing machine that will be perfect for my small loads. That evening I had a lovely chat with Anu and she made me feel very comfortable. She’s a great help with my German because she learned it once herself and knows the kind of trouble an older learner has. Thought at home we mostly speak English, I speak what German I can and can often understand a few words when they speak to Tamino. I figured it’s better to communicate and create a relationship rather than forcing the experience of immersion. I’ll reevaluate a bit later and decide if there’s too much English in my life, but for now it’s working out fine.
I’ve been staying up rather late and feeling very tired when I get up, but I haven’t been completely zonked at odd times of the day like I was in Japan. Last night (Saturday) I slept about 10 hours and it felt great. Hopefully an early bedtime today will help to create a well adjusted body clock.
Friday Tamino nicely woke me up at 8 and I didn’t want to get up at all. I had to be out of my room so that the cleaning lady could get in, but once I was up I felt fine. I got a good dose of Basel dialect and am realizing it’s quite a bit different and will be more of a challenge than I thought it might.
Stephan and I took Tamino sledding, which was great fun (as you saw in the video). We met Anu for lunch and went to the large shopping center Obi (interesting name!). I bought a plug converter so wouldn’t be electrocuting myself anymore, and I also found a nice city map as opposed to the simple one the tourist information office gave me. I then decided it was time for me to go exploring on my own. So on my second full day in Basel I took my leave of the family and explored the city by tram on my own. I found the location of inligua, but didn’t bother to go in. I almost accidentally came near the Schola and managed to find the entrance. I did a little looking around inside, but it seems most stuff is behind closed doors and there isn’t much space anyway. I also found a few curious sights that I snapped pictures of for the blog. I’m finally finding time and inspiration to write a bit rather than simply post pictures. I hope to do a more combined approach in the future. Let me know what you think.
On the way home I stopped by a Christian bookstore Stephan told me about and they had many more choices for Bibles. I managed to have an intelligent conversation about my choices in German, but when I went to check out was asked if I wanted a bag in dialect and it sounds nothing at all like any word for bag in German. Of course the Swiss have no trouble switching to German or English when you don’t understand. Happily, nearly everyone I’ve spoken to in German responds with German and not English.
The next day we went out in the morning to watch the festivities of Vogel Gryff. I’m not exactly clear on what it’s about, but it’s connected to old guild societies from Medieval Switzerland based in Klein Basel, where the working class was. The festival involves three strange characters dancing with their back toward Gross Basel (the commercial and up scale district) on the other side of the Rhein. I have yet to see the Face in Gross Basel who responds by sticking out his tongue rhythmically towards Klein Basel. Glad to know there was always mutual respect between the classes.
(Feb. 3: Now I've seen the face and here it is)
Flags and Important Viewers.
2007-1-27 Vogel Gryff procession.mpg
After stopping at Starbucks where I decided I didn’t want to pay $5 for a small cup of coffee, we mostly stayed at home and I got out my oboe and had a nice IM chat with Mom and Dad. I decided I needed to rest the next day and planned for nothing but rest and an outing for church. Making it to bed at 9:30 I had a wonderful nights sleep!
The next day I walked about 10 minutes to the protestant St. Markus. I’m not really sure how the denominations work here. I’m sure I’ll be finding it out sooner or later. The space was small but nice, their organist quite good, but I was nearly a tenth of the congregation. The pastor greeted me warmly on entrance, but no one else talked to me and I didn’t even see where I could give an offering! I managed to follow the service quite well since a few key words here and there led me to the right passage in the Bible. The singing wasn’t bad for such a small group, and they were all good Lutheran hymns (I think – maybe it’s just because they were in German . . .)
After the service I took a walk continuing northeast when a female with a trombone out of the case caught my attention and I decided to discreetly follow. Soon after, I saw a few sousaphones and lines of people. As I walked along a fife and drum band started to play, but there were no uniforms.
2007-1-28 fife band in the forest.mpg
2007-1-28 janet shows the area near the fife bands.mpg
I know I’m difficult to understand (I don’t want to speak too loudly to myself!) but it might be fun to watch anyway. Next time I’ll think about my diction. ;)
All this lured me into the forest park that Anu had warned me not to go to alone early in the morning or late at night. It was a beautiful park and I soon heard the brass band playing. Well, the story is on this video.
2007-1-28 janet hears band in forest.mpg
I found out from Anu that the ban on making noise is lifted the month before Fastnach (a carnival of sorts) so the bands can practice.
Right after the band passed me some creep claiming to be from Benin Republic was persistent in his amorous endeavors. I finally ditched him by doing an about face as we past a man and telling him “Geh!!” which I hope means go. I apologized to the man I was no walking with, but he didn’t so much as glance my way and quickened his pace to loose me. Thanks for the support! This video tells the story, but I’m (perhaps understandably) hard to understand this time.
2007-1-28 janet mouths off about the creep from Benin.mpg
I tried to wonder around out of the park but not near my home in case he tried to follow me. I guess I didn’t realize how far southeast we’d walked in the park while I was trying to ditch the guy and thought I didn’t realize it a the time, I came out onto he road right by our street! I did more strange turns and wonderings before heading home. I don’t think he had criminal intentions, just wanted some fun. Yuck.
On the way home I studied the tram ticket dispenser and learned a thing or two about the Basel tram system. I took the opportunity of capturing evidence that the Swiss are better educated than Americans – you have to be educated to understand billboards! Oh I forgot, you have to be educated in America too – about pop culture.
I did a wash at home then watched “Swiss Maker” with Stephan and Anu while Tamino was sleeping. It was so funny (English subtitles). It’s about people tried to become Swiss citizens, and it’s absolutely crazy what’s required for the process. It was made in the 70’s but I was told it’s all so relevant today, too! If Netflix has it, I recommend it as a good look into the Swiss mind, though it doesn’t have so much in the way of scenery.
That’s it for now and after I add the pictures I’ll be all caught up! I’m certainly doing better than when I was in Japan.
Love you!
