IrishOboe

I hope you don’t mind the get-it-as-it-comes approach, but I’m finding it easier to sit down and write what I feel like writing about rather than worrying about chronological order.  Friday I most stayed at home doing some work in the morning, then I went for a walk to the local free zoo with Stephan and Tamino.

So I heard so much about how smoke is everywhere in Europe.  For example, if there’s a non-smoking section in a restaurant, it’s separated by the smoking section with a wall of air, like many restaurants used to be in America.  For almost 10 days in Switzerland I managed to avoid a really bad smoking situation.  The airports didn’t have sealed off smoking rooms, but they did have little booths that sucked in much of the smoke when smokers stood near them.  I seemed to do okay then, and thankfully the flights were smoke free.  I have noticed many people smoking outside, but usually I can stand far enough away from them that I am not bothered much.  Occasionally you can stuck behind someone, but only for a short time.  I haven’t been out to eat much nor been in many public indoor buildings, so perhaps it’s as bad as everyone says it is, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.  Still, at this moment my clothes and my air wreak intensely of cigarette smoke.  Blah, I haven’t had that experience for a long time – certainly never in Japan!  After my laundry is finished I will say it was worth it, though.

The Famous Rhein

 I like the Basel traffic system.  My guess is the fastest way to get around is by tram, then by bike, then car, then walking.  Given that by car is between biking and walking you'll see that walking isn't so bad compared to driving!  This bridge is a good example.  There's one lane for each mode of transport.  The trams always have the right of way, then comes pedestrians.  I'm guessing cars yield to bikes, but they both deal with lights (there are separate bike lights - I'll have to get a pictures of that).  So here we have the trams on the left, then cars, then a nice bike lane, then the sidewalk.

It’s hard to understand the emotions during big life changes even if they are somewhat temporary.  Yesterday I was in a kind of uncomfortable funk, even though I could not say it was a bad day.  Yes, many little things went wrong, but then many good things went right dealing with those things.  Today pretty much went right at least up to this 4pm writing.