IrishOboe

Tues. Oct 2^nd – Wed. Oct. 3^rd 2007 

Despite traffic I made it to the Orlando airport in time.  I even had time to do my Egoscue exercises (modified so I wouldn’t have to lie on the airport floor).  I was traveling alone so I didn’t have to worry about embarrassing anyone.  It was well worth it – as were doing some seated exercises on the plane.  The change in Atlanta was easy.  The flight to Zurich was fairly empty so I had two seats but slept on and off.  The signs to the train station were easy to follow and I missed the 8:04 because I had to call VZ to say I was coming.  I left a message and caught the 9:04 train to Basel and felt just fine.  I was earlier than expected so Veronika wasn’t waiting for me, but I called her and we met up.  I didn’t panic or worry one bit during all of it.  I knew I was in God’s hands, but it sure helps to be somewhat familiar with things.  It’s still odd to think I’m back.

Veronika showed me her beautiful home in the hills outside of Basel.  She has a garden all around her house that is half wild and includes an apple tree, hazelnut trees, lots of vines, ornamental strawberries, lots of flowers, herbs or cooking, vegetables, roses, a large cherry tree that towers outside my 2^nd story window, and more I’m sure.  My room is about the size of the double rooms at Eastman, so there’s plenty of space for the amount of stuff I was allowed to bring here.  Features that make me happy are a large (I mean large) desk with file drawers so I don’t have to go and buy a filing box; a sink and medicine cabinet in the room, a nice desk chair that makes me sit up right; a bed that’s just right for doing my Egoscue exercises; a beautiful view of trees, garden, and an old house; and lamps at my bedside and at the desk (it’s as though she knew I’d better be making reeds!).  The only down sides that I’ve noticed so far are a lack of bookshelves; no wardrobe (but the closet has some shelves so I’m making do); and the biggest downer (which shouldn’t have been much of a surprise since Veronika doesn’t use Internet much) the internet is dial up, on a computer that’s in another room.  I’m looking into how much it would cost to get high speed, but it may take a while.

Veronika made me a lovely and tasty lunch which we ate outside under the sun in the garden.  My first welcome from Basel was an unexpected snow storm.  My second, an unusually warm, sunny day!  Lunch was a salad with homemade dressing, a thin pie of cheese and leaks from the garden, the same style pie with apples, and tea made with herbs from the garden.  Ah, I am so spoiled to be here!

After lunch we took a walk in the Forests in Allschwil and Oberwil, which are nearby and lovely!  I’m excited to have such a rustic feeling place to do my running.  The forest is surrounded by fields and you can’t see the city at all.  I feel like I’m out in the country (I guess technically I am since I’m in Basel Land and not Basel Stadt) and it is so exciting to know I’ll have a beautiful, refreshing place to come home to after the hustle and bustle of my city activities.  I can’t wait to get a bike!

I just realized I can’t use the power to my computer because I left my electric converter here.  I hope it’s at the Bloms because I’m getting my stuff from them on Firday.  Anyway, after the walk we stopped at a house so Veronika could do her housesitting duties and I lay down on a bench swing, and woke up to Veronika calling me.  I don’t know how long I slept but I was still sleeping when I woke up because I spoke to her in English and didn’t realize it.  My brain took about an hour to come back to life and it was a tough fight.  I called Mom during that time – I guess I like to ensure she doesn’t relax her prayers.  We had another tasty meal of tomatoes and basil from the garden with fresh mozzarella cheese, hearty bread with the most delicious herbed cottage cheese, and water mixed with elderberry syrup that Veronika had made from her elderberries (which I forgot to mention in the list of things in the garden).  It rivaled bilberry juice!

After dinner we took care of various business and I started to learn where all the dishes go . . .  It’s hard being unhelpful when you’re trying to be helpful, but once I’m past the clueless point I’ll be able to help around the house.  I made myself finish unpacking and make my room decent AND write up the adventures so now it is nearly 9pm and most certainly time for a well deserved rest!  Thanks for your prayers, though I have no idea when you’ll actually read this since I have no internet on this computer . . .