IrishOboe

The best birthday present I get for the big 25 is a visit from two of the most lovely people in my life: Mom and Dad!  The only thing foolish on this April 1^st was that one suitcase got stuck in Miami due to delays and short connections.  Hopefully we’ll recover it tomorrow.  In the meantime, I worked them hard in an attempt to adjust their body clocks to Swiss time.  We had a light lunch of cheese, bread, fruit, and Baseler Läckerli, then walked around the old city and went to the history museum in Barfüsser Church.  It was really lovely and we didn’t get to finish everything.  Dad was very happy with their coin collection, and I even enjoyed it as well.  There were lots of really interesting items, and I’m glad I finally had time to relax and enjoy them.  It’s much more fun to explore the city and be a tourist when you have someone with you.  When I’m alone its easier to think only of all the work I want to get done.

After the museum closed we walked around the city some more and enjoyed a lovely dinner at Zum Alten Stöckli upon Stephan’s recommendation for the best rötsti in town.  We all agreed the best dish of the night was indeed the rötsti.  Thanks, Stephan!  This is Stephan from church, btw, not the Stephan whose house I’m living in.  For clarity’s sake (and for those who care) it makes sense to add a last initial, but Stephan S. from church comments at Stephan, so I will refer to him that way and I will call the Stephan I stay with Stephan A.  Let’s practice.  Stephan recommended a restaurant with great food and charming atmosphere that my parents loved.  Stephan A. lent my dad sleeping wear while he waits for his luggage to arrive.  They’re tied at 1-1.  Stephan A. is letting my parents sleep in his home for six days.  No contest.

Alright, alright, I’ll stop trying to be funny and let my parents get some much deserved rest.  Be proud of me.  Last time my parents visited me in a foreign country I stopped writing to my blog because I mostly wrote because I knew Mom would bug me if I didn’t.  My poor sister went crazy from the resounding silence coming from not only my blog, but Mom’s also!  This time I’m so excited to have a devoted band of readers and commenters that for you I’m inspired to keep the updates coming through their visit.  Here’s a heartfelt thanks to all of you reading, and here’s a special thanks to everyone who comments!

And now for some pictures.  Note that the preview shown is not the dimension of the picture.  Click on the preview to view the whole picture.

Mom and Dad at the Schola Cantorum 

 Dad and me with the original Rathaus statute

 Mom and Dad at the Rathaus courtyard

Mom and I with a guy playing Shawm!!

Mom and Dad and the Spalentor