In the airport, I had a unique choice. As a result of Euroairport's unique geography, I had the option of going left to enter France or going right to enter Switzerland.
After going right and taking a bus to the main station, I did my usual, wandering around the city with no aim or purpose except to just take pictures, hear people speak, and join in when the opportunities present themselves (aka buying or sampling things). Immediately after hearing the local dialect, I thought of a family friend, Annemarie, who comes from Switzerland.
After about 5 hours, it became time for me to find my way to the stadium to pick up my start numbers for the Basel Half. However, since I don't have a printer in my room, I had scribbled down the times and location on a memo pad. Bad idea: like the son of a doctor, I couldn't read my handwriting. Searching the map of Basel for anything that resembled my jibberish, I was about to search for an internet cafe when a 50 year old man or so spotted me and came over to talk. We stood there and he told me proudly about his city and about his Friday routine (and that of many locals): after work on Friday, go to the bar for a couple of hours. Then go home, eat dinner, put on their best, and go out to the clubs. For having fun, he seemed rather punctual about it all! He even gave me his phone number if I wanted to join him, adding that his invitation only lasted on Friday because he had plans for Saturday!
Using the directions that he had given me, I found my way, grabbed my kit, and made it to Viky and Patrick's house. We had dinner together, and then they for a church planning function. When their son Stephan came home, I sat with him as he ate. Choosing my favorite topics (not) of Iraq and Afghanistan (drilled alot over here), he asked me alot of questions. He was surprised to hear that American soldiers could be Christians and that we were volunteers. Its interesting to observe European preceptions of America(ns).
On Saturday morning, they dropped me off at the race as they drove across the border to Germany to shop (cheaper). A Swiss engineer and I became friends at the start and ended up finishing together, sprinting against one another at the end. We talked after the race with his girlfriend who also ran. They were honored to see that my backpack was Victorinox!
I went back to Vicky, Patrick's, and Stephans house where I collapsed into a mid-afternoon nap (something I don't ever really do, especially when I am in a foreign country), but the run had drained me. After my slumber, we ate wonderful Swiss fondue and then went out to Basel for the Fall Fair where we rode Theme Park rides that covered the city and talked lightheartedly about things other than war and politics!
No comments:
Post a Comment