Adventures in traveling 4,000 miles with a bike...

For those of you that haven't heard about the adventures buying my bike...here goes

Locally a regular road bike (on average) costs around 1,000 Sfr ($860). So I got the brilliant idea that I would buy one during my last trip to the U.S. (in New York). So that was pretty easy. The bike shop shipped it to my hotel in Philly (where I was ending up for business) and I was able to take it at no extra charge on the plane with me. The bike was broken down into a bike box, I checked it at the airport in Philly (watched them put it on the belt). So me, my two suitcases, and the bike box all got on to the British Airways flight and flung across the ocean (or so I thought). Upon arriving in Basel (having made a pit stop at Heathrow - total nightmare) two suitcases (yea me!) and no bike! It's difficult to even get pissed off anymore (although I wasn't saying that when my suitcase didn't come on my flight on the way out, but rather at 4.30 a.m. the next morning!). File the paperwork with the lost luggage department in Basel and as usual they can't figure if it's still in Philly or at Heathrow (due to being checked by US transportation authority or at Heathrow). Bike arrives that evening, but trying to get it through customs they deem it "new" which means I have to go out to the airport to pick it up and pass it through customs and pay the tax. But according to the guy that e-mailed me British Airways would reimburse me for the return taxi to the airport (yea right!). A friend came with me for the adventure but neither of us could figure out how to get "back behind" passport control. Finally figured it out, we grabbed the box and guess what...there was NO ONE AT CUSTOMS! Apparently it's only staffed when a flight comes in. My friend Hilary and I were like Lucy & Ethel dragging the bike box. It was hilarious!

Fast forward a week when I was finally able to deal with having the bike put together. Now it's not that easy to do things in Basel. I couldn't find a bike shop online in my neighborhood and remembered one being on the tram line I take several times per week. Drag the bike on the tram and get to the spot only to find out that it was a seasonal place!! Argh. So I'm standing on the street with the bike in a box text messaging anyone who might listen to find a place to drop the bike. Finally heard back from a friend, dragged the box on the tram (again!) and couldn't find the place. Almost gave up...got back on the tram and saw it as we were riding past. Finally dragged the box to the shop and thank goodness they spoke English and were able to help me, albeit quite expensive. That's always the case whenever someone engages their hands here in Switzerland!

Picked out a basket for the back of the bike and tossed the brand new lock in the bike to keep everything together. Bike took a few days to assemble. Picked it up and realized that they had thrown away the instructions to set the bike lock!! Never ending saga of the "economical" bike from NY! Found part of the instructions online, called for the rest...and three weeks later all is good and tomorrow I will ride to work!

This is totally an "Erica" moment!


Stay tuned for the next post on off-site (work) meeting!

Doing it Basel Style...

It is 7.45 a.m. and I've been sitting here for 45 minutes listening to three guys put together my new closet (yes that's correct they arrived at 7 a.m. - nothing here happens AFTER regular working hours). Now when I say closet, I mean, basically a work of art for my clothes. For those you not familiar with the quaint way of building in Europe, you don't get closets in apartments (maybe houses if you put them in from the ground up, but not apartments). The upside is that you can pretty much put your bed anywhere. The downside is finding ones for a reasonable price that you can actually live with is next to impossible. Then you think, ok how long will I actually be here and do I need something than cost more than my first car? The how long will I actually be here is what I said when I moved to DC and that turned into almost eight years. So alas, it's what I work hard for, right? (photos to come). Oh and I went down to check on the progress, and the lead guy told me that it was damaged and someone would have to come back and replace one of the panels. At home I probably would have been fuming, here it's just not worth it since they don't give a sh+t about customer service no matter how much money you fork over. Hopefully there won't be any other damage (including walls and floors).

I was just in Barcelona for the first time on business, although we managed to squeeze in a little fun. To those of you who are aware of NYC traffic, Barcelona is WORSE. I didn't think it was possible. It's worse than NYC and it's worse than the beltway in DC. Yes worse. But the architecture is gorgeous so it made up for it the first few times I sat in a cab and moved an inch every 10 minutes. After that it just got tiresome. Also, being away from home for a week, living in a hotel, eating hotel food (although the restaurants were fantastic!), etc. does get exhausting. I actually found myself saying by day five that I couldn't wait to get home and I meant Basel (yikes!). Will post photos when I'm not half asleep. zzzzzzzzzzz

Back in the USS...A

It's unreal that it's been over a month since I've last updated, but it's just been too damn busy! Work has been insane, but in a good way. I had a fantastic mid-year review (everyone has to go through regardless of how long you've been with the company). My boss (who is French) said that I make her laugh (can't be a bad thing as long as she's laughing with me, rather than at me, right?), which makes me feel good. As the resident American on a team of almost 80 people from several different departments, I tend to provide the comic relief, although not all nationalities "get me". Come to think of it, not all Americans "get me" either. Ah well. No one else I can be, but ME.

In the last month I moved into my apartment (fell down my stairs the first morning, but other than having a bruised tail bone (and ego) all is ok). I'm still getting used to things like the total lack of customer service. I went for lunch with a former colleague yesterday and he summed up Switzerland quite appropriately and frankly words that I have been looking for since I arrived. Switzerland is precise, but inefficient. The minute he said it, I was like "yes that's it!" Transportation is on time and people adhere to the letter of the law, but nothing runs efficiently. Customer service is non-existent. Did I say that already? :) I have had an ongoing saga with my cable / cable box, but I won't drone on about that. The good news is that there is an underground handyman network filled with UK expats that are fantastic and pretty reasonable. I've had lots of Ikea furniture put together and lighting installed (yes people even strip the lights out when they move). I'm still trying to learn German, but the language itself is not easy, tossing in that the lessons are during the day twice a week (and I usually have to cancel as least one due to work load) and the fact that I'm tired at night and would rather be seeing friends etc than studying. Plus in the end, it's just an ugly language! But I'm trying...

BUT I'm in NYC on vacation. Arrived on Friday, August 17, so I've been here a week already and can't believe it's gone by so quickly (I guess the fun parts of life always do). And for any of you wondering, no I haven't called, e-mailed, or text messaged him (so no worries because I'm done). I've gotten questions like are you going to museums, plays, etc etc. I've seen a few plays and I can highly recommend www.myfirstimetheplay.com for those of you in the NYC area or planning to visit here. It's hilarious and they actually read an excerpt from what I submitted, although they keep it anonymous. My friend Susan and I laughed hysterically. If you don't know what the play is about visit www.myfirstime.com for more information. It's been around since 1996 and it's awesome!

I did some online shopping before I came home and had everything delivered to my parent's place and I've done more since I've been here. Been staring at this HUGE pile of stuff trying to figure out how I'm going to fit it all into my second (empty) suitcase. I think I might be leaving a couple of things behind for my trip in November. Although I might be coming home in October for business which will allow me to spend a few days on the side.

So I'm sitting here typing with my large, decaf, iced coffee from Fourbucks. In Basel you're paying over 10 Sfr for a non-fat muffin and the same drink. I've been on a bit of a food jaunt, since as everyone has heard a million times, good food in Basel comes few and far between!! Nothing has any flavor and everything is drowned in sauce, oh and don't forget the mystery meat! Plus, I'm in heaven because I can get the "make your own salad" on almost every street corner here. I can't get enough of the fresh salad!

I've seen 2 Days in Paris (with Adam Goldberg & Julie Delpy), Bourne Ultimatum (Matt Damon), and The Nanny Diaries (Scarlett Johanssen & Laura Linney - very good but a bit disturbing that people actually have kids as accessories). Went to a fundraiser at Chuck Scarborough's house (a regular broadcaster in NYC on NBC for years) and we all thought the same thing...this guy makes a gazillion dollars a year and just reads off an idiot prompter??? He's not even a journalist!? Ah well in any case, they raised a lot of money for a very good cause. I will post a photo of my silent auction purchase in the near future. Went to a friend of the family's daughter's engagement party. Have seen friends, family, etc.

Tomorrow I go for a day of pampering and seeing more friends. And then Sunday I see Avenue Q since I've never seen it and then Monday night I go back to Basel for several weeks of craziness preparing for upcoming meetings.

Oh everyone in the City is talking about how Sex and the City starts taping here next month. Rumor has it they will be filming Carrie and John's (aka Big) wedding at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It's supposed to open next summer, so I will see it at home in NYC for sure!

I didn't realize how much I missed home until I was here for a few days. NYC is similar to my favorite pillow and my bed. I feel so comfortable here. Some people need a beach and to do nothing for a week to relax, for me it's the intensity of the City that does it. I feel centered and "right" again.

You've seen one...

European city, it starts to feel like you've seen them all. I spent the weekend in Stuttgart (Germany) with a friend (it has about 150,000 more peeps than Basel) and maybe because Basel has such a huge German influence, both areas look pretty much the same.

I love the adventure that I'm on, but I think I'm ready for some new scenery when I travel.

Oh and it's HOT here. It's not that humid, but the sun is blazing! Today it was probably around 100+ in the sun and ummm...errrr....remember, no a/c! But in the end, my apartment stays fairly cool thanks to the amazing building materials and external window shades. One more day (tomorrow) and it's supposed to go back to a balmy 70 during the day. I move two weeks from tomorrow and have I mentioned that I'm THRILLED to have my stuff, especially my bed. I'm planning to sleep ALL day on August 1 (Swiss national day).

Off to London Wednesday night for biz Thursday / Friday and then spending the weekend. It's my SECOND favorite city!

Potentially going to Kuala Lumpur and Korea next month. Coming home August 17 to 27, then Milan, Paris, and Barcelona in September and various off-site team meetings in fun locations after that. Then home for Thanksgiving late November. I can't believe we're only in mid-summer and I feel as though the year is quickly coming to December!

Miss everyone a lot.

The Lake

Went to Lake Lucerne http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Lucerne (actually Mt Rigi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt_Rigi) today and it was spectacular. It was one of those trips that takes your breath away. On the way there you take the train from Basel and then switch to another train and then that train gets you a boat that takes you for an hour across Lake Lucerne which is absolutely gorgeous and then you take the oldest cogwheel train in Europe up the side of a mountain (Mt. Rigi). It was absolutely amazing. It's about 6,000 feet above sea level and it took my breath away. On the boat I was actually able to catch my first rays given how amazingly random the weather has been. I was talking to our franchise director (the big boss) the other day and I said when I interviewed they told me that summer in Switzerland was lovely and without missing a beat he told me that's just what we tell you in the interview. Cute, huh?

Now I'm home with a friend watching Live Earth. Boy is our planet f*cked up. Everything from global warming to global genocide. Is it possible to stop it all? And watching Giant Stadium makes me home sick! But in the end is flying singers / actors around the world and using trillions of watts of electricity for these shows the correct way to do it? Not sure...

Off to Stuttgart next weekend to visit a friend, then to London the following weekend, then moving the weekend after that. Can't WAIT to see my bed! August 1 is Swiss independence day and I'll either be sleeping all day in my bed, or sneaking in fireworks somewhere...heck I might go nuts and do both.








Even though I'm not a huge fan of Starbucks coffee (too bitter). A Jewish boy from Brooklyn getting everyone to pay $4 bucks for a coffee (almost not matter where you go; there are now more Starbucks coffee shops in London than NYC if you can believe it)...as the VISA commercial says...PRICELESS!

Fireworks and hot dogs...oh my

As I'm getting ready to go to work this July 4, I'm having fireworks withdrawal! Yes, I admit it, I'm like a little kid when it comes to fireworks. The bigger and louder the better. I still think they are ridiculously romantic. The ooohs and aahhs...not like the kind a a baby shower over a diaper genie, but try wonder.

Seventeen years ago, when I was 12 of course, a man I thought I would marry told me he loved me sitting on a blanket watching fireworks. When I was seven (in 1976) we celebrated the bicentennial sitting on the tip of the City down in what's now Battery Park. The sky lit up like daytime at the end of the 1812 overture when the canons go off. Then four years ago when NYC officially went non-smoking, I was at Waterside and literally standing under the Macy's fireworks, with a good friend, her then boyfriend, and a guy that I was instantly interested in, which made it all that much more exciting. If anyone knows about the Macy's fireworks, in order to see it from Waterside you need to be on a special list to get in because of the tight security.

Fireworks on July 4th always make me feel good. But alas, Switzerland obviously doesn't celebrate U.S. Independence Day! :) Some of my Americans colleagues will eat together in the cafeteria and pretend the mystery meat is a hot dog...

Make way for yet another condo building

Where have all the good ones gone. First Stanley Bard, now the Copa...

I can remember being a hangerarounder outside the Chelsea in high school when my friends and I would sneak into the City from CT just to see who might be staying. We saw Drew Barrymore as a chubby (albeit stoned) little 9-year old.

Stanley Bard Ousted From Chelsea Hotel

Photo: Living With Legends

The legendary Chelsea Hotel has seen all kinds of unpleasantness over the course of its history, but never, to the best of our knowledge, a coup. Living With Legends, an insider blog written by an occupant, breaks the news that the hotel's managing partner, Stanley Bard, is being pushed out by its board of directors. Bard's part in shaping the Chelsea Hotel myth is hard to overstate: He has lorded it over the grand brick heap since back when Leonard Cohen canoodled there with Janis Joplin. Adding to the uncertainty about the hotel's future is the fact that its ownership structure is a bit of a secret: It was originally split by three families, but Bard's is the only one that still manages it hands-on; the other two are represented by a board. Now, at that board's bidding, an "unnamed management company" will take over Stanley's day-to-day duties, and we do not like the sound of that one bit. Which comes first, you think: the condo conversion or the "Chelsea Hotel West" in Vegas?

UPDATE: Rubenstein emails with news on the new managers, Richard Born and Ira Drukler, who are apparently "two of New York City’s most successful and acclaimed hoteliers." Stanley Bard will still be involved in management, the announcement says. Full press release after the jump.

Board-Directed Coup Topples Chelsea Hotel’s Famed Manager Stanley Bard [Living With Legends]

For Immediate Release

BD HOTELS TAPPED TO MANAGE LEGENDARY CHELSEA HOTEL
Landmark Hotel to Be Preserved, Restored and Reinvigorated

NEW YORK, June 18, 2007 – The Board of Directors of the renowned Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan today announced that it has entered into a management agreement with BD Hotels NY, LLC. Led by Richard Born and Ira Drukier, two of New York City’s most successful and acclaimed hoteliers, BD Hotels has been retained to better preserve, restore and reinvigorate the Chelsea Hotel.

“For many, the Chelsea Hotel is one of New York City’s most cherished and legendary landmarks,” said Marlene Krauss, M.D., a Board member and the daughter of Julius Krauss, who purchased the hotel in 1945 along with his partners David Bard and Joseph Gross. “We are excited to be working with the BD Hotel team in restoring and rejuvenating the Chelsea. After conducting an extensive search, we are convinced that there is no one better suited to the dual challenge of pursuing an ongoing modernization while at the same time ensuring that the hotel’s historic charm and character is both preserved and enhanced.”

BD Hotel’s responsibilities as part of its initial three-year management agreement will include managing the Chelsea Hotel’s day-to-day operations, budgeting and accounting, long-term planning, developing and implementing a coordinated renovation plan, and overseeing the street-front retail program.

BD Hotels will work with The Chelsea Hotel to improve customer service and amenities; create more inviting and livelier common areas; continue to modernize the hotel’s major mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and better activate the Chelsea Hotels historic spaces.

“We are honored by the opportunity to burnish and build upon The Chelsea Hotel’s unique artistic presence. Given its fabled past and unique status, the Chelsea Hotel can once again become a crown jewel of New York City,” said Mr. Drukier.

Long-time Chelsea Hotel manager Stanley Bard, who has been a fixture at the Chelsea for more than 50 years, is expected to have a role at the hotel as will his son David Bard, who also is a member of the Board of Directors.

The 12-story, 250 room Chelsea Hotel was originally built in 1883 as Manhattan’s first cooperative apartment. It was the tallest building in New York until 1902. Located at 222 West 23rd Street, it was converted into a hotel and residence in 1905. The landmarked hotel is recognized as an American cultural icon and is renowned for the artists, writers and musicians who have lived and created art there, including Sir Arthur Clarke; Leonard Cohen; Bob Dylan; Stanley Kubrick; Arthur Miller; Joni Mitchell; Dee Dee Ramone; Larry Rivers; Dylan Thomas; Mark Twain, and Tennessee Williams.

Sick in Basel

Ok I've been sick since Tuesday and now it's a full blown cold. I'm desperate for my own bed, matzah ball soup, and crappy (American) TV. And before you e-mail me and ask if I've been to the doctor, the answer is no, since there is nothing a doctor can do for a viral infection. You basically just have to feed a cold and starve a fever, but I definitely don't have a fever so...

I went out for a little while today to look at the following items which I need to buy for my new apartment since it's like buying a place!

- Fridge (the one in the purple kitchen is only a 1/2 fridge, so I'm buying a full size)
- Iron
- Blender
- (2) TVs (flat screen please - if you have any recommendations I'm leaning towards the Sony Bravia)
- Wardrobes (yes it's Europe and they don't do built in closests for the most part)
- Another bed (Ikea here I come)
- Light fixtures (there are literally wires hanging from the ceiling since light fixtures aren't part of what you get when you move in!)
- DVD player
- Stereo (since my one from home won't work here)
- Vacuum
- Microwave
- Hand mixer
- Lamps (I have to have the three I own changed over)
- ???

It's exhausting thinking about it! But think of the fun shopping I get to do (I get CHF for relocation for just these types of things and the more I get used from those moving back to the states, the more money I get to bank!)

I'll be home in August for 10 days.

Things that make me happy

1) Cotton PJ bottoms, with a tank top and fleece socks
2) Anything Elmo
3) Anything emperor penguin (gotta love my Waddle) the daddies take care of the eggs / babies while the mommies go for food in the Winter
4) Sapphire and tonic with two limes on a Spring night
5) The smell of gardenias in there air here in Basel
6) Children playing outside and the laughter that comes along with it
7) A good red wine
8) Passionate kisses
9) NYC after a winter storm
10) Central Park in the Fall or Winter
11) Meg Ryan (before the restylin) and Tom Hanks in just about any movie together
12) Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally (the last scene of the movie where Harry tears through the streets of NYC realizing what a fool he's been and wanting to tell Sally how much he loves her - sometimes it's better to give in when we find someone that just "gets us")
13) The feeling I get when I arrive at an airport passport in hand having booked a trip just two days earlier
14) Waking up to a foot of new snow overnight at a ski resort
15) Apre ski
16) Sitting on a beach in the Fall watching the sunset
17) Watching the sunrise after making love
18) Unexpected gifts or money
19) Volunteering or donating money
20) A job well done with or without praise
21) Seeing a friend that I haven't seen in a long time
22) Handwritten letter in the mail (nice to get something other than bills)
23) Internet / e-mail / text message is great, but nothing replaces a long telephone call
24) First kisses
25) A surprise ending to a movie
26) A movie that makes me laugh so hard I cry
27) My pillow, blankets, and bed
28) Music in my iPod that makes up the soundtrack of my life
29) Swiss chocolate with or without nuts
30) Coke slurpees from 7-11
31) Falling in love
32) Elton John songs from the early 70s
33) Sympathy for the Devil (Stones)
34) Let it Be (Beatles)
35) Forever Young (Dylan)
36) Skinny dipping
37) New York Superfudge Chunk or Phish Food Ben & Jerry's
38) General Hospital
39) Any episode of Sex and the City (and now the movie; I must see it in NYC with family / friends!)
40) fresh sheets
41) The way I feel after being adjusted
42) My crazy grandmother - I love her for how crazy she makes me and for how she accepts me for who I am
43) Flying into NYC on a clear night and being able to see the whole place - I never get tired of this
44) Going somewhere for the first time
45) The feeling I get before meeting up with someone I care about

The Girls

I bought the Sex and the City box set for myself as a birthday present this year and the "girls" have been keeping me company given the crap TV that I don't understand here (movie starts filming in the City mid-September and I can't frickin' wait!). I've probably seen every episode 100 times, but it never gets old!

In season two episode four, Miranda buys her own (first) co-op as a single woman. Every form she fills out she has to check the "single" box. Carrie says in the voice over, "Miranda checked more single female boxes that a gynecologist in NYC". I have missed that every time I've seen this episode. I was watching while eating dinner and nearly choked on my rice pilaf!

The City as a lover

Today was a gorgeous day in Basel. It didn't start out that way, but turned into it. A friend and I took a tram and bus to Ikea which is a big outing here. I know what you're thinking, the last time I was at Ikea (or somewhere Ikea like) I was setting up my first apartment about 15 years ago. But as they say "when in Rome". All of the ex-pats here buy stuff for their flats at Ikea, especially since there is no such thing as a built in closet here, so you have to buy wardrobes. Plus I will have a second bedroom in the new apartment. I will see it again on Monday and then (hopefully) sign the lease.

It's about two blocks from where I live now. It's in a very multicultural up and coming area, although also considered to be the "upscale" part of town. It's right near a really nice part, decent restaurants, grocery stores, etc.

It's been a nice weekend so far. This past week was wrought with jet lag and deeply missing NYC and people left behind, special people left behind. And this week is going to be insane with the potential for two approvals, one issue, and a partridge in a pear tree. Then I got to thinking about the City even more as I stared at the numerous photos I have around the apartment (I brought a piece of NYC over in my air shipment) it made me think about how NYC is like an intensely passionate lover. It can provide some of the greatest moments of your life and then break your heart in a million ways (over and over again), but you would never have it any other way.

Incidentally it doesn't get dark here in Basel until about 9.30 at night which is pretty neat. I remember the first time I was in Edmonton (an hour and a half north of Saskatchewan(sp?) and I was at the hotel and looked at the clock and it was 10.30 and the sun was just setting. I had to call the front desk to make sure it was really 10.30.

Raining again

Sitting in my living room with all of the doors and windows open watching the summer rain fall. The neat thing is that the rain doesn't come in so the windows can stay open. Additionally, as much as you all know I LOVE a/c, since most homes don't have it there is less pollution and therefore the air is cooler. In any case we don't get the kind of humidity here as we do back home which is a god-send. BUT when it was muggy at the office like today, there is nothing like a/c and they don't have it at work like we do in the U.S. Well in any case I digress.

Back at work today after two weeks out of the office, albeit one of the weeks was work, but it was OUT of the office which always makes a difference. Plus, doing large scale medical meetings like ASCO in Chicago gives the opportunities for teams to bond, ok ok, drink every night, but also come together as a cohesive team and really appreciate one each others skills. Did I mention I work in PR? :)

So alas, back to work and it was difficult to keep my mind engaged in documents, expense reports (F*$##$ing hate those things), meetings, etc. We have one meeting each month kind of like a homeroom type thing for all of the comms people based at headquarters and you literally want to take a pen and stab yourself in the carotid artery, which I know how do oddly enough from the days of working in the ER. Well actually there is one person that you want to stab in the carotid, but it wouldn't be worth the prison time so the next best thing is yourself. I swear if this meeting doesn't break me of the eyeball rolling habit I don't know what will. And my boss was dealing with a flight delay so I was all by my lonesome. Luckily she has even less patience than I do, yea yea, so two peas in a pod we are when it comes to "political correctness".

My thoughts today seemed to be left back in NY. Tomorrow I go looking at apartments for a more permanent residence, ayep you'll be updating address books one more time for good measure during my stay in Basel. So alas, I will be committing to at least a year here unless of course something or someone fabulous pries me away back to NY!

Peanut butter & Jelly

A scene from St. Elmo's fire comes to mind when Wendy (Mare Winningham) says to Billy (Rob Lowe) - her emotional nemesis up to that point in the movie. "Last night I went into the kitchen and made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and it was my kitchen and my peanut butter and jelly and it was the BEST peanut butter and jelly sandwich I've ever had."

That said, I went grocery shopping at home in NYC. Yes grocery shopping (filled up a big old 24" suitcase), now before you roll your eyeballs at the sheer lunacy (would you expect anything less than that from me??) of it all, there are just certain things you can't get here! I don't eat peanut butter often, but when I do like tonite (I'm exhausted from traveling), I want my Skippy!

I haven't posted in quite some time. I've been back in the States for business and fun. Was in Chicago for about a week at a major medical (oncology) meeting. We announced quite a bit of data and I ran around like a headless chicken (ok and had a little fun at night after all it's Chi-town!) for most of the week. Was able to get some shopping in. I thought for sure that it would be around 100 degrees each day because that's what it's usually like whenever I'm there, but it was really only the first day. The rest were reasonable (although bogged down in allergies), and most afternoons we got a bout of rain, but otherwise absolutely a city I could see myself living in one day down the road. The architecture is amazing and they've even built lofts and brownstones near the congress center. And if I continue in this position down the road, I will go back to Chicago for ASCO for the next several years since they made a deal with the convention center!

When I landed in Chicago I immediately got out my trusty old U.S.-based Verizon (that doesn't work overseas) mobile phone and started text messaging friends. Sent messages to all of the important people in my life and everyone reacted so funny. People were so confused at getting a text message from my 301 phone.

But what I was truly excited about was going home to NYC. It didn't matter that I was up until 3.30 a.m. with friends at work partying leading up to my flight, I made the 9.30 from Chicago to LGA with bells on. I never ask for a window seat, but I did for this trip and when we circled the City I think my heart skipped a beat. I didn't realize just how much I missed home. Momentary hiccup in finding car service since there is ZERO organization at LGA! There were buses picking up full tour groups taking up all lanes and not allowing any cabs, cars, or limos out of the airport!

Driving into the City I just felt "right". Not sure how to articulate it, but just "right". I felt "right", I was home. You can all blame a close friend that lives in Germany for my text message addiction. He got me started on it about five years ago. Another friend calls me a little Japanese school girl since they all do it over there. As a matter of fact the U.S. is the last bastion of antiquated mobile phone users.

Did exactly what I wanted for the afternoon. Watched Sopranos on demand and then went out for sushi (my favorite Japonica in the East Village) with my parents. God it was good! The rest of the week was followed by shopping, more family, friends, movies, and spending time with special people in my life. I can't imagine having moved to Europe 20 or 30 years ago because people were truly cut off from their family, friends, home life etc., although the Internet is fantastic and makes life livable, it doesn't take the place of face-to-face contact.

With the exception of any last minute long weekend trips in Europe, it looks like I'll be staying put until towards the end of August when I'll come home again (and then again around Thanksgiving for my (gulp) 20-year high school reunion!). But I'm also aiming to move for August 1 so it won't be dull by any means. BUT I would love to have visitors. And yes you can come back again for skiing / boarding in the winter! It will be good to put some kind of routine into place and I start Pilates on Tuesday which I'm very excited about!

This trip home really cemented for me that I actually live in Europe. I've wanted to do this for so long and sometimes it seems very surreal. It's like how do you know you want to do something that you've never done before?

I accomplished a huge goal, like graduating from college, starting a business...something along those lines. It took going home to NYC for me to realize how huge this adventure really is, which seems weird, but as long as it remains an adventure or someone gives me a reason to come back, this is where I will remain at least until next August around the time my first lease runs out.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by!

Country roads

I've been in Basel for six weeks, which is entirely difficult to digest! Last night I had dinner with a friend at my favorite Italian restaurant on the Rhine (which is about five minutes from my house - 10 if I walk). It was a bit warm during the day and then dropped into the upper 60s and sitting there watching the sunset was spectacular (ok so the guys walking by weren't bad either).

And it's May 27 and it was only in the low 60s today. Of course I didn't go out all day and barely made it of my PJs, but it was entirely necessary. We have a long weekend (Monday) off and then I will be in for one day preparing for being out for almost two weeks. Off to Chicago on Wednesday for a major world-wide medical meeting and then home to NYC.

I absolutely can't wait to come home. I'm not exactly homesick, but I miss the conveniences. It's not like Switzerland is a third-world country, but just simple things like online banking, getting mail (because it's all in German), or going to the grocery store can be, simply put, mentally draining. Also, they have a lot of graffiti here and I can't figure out why they don't do anything to get rid of it since they're SO particular about appearances, garbage, recycling, etc. Even in the upscale areas of the city, which I apparently live in, there is a lot of graffiti. It looks awful and REALLY bugs me!

I can't wait for

*ice
* seeing my family (I still think the ice comes first)
*movies (most of the movies are in English, but the German / French subtitles get annoying)
* surfing channels on TV (understanding the language)
* Raisin Bran
* Scott toilet paper
* 60s exhibit at the Whitney
* marathon of the final season of Sopranos on HBO on demand
* air conditioning (not that I've really needed it here, but even though we have it at work it's
not nearly like the U.S. and it gets REALLy stuff)
* noise and grime!

Other than that I really like it here. I still get caught with moments that give me pause that I live in Europe now. Plus, I still wonder where my mail is in the scheme of the universe. Every few days I receive something forwarded, but I know that I'm still missing a ton of stuff and can't quite figure it out.

At work it's pretty funny. Everyone walks around on a daily basis saying, "yea I'm planning to do that after ASCO" (our big upcoming meeting). After ASCO I am planning to join a gym, sign up for German tutoring, find a guitar teacher, and plan some personal trips. Everyone says it will take at least six months to feel settled and I guess since I won't move into a permanent place for at least another two months, that sounds about right. I got an e-mail this past Wednesday that my sea shipment arrived. It only took about 32 days for it to arrive which was shocking! I really want to bank my three months salary, but just the very thought of my "stuff" (including the bed that I'm absolutely mad about) being here in Basel somewhere, makes me want to sign a lease tomorrow! But I want to take my time and feel right about where I'm going to live because leases are pretty much at least for a year or more.

Plus I've internally committed to at least that to really feel like I've had the European experience. Considering a year or even three flies by in a blink of an eye.

So my motto is as long as it remains an adventure, I guess I will stay! I would really love to have visitors!

Tired

Tired


Tired


Tired

Excited to be in NYC from June 5 to 9! Can't wait to lay on couch and watch Sopranos on Demand!

8.00 p.m. and I'm ready for bed

Thursday, May 17
4.30 a.m. up for 6.45 a.m. flight to London to meet with PR agency (working on a national holiday; spent all day with agency having them present to me

4.00 p.m. check into Sofitel on St. James; the only way the room could be further from the elevator is if I'd been at the hotel across the street; but the room was nice and the bathroom posh (huge sucken tub); took lovely shower and even lovelier bath (being 5'6" it's very difficult to stretch out in the bath without a knee popping up and getting cold - wasn't an issue with this bath); watched TV in English!

6.00 p.m. wandered around Trafalgar Square area enjoying the children chasing pigeons (aka flying rats); amazed that people actually let them land on their body to feed them bread crumbs

7.30 p.m. dinner out with PR agency (really enjoy their company); check out restaurant, would definitely go back again, fantastic seafood which is tough to get in Switzerland (they called me three times to see what I'd like to have for dinner!)
http://www.j-sheekey.co.uk/

10.30 p.m. three hours, three courses, one Bombay Sapphire and tonic, one bottle of very good Champagne, and two bottles of wine later...very tired and a little drunk thanks to the agency

Friday, May 18
6.15 a.m. on the Eurostar off to Paris for a physician media brush-up (docs hate the term "media training" even though that's typically what it is)

12.15 p.m. arrive in Paris main train station, hit Metro and head to hospital

1.00 p.m. arrive at top European cancer hospital just on the outskirts of Paris, note to self, do NOT get sick in Europe; there is nothing like a freezing cold American hospital

4.15 p.m. on the way into Paris to meet friend from work for weekend in town

5.30 p.m. exhausted but exhilarated to be in Paris; I was provided with a list of sights to see in Paris, but friend and I could not read the map to save our lives, you'd think two highly educated, sophisticated, well-traveled women could find one small street in a metropolitan city; we had fun trying to find it, got stuck in the rain, ate runny eggs with French fries and in the end were on a mission to find the street; had coffee on said street (yes coffee); EVERYONE does "coffee" in Europe and at 38 I would really hate to take up drinking it; but people look at you as though you have a third eye when you turn down coffee or tea several times a day and NO ONE can believe that I don't drink either (to wake up) in the morning

11.00 p.m. time for sleep; twin bed (haven't done this since Cleveland before old boyfriend got large bed during residency!); poor friend couldn't sleep

Saturday, May 19
8.30 a.m. up with the roosters as usual! I could not sleep anymore and decided to shower and go in search of breakfast and a proper pedicure (can't find a shop in Basel that will do a proper foot fixing); success proper pedicure = happy feet

11.30 a.m. so in search of shopping off of the Champs; friend buys most expensive loaf of bread shaped like Eiffel Tower for boyfriend

2.30 p.m. eat lunch at popular Gallerie de Lafeyette (YUMMERS); bathroom pit stop and gawking at clothes and gourmet food (damn EURO exchange rate)

3.00 p.m. hit stores, friend does some good shopping; I opt to get my hair washed and blown as the hotel made me feel as though said hair had not been washed in weeks; came out a little flat because she didn't use product, BUT was soft and styled very nicely; will try to do it on my own

4.30 p.m. walk to Tuileries from mall; sit and have crazy coffee with huge whipped cream although neither of thought it was what I ordered; watched kids run around, enjoyed the fountain for a little while

5.30 p.m. WH White bookstore means English! surprisingly several posters and exhibitions on the street were in both French and English (maybe the tides are finally changing; and oddly enough they were more English friendly than Basel); spent close to $40USD on basic magazines that I miss (again love that exchange rate!)

7.00 p.m. back to hotel for a little rest; look through loot; change clothes

8.15 p.m. dinner in a bistro near the hotel; didn't have high expectations but since concierge was shamelessly flirting with me couldn't let him down; the price was absolutely right (3 courses including bottle of wine and pre-dinner Kir royale for 34 Euro (pp) and mind you tip optional); again waiter spent most of meal flirting shamelessly, maybe blondes do have more fun?

11.00 p.m. exhausted from days on end of work and walking around city; back to room watching some TV and video iPod (love it) until about 12.15 a.m. and then off to sleep; tossed and turned most of night

Sunday, May 20
6.30 a.m. up for early morning flight home; friend makes packing clothes for two-day trip into art form and then unbelievably got everything she'd bought stuffed into suitcase as well; that is true talent! :)

7.45 a.m. on bus to airport; decide to get out video iPod to finish watching movie; remember left iPod safely on desk in hotel room to remember to put it in my purse; lose shit all over friend sitting next me "what a loser I am" etc.; call hotel and housekeeping actually found it; felt bad for freaking on friend, but I guess being a pessimistic city dweller and never having anything found upon leaving it at a hotel, I was a naysayer...but she must have been good luck; iPod gift from parents for birthday before I left for Switzerland (almost in tears when realized that I didn't have it); have to e-mail hotel to request shipping and provide credit card information; phew!

8.30 a.m. De Gaulle airport (as in it's a galle that this airport evening exists!); couldn't print my bording pass on check-in kiosk; couldn't find said check-in kiosk worker; went to Air France counter (they only do information merci!); have to schlep to end of terminal for person to print out ticket; go through layer one of checking ticket / passport; layer two is actually checking luggage; layer 3 security; layer 1 is clearly waste of time and layers 2 and 3 can TOTALLY be combined!; find small breakfast bar and order; friend orders tea and you'd think she'd asked for something they'd never heard of before; then asked for milk and basically ended up with milk and a little tea in it

9.15 a.m. neither of us recall hearing the boarding announcement, although it was probably only in French (and they wonder why the rest of the world can't stand them, probably more than Americans, although the world has less expectations of them) ; ) Raining Again is our theme song; board bus to head to plane; run across tarmac in rain; get settled; plane takes off a little late

10.30 a.m. arrive back in Basel on the French side; friend and I can't figure out how it's possible there is no passport control, which is loose at best on the Basel side of Mulhouse Airport; come out on French side as if we flew from NY to Boston; realize "ooooops" fence in between, need to back in; passport control doesn't even turn around as we walk through, we laugh and can't believe it; finally find where we need to get transport back to City and here "welcome home ladies"; it turns out friend's cracker jack boyfriend surprises her at the airport! Mind you it's not just a matter of jumping in the car since none of us really has one here, but rather tram to the train station and bus to the airport; he's a keeper!

11.15 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. mundane life tasks; bills; try (x3) to figure e-banking for UBS (not sure if I'm successful); catch up with e-mails, friend home from Majorca Spain today; lunch

4.00 p.m. to 6 p.m. read NY Times online; trying HARD not to fall asleep as will be up all night thinking about incredibly busy week ahead; get bizarre e-mail from guy I barely know that just moved to Basel (narrow-minded jerks all over the world!); dinner; movie; some TV; prepare for crazy week ahead; expenses from trip

8.30 p.m. falling asleep typing; getting into bed shortly to start the week fresh and early; lots of meetings as usual

Overall, fun four days even though I had to work over two holiday days; leave for Chicago next Wednesday (Mittwoch in German) and then home to NYC which I can't wait for! I've already started to make lists of stuff I need to bring back (bringing a large empty suitcase with me!)

Losing days

Well maybe my dad was right (that I would slow keeping my blog once I started work). But now I'm back and have a lot to tell. The days really blur together. Working on the agency side we used to wonder if we were running around 20 hours a day and couldn't finish everything, what kind of work could our client ACTUALLY be doing. Ok so now I know! While I don't think EVERY client I've ever had has worked this hard (and I don't think it has to do with being new), BUT my colleagues (and me) definitely do! This past week was literally a full on blur.

I joined a Yahoo! user group called BaselExpats about a month prior to coming here, which is largely British expats but with a smattering of Americans thrown in for good measure. I've asked questions about technology etc and ended up e-mailing with this guy and finally early last week I get an e-mail from him saying, "all things being equal on the Internet, I Googled you and saw that you worked for XYZ company, well my wife is Mrs. Jones who ran the Belgium office in Brussels. Now they don't have the same last name and even if they did it wouldn't have rung the bell! But holy cow, she's now in Basel working at that "other" pharmaceutical company on the other side of the Rhine from Roche. No matter how big the world might seem, the Internet constantly still surprises me in that way. So we went out for dinner on Wednesday night and they were so kind and picked up the check, not even knowing it was my birthday.

It's very social here. When you go to lunch in the company cafeteria, most people say hello and good-bye when you sit at the same table even if you don't know them. Plus, since I really only know how to say hello, good-bye, water, and thank you in German...I might not be able to speak the language, but I'm pretty cordial. :)

And alas, Thursday was my birthday. Dad called me at 11.45 p.m. on Wednesday evening to sing. He started to give me crap about getting older and I gave it right back to him citing that he's old enough to have a daughter that is 38. He was none too happy about being reminded of that! :) He said he even "missed me a little". When you start a new job a week prior, having a birthday is a weird thing. You want to walk around telling EVERYONE that it is your birthday, but it's pretty much grossly inappropriate to plug it that way...ok I did to a couple of people. But a friend from another department brought me a card and my boss was standing there. In her cute French accent she said, "omigosh I did not know it was your birthday." I trotted off to a two hour meeting (ergh) and upon returning there was a GORGEOUS bouquet of flowers on my desk. A HUGE, absolutely gorgeous bouquet. I told her thank you, although not necessary. She said they were from our marketing team.

I ran from meeting to meeting and it really didn't feel like my birthday...or maybe when you get older by the time in the day it feels like your birthday, the day is already over. :( I went out with my friend Nadia for sushi. Her company was lovely as always, but even the best sushi in Basel isn't as good as what you would get at the corner bodega at home. But alas, I'm quickly learning that you need to stop comparing "home" to here, since there is no way those two trains will cross. But the middle eastern food rocks! Nadia did an incredible thing. She has these two rings from Swarovski that I've coveted for almost two years now. I've tried to find them online, in their warehouse, etc. but to no avail. Nadia showed with a bag from Swarovski (I bought her something from there a few weeks ago for her 40th) and I "thought" it might be there. She bought me a murano glass wine stopper shaped like a heart AND she gave me one of the crystal rings (the red one)! The last time someone did something that nice for me was when Joanne gave me her favorite ring for good luck, and I guess it worked! We sat outside having drinks at a fun place in the center of town. I got home around 11.30 p.m. and well that's all they wrote. Now I'm 38, just when I was getting used to being 37.

Last night I went out for dinner and to see a movie with another friend and with much protest from me she treated me to another birthday meal. We saw "Wild Hogs" with John Travolta and it was HILARIOUS...pee in your pants HILARIOUS. I've seen some of the out takes and they were as well. It was nice not be at a bar. Drinking wine is considered a very regular part of the social environs here in Europe, but I did a lot of birthday celebrating over the past few days!

Today I met a friend for lunch and we sat in the sun on Rhine...yep you guessed it a three course meal for lunch, wine, and another birthday treat from this friend. And then I just opted for a quiet evening at home, because my next four weeks looks something like this:

May 17 London for business (the 17th and 18th are actually bank holidays, but yes I have to work and my European colleagues are appalled that I need to do it)

May 18 Paris for business (then spending the weekend with a friend)

May 24 Mannheim, Germany business (2 hours from Basel)

May 30 to June 5 Chicago for business

June 5 to June 9 NYC for some kindness to myself and to see family / friends

Have I ever mentioned the purple building in my neighborhood??? I fear the photo won't do it justice but it IS purple!

Even though e-mail helps to keep in touch, would still love to hear voices. Yahoo! phone or calling cards make it next to nothing (Yahoo! is nothing if you have the messenger).

Two weeks

Two weeks down...

This weekend I was in Berlin on business "observing" a pharmaceutical drug launch meeting for when I do my own in September. I've done three, but not of this magnitude. I think I made fast friends with several people and I have to tell you I was EXTREMELY giddy when I arrived at the airport in Berlin and everything was done! I'm so used to being the one / team running around like a chicken with my head cut off. And I was quite excited to have my own agency dealing with the press, etc. Although they are a really great team and know their stuff. I'm impressed and looking forward to working with them (London-based). I'll be going there to walk through all of the plans and meet the rest of the team and prepare for the HUGE oncology meeting in Chicago end of this month / beginning of June.

It's becoming more and more evident to me that the earth is a lot less random that maybe a lot of us think. I've connected with old friends / colleagues online very randomly! And I'm learning that eventually most people that touch the pharmaceutical industry end up coming to Basel!

I got home from my trip tonite and just wanted something simple for dinner so I walked to the local Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood and it was 50 Sfr!!! Just for soup, an egg roll, and chicken with cashews! Ok so they throw in a Chinese beer, but still! The restaurants are SO expensive here and it's not just the top end, really good restaurants, but basic mediocre ones! My new favorite place is actually just your run of the mill kabob / fallafal (really cheap and good) in the center of town.

I'm enjoying a colleague that started the same day as I did, also from NYC. When my boss took me out to dinner before I started she said, "yes the new guy is from NYC as well and he's black and gay which will be very interesting for the brand team since they're not used to either." Poor guy (not because of the former, but because people in Europe really weigh those things heavily when hiring someone - they asked me my age and if I had a family!)...good thing he's got a great sense of humor and is pretty awesome. Here in Basel, you become very insulated creating friends / family via co-workers. It's very easy not to integrate yourself into the local community, but I'm going to attempt German via private lessons at work, but given my schedule and the degree of difficulty, not sure what will happen, but I would like to at least try (at the very least I'm a very polite person since I know "thanks" and "good-bye"). I'd like to be able to speak it for shopping, restaurants, etc., just your basic conversational. Although Swiss German is spoken more than high German, it's not a written language so therefore impossible to learn, plus the natives wouldn't really even let me speak it.

I'm also quickly learning that the Swiss are VERY rigid, hence Swiss time. But they also make up rules / regulations (ad-hoc) and although not confrontational, they will point out if you're doing something wrong (like garbage or recycling). And to anyone that thought we have fees / taxes in the U.S., you haven't seen anything like Switzerland. For the most part it's just out and out exhortion here, but they don't even really try to hide it. And since all of the bills / notices come in German, if you don't stay on top of friends / co-workers helping you translate, you can really end up being screwed. And forget getting apartment deposits back when you're done. Basically this is just one giant adventure and when it stops being so, that's when most people move on or go back to work in their respective countries (for the company or another pharma company).

Four days 'til my birthday. Who is the first to visit??? Tick tock, tick tock.

Keep on keepin' on...

Ground Control to Major Tom

Day 11

Beam me up Scotty. Today was the first day of my new job. Most of you have received an e-mail with my contact information, although I prefer to continue using my Gmail account (separation of synagogue and state if you will). I spent the morning with the department assistant. She's the type woman who if keep her happy, your whole life will be a.ok. If you don't, might as well kiss your ass good-bye. The head of our department took me and another (new colleague) for a two hour lunch in the manager's restaurant on campus (not somewhere that I will be dining on a regular basis). We actually had a three course meal including wine! She laughed when we were offered wine because she can't understand why Americans hesitate to drink wine with lunch. Well you don't have to ask me twice, and she applauded the fact that I caved in much quicker than my colleague.

The late afternoon was spent logging on to my laptop. I had 94 e-mails to start and most of them did not revolve around "what's for lunch at the cantina today". They were actually bonified e-mails with a lot to read. And tomorrow most of my team is headed out to Berlin early to rehearse for the launch meeting over the weekend. And I have a meeting to defend our PR budget to the marketing team already! Oy! I've not even had the plan presented by the PR company yet! C'est la vie or sink or swim. Luckily I'm still fairly buoyant after all these years. But I love, love, love the fact that I have my very own PR agency! I worked hard for it.

Although we're in Dilbert City, it's not that bad. The cubes are HUGE and we have all the necessary equipment we need, although no one seems to know when my Blackberry might arrive. But they will reimburse my pay-as-you go mobile phone until it does. The team bought me a beautiful basket of flowers and I have this huge gorgeous tree-like plant towards the front of my desk. Actually it needs to be pushed out of the way, but it's so heavy it ain't happening anytime soon.

Well tomorrow is another day and I leave for Berlin early on Friday morning. Day one of 10 straight days!

A School Night

Day 10

Well my last day of total freedom and as history repeats itself, when I start my new job tomorrow I will be working 10 straight days (in Berlin this weekend for business). It seems that I always enter a new company / position at the busiest time of the year!

I'm REALLY nervous and looking forward to getting through tomorrow to see what it's like. I'm really glad that I came a week and a half early to get settled and figure things out. For example, the garbage and recycling is so bizarre here. And if you don't do it correctly they will rifle through your garbage to get your name and send you a fine, but of course you can't read the letter you get because it's in German, so alas, I either show everyone my mail or I use translation Web sites. And the German to English translation doesn't always make sense either!

But otherwise I'm getting along fine. Thanks so much to the friends that have called me. Considering my family has not! Grrrrr.

Just an hour and a half away

Days 8 & 9

Yesterday was just a regular Sunday. Spent time with friends planning a party and having dinner / drinks on the Rhine. I know that sounds weird, but it's not that much different from having dinner at a restaurant on the Potomac or Hudson River, oh wait, yes it is, the lack of pollution and humidity, but equally as beautiful.

Today I went to my friend's farmhouse in France (FAUCOGNEY-ET-LA-MER) for the day (thousands lake region in south east France). She gardened, I didn't (the Bersin green thumb passed me up for sure), although I do miss the two plants I was able to keep alive for many, many years. They will likely be replaced by a few fish when I move into my permanent apartment in a few months. It was absolutely gorgeous today. I read, slept on / off in the sun and engaged in lots of girl talk. Although we were meant to stay over, we opted to drive back instead. I had THE most amazing strawberries, probably the best I've ever had in my life. They were small and sweet. Apparently the larger the grow the less flavor they have, so look for something called "alpine strawberries" if you can (grown in the Alps), or if not, try to get them more on the dainty side.
http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.les1000etangs.com/&prev=/search%3Fq%3DFaucogney-et-la-Mer%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGLJ,GGLJ:2006-41,GGLJ:en





There is only one day that separates me from the new job and (actually) 10 days straight of work (I will be in Berlin over the weekend for business). I know, I know, I've had two months to get my head on straight for starting my new position, but now that's a reality in just a few short hours, I'm essentially FREAKING OUT, truly FREAKING OUT. I know that I can do the job, and I will gain familiarity with the content in no time, but this is the big leagues folks. If I succeed here, I can write my own ticket upon coming back to the U.S. AND most likely have a company pay to bring me back home. But for now, I will stay for as long as it feels like an adventure.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is EU Labor Day, so alas most shops will be closed, but we'll be sticking close to town and having brunch, seeing a movie, and going 'round to a friend's house for dinner. More later in the week about the new job!

As always, miss everyone and please do keep in touch via e-mail / phone (I received a letter from New York (first class mail) that was sent on April 26 and arrived today (April 30)!).

One week and counting

Day 6

Well I'm still here! Yesterday I registered for my health insurance (compulsory and on your own). I swear in a country that is supposed to have socialized medicine and the best health care system in the world...they're still just as screwed up as the rest of the Western countries. Basically I get to pay 225 Sfr per month just for entry to see the doctors with a 2500 Sfr deductible. So basically what they're saying is "don't get sick, or if you do, make sure you can afford it." The 225 Sfr covers me for global travel and any doctors I want to see and a semi-private hospital room should I need it. If I need a hospital, I'll be going back to the U.S.! Although doctors here in Switzerland typically train in the U.S. anyway. But if I took a lower deductible, say 300 Sfr, I would pay about 500 to 600 Sfr per month for the premium. As everyone knows I brought over enough medication to start my own pharmacy, so hopefully I won't need to spend my deductible! It took about two hours to walk through everything with an insurance broker (paid by the insurance companies), but he seemed genuine. When things are in a foreign language you're pretty much at the mercy of the people helping you. So hopefully they are honest. It totally goes against my grain to sign something without reading or understanding it. I can only hope that going back to the U.S. will get me out of a lot of these things. LOL

Then I met up with the "American Women in Basel" club. They were nice enough, but it was all women that followed their husbands here, so alas, their days are filled with stuff that I don't have a lot of interest in, but another way to meet people I suppose.

Then in the evening I went to services. Yes I said services. There was a group started about three years ago that is modeled after B'nai Jeshurun in NYC and it was really enjoyable. The people were welcoming and the kids were very cute. It was nice to be around something "familiar." So I will definitely go back for future services and events.

People are shocked that I've gotten so much done this week. But that's just me. I couldn't imagine landing on Saturday and going to work on Monday. It takes FOREVER for an expat to get anything done, since it's usually in another language. Coming early has gotten me a bit used to the grocery stores, bank, etc.

Day 7

They send random things by special delivery from the post office, like pin codes from the bank. So today I had to be out the door by 10.30 to get to the post office before it closed. Seriously in the States they just send the pin separate from the card. They do that as well here, but you have to sign for anything with a "pin" in it. Then I headed in search of the mobile phone store for my "all in German" phone. Last night I sat in front of the computer plugging words / phrases into a translation Web site and actually was able to change the menus to English. Today I thought they must be able to help me at the provider, even though the company that makes the phone (French company - I should have known) said there was no way to do it. They flipped a switch in the computer and e voila, I had voicemail prompts in English! I feel so balanced now that I have a mobile phone that I understand. Also, the iPod video that my parents bought me for my birthday rocks! If you haven't seen "Weeds" yet, for god's sake get thee to Amazon.com and buy the first season on DVD and download the second season on iTunes. This show is so well written and so funny it makes me pee my pants a little every time I watch!

Did I mention that I fried my wireless router on Thursday? Well I replaced it yesterday and today I'm typing from under the covers! If the router is the only casualty in this voltage wasteland, I won't be too discouraged, although electronics are more expensive here even if you take into account the conversion. If you have recommendations for a make / model of flat screen TV that won't break the bank, please do e-mail me. Once I move into my permanent apartment I will be in the market for a size for the living room and smaller one for the bedroom. As well as all knew electrics for the kitchen. Toys! :) I also did a ton of paperwork for the upcoming work start on Wednesday. It's like being a new student on the first day of school. I'm already thinking about what I might wear. BUT, in between Nadia and I are going to her house in France (Vosges region - thousand lakes) on Monday / Tuesday just to get away for a bit. But the days are going by pretty quickly. Although I can't believe I'm STILL feeling jet lagged. It's 1.21 a.m. as I'm typing and I'm still not tired. Hmmm

I have to say thank you to Perri for going out of her way to figure out how to use a phone card in the 21st century. :) I don't have caller ID here so I'm never sure who is on the other end of the phone when it rings, but I love it when she calls. It means a lot to hear familiar voices, even though e-mail is cool, it doesn't take the place!

I'm still constantly shocked by the fact that young school-aged children (9, 10, etc.) are out and about by themselves (on the trams). I know that Basel is the safest city in Europe, blah blah blah, but still! Also, parents never seem to be holding younger children's hands when they walk across the street, across tram tracks. I want to grab them and shake them, but apparently this is how Swiss children are raised. Maybe they are more street smart than NY kids??? Nah! :) Also, and mind you I'm totally NOT fickle, but even the "nice" parts of town here have XXX shops. And again, while I'm not a prude I don't think that children need to grow up any quicker than they already do in the 21st century. I walked around the main square today and caught some gorgeous roses.

All computer equipment is not created equal

Day 5

Today was a GREAT day. Met a friend for lunch who kindly walked me through returning some stuff to an electronic store (in German) and then helped me decipher the grocery store points card. It was another gorgeous day in Basel, although all around people are complaining that it's too hot and I'm thinking, y'all ain't experienced hot until you've walked out of an office building in NYC to 90 degrees with the same humidity and bus exhaust. It's been around 80+ during the day with very dry air and in the 50s at night. If the summer were like this I'd be quite happy. I'm not allowed to install an a/c apparently, but I'm thinking I could buy an air filter (HEPA) that would cool my apartment while also removing any irritants that might impact my allergies / asthma as necessary.

My air shipment arrived today!!! It felt like an early birthday present. I felt as though I was unwrapping gifts that I'd never seen before. It was one guy for the 14 items and he was even

smaller than the crew that packed and moved me out of NY. I can't understand how these little itty bitty guys can lift heavy boxes! Hmmmm

Raced home from lunch to meet the delivery and just tore into everything! Went to dinner with a close friend and we planned an over night trip this weekend to her farmhouse in the Voges region of France (1,000 lakes region) which is about an hour and a half from downtown Basel. Some of you think you live in the suburbs? That's nothing compared to a 16th century farmhouse literally in the middle of a village that is in the middle of nowhere. I'm not even sure if they have a zip code! : )

I thought since my laptop works that the wireless router would as well. Most computer equipment is created with built in converters, but now I'm realizing that if it has a huge plug at the end that it's likely going to fry, and fry it did! The minute I plugged it in a fuse blew and you could smell the burning wires! Well, there were a few things I brought over knowing that it might happen. As well, upon just examining my scanner, I'm realizing that it too has one of those huge plugs, so maybe it's just better to send it home and buy a printer, fax, scanner here in Basel. The only downside is that most likely the instructions will be in German, Italian, or French and NOT English! Muy mal!

Had dinner with one of my close friends here. We had drinks right on the Rhine (literally) at the Three Kings Hotel (top 5-star hotel in Basel) right on the Rhine, literally. And then went for a basic pizza / salad / chianti dinner. Yummy food combined with great company as always.
http://www.lestroisrois.com

The rest of the weekend will be filled with Friday night services at the local egalitarian synagogue based on the B'nai Jeshurun model in NYC (the woman that started it lived in NYC and attended services at BJ for 17 years), lunch / dinner with friends, preparing for work on Wednesday (yikes!), etc. and taking in more of Basel.

One thing I noticed is that the Swiss are a bit cold and given that I don't speak or understand German my whole form of communication is completely at a stand still. Being a type A extrovert from NYC this is a completely new experience for me. They don't make eye contact walking down the street, nor do they indulge in gratuitous smiling. Given how serious I can be you'd think I would feel right at home with this, but since I can't communicate verbally I thought at least body language would come in handy, but it's just not the way it's done here.


If you're at a loss as to what I might like as a birthday present...well here is something to take the guess work out of the picture! The toilet paper here is "from hunger" as my dear old Gram would say! I had three precious roles left upon departing NY!

Culture in Basel

Day 4

Well another jet lagged night left me up until 3.30 a.m., but luckily I have my friends in the U.S. to keep me "company" online when I can't sleep. But today was another good day.

I ventured out late in the afternoon to a museum called "Foundation Beyeler." Apparently it's a pretty famous museum that brings amazing exhibits to town (link as follows). They're currently showing the standards (Monet, Rousseau - does nothing for me!, Picasso, etc.), but the treat is close to 100 paintings / lithographs by Edvard Munch (munk), most would recognize him as the "Scream" artist. I spent about an hour inside and then sat on the grounds which were absolutely spectacular (photos as follows). It's about 20 minutes by tram from downtown Basel right on the border of Germany. I walked around the little village, had lunch, and took in the sites. I'm still not sure about the difference between Expressionism and Impressionism, but Munch was apparently the father of Expressionism. Although some of his stuff is a little dark for me, there were a few that just jumped off the wall. And I didn't know that a lot of his replicas were actually lithographs which was apparently cutting edge back then. He also incorporated rudimentary photography into his artistic creativity. And by the time he was 32 he'd lost both his parents and younger brother and sister. Which also had a tendency to come through in his work. One of my favorites was of a little blonde girl around 5-years old with piercing blue eyes called "Sad Child." It was absolutely haunting and the crystal clear blue eyes jumped off of the canvas.

http://www.beyeler.com/fondation/index_language.html

Afterward my new boss took me to the best French restaurant in town (she's French via London) and we sat outside for three hours enjoying great food as the weather dropped into the upper 50s with no humidity. It was a little warm today, but with no humidity. If the rest of the summer is like this, I will survive for sure. The hotel / brasserie where we ate was delish! Here is a link to the restaurant and B&B. http://www.au-violon.com/index.cfm/SE-9AA6AD43/?&lang=en


For those of you that will be around in NY June 5 to 10, I will be back in NYC to visit. I will be in Chicago and will fly back via NY! I can't wait! :)

My air shipment arrives tomorrow afternoon which means I will have my pillow, lots and lots of pillows, duvet, sheets, more shoes, food staples. I am SO thrilled. I've felt like Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock with my molecules spread around the universe!

Please do keep in touch. I'm six hours ahead here but phone calls are always welcome. If you're dialing from the U.S. it's 011.41.61.361.8020 and you can get pre-paid phone cards very cheap! Next week I will e-mail my work contact information and then my permanent mobile phone form work when I receive it.

Miss everyone bunches!

Finding My Way

Day 3

I finally caught up on sleep last night which was desperately needed (did I mention that my air shipment lands in Basel tomorrow (Wednesday) morning??? and once it clears customs during the day it's on its way to me!). I woke up at 10.30 and meandered around for a bit. The thing about being six hours ahead of the East coast is that I guess to read e-mail from friends (but so far no family!) and that's a nice way to start the day.

I bought myself the most beautiful tulips. I guess being closer to Holland the flowers become more incredible. I took these photos this morning (they close up each night).



The building a few doors down has these gorgeous, sweet smelling flowers growing up the side (photos follow) and if you know what they are, please do e-mail me. I'm dying to know!


But then it got a bit weird from there! I realized that the lunch with the woman whose place I'm taking at Roche was actually today at Noon! Yikes! I called to say that I was running late, jumped in the shower, and took off lickety split only to get lost trying to find her. Did I mention she's nine months pregnant and due in two weeks? I felt so awful so I stopped to buy her a plant as a gift. When I was born my parents received one as a gift that I still have remnants of (dad who is taking care of the plants while you're away???!) to this day at almost 29 (on May 10). ; ) Ok, ok, I'll actually be 38, but don't look a day OVER 29. I had pasta yet again, but with walking well over the 10,000 required steps per day, I felt quite ok with it.

After that I went in search of the synagogue (closed) and the posh kosher restaurant next door (also closed for siesta), but at least I know where they are. Then I trekked around trying to find the local Chabad house. Nobody fall down, I haven't gone off the deep-end, but rather it's nice to have a common bond with people. I'm also going to the American Women in Basel lunch on Friday, but I fathom it will be filled with women that aren't working, but at least I can collect bits and pieces from women that have come before me. Alas, I hiked around for an hour and a half looking for the House. I had the address, but for some reason they stopped at 25 and my paper said 61 (and it's correct). Why didn't I just phone them you ask? Because I forgot the number! Two pink cheeks and a bit tired...I got on the bus and found my way back to my neighborhood. Looking for another business I came across the fact that there is actually quite a bit to do around my house. There is a fantastic yarn shop, but I will continue to buy from Lee in the U.S. because she includes Peeps with her packages! I found an amazing COOP (CO-OP) which is one of the predominant grocery stores here (some are called CO-OP City because they include clothing, electronics, etc. - shout out to my cousin Melissa). Bought some groceries and came home pooped!

Catching up on some online reading, communicating with friends (thanks for your help keeping my sanity - even found a cheap calling plan with no hidden fees that allows me to call home for less than 0.05 per minute!), getting organized and genuinely feeling like today was a good day. Although my dad still can't get it straight that the free Yahoo! phone might not be the best way to communicate since I'm six hours ahead and that he might, just might, have to pick up his mobile phone when I call! :) And one of the more important things I found near my house of course!

My friends have been very patient, like when I ring from the grocery store asking what kind of mayonnaise to buy since a lot of them come in a tube(WTF) here!? Tomorrow I'm off to the Edvard Munch exhibit at the famous Foundation Beyeler museum and to meet my new boss for dinner. Monday and Tuesday are holidays here in Switzerland, so there is a chance some friends and I might be taking the train to Paris, but alternatively sticking close to home will also entail some fun I'm sure!


I hope some of you are actually reading and enjoying. Please feel free to leave comments!