24 hours in Basel

Day 1

I thought it would be great to begin a blog about my time in Basel and living in Europe. Contrary to what people think, Switzerland is not part of the European Union and does not use the Euro as currency, which from what I can tell is better for me in terms of the exchange rate (I will get more Swiss francs - CHF for the USD)!! How exciting is that, but hopefully long-term everything will even out so that I can bring all of my loot back!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basel%2C_Switzerland
(right click and open in new tab or disable your pop-up blocker and open in new window)


I'll back track a bit starting with my apartment being packed up on Wednesday (who knew you could box up a couch). My new address is Solothurnerstrasse 85 (Solo turna strahs - as pronounced by the Swiss or German). I can't wait to hear everyone try to pronounce it.

It only took me three hours to figure out how to change this site from German to English! I think German lessons are going to be very helpful!!

Arrived at JFK with my dad after spending 1 1/2 hours in traffic, bleh. Hung out with him for a little while before Jane stopped to pick him up as they were headed to Jetblue to go to Florida for a cousin's birthday. It was tougher than I thought saying good-bye. I feel like I've been stuck in a non-stop Hallmark commercial for the last week or so (those close to me know that I cry at Hallmark commercials and the Hallmark sponsored movies)! : )

The flight to London was uneventful and bringing one of my pillows was a really good move and BA's business class is very comfortable (although nothing beats Virgin's service). I slept for a couple of hours and arrived in London (Heathrow) which is where the first hiccup occurred right on schedule (unless god herself requires me to go through Heathrow, I'm done with that airport). We landed with about 45 minutes in between flights and if you know anything about Heathrow, even connections through terminal 4 can be a disaster, combine that with traveling on BA and it becomes infinitely magnified. Security at Heathrow is militant and no two will give you the same answer. Three large men told me to put my purse in my back pack and I would be fine to get on the plane with my 22" suitcase packed with all kinds of important stuff (make-up, blow dryer, check book, jewelry), etc. At this point I had 20 minutes before my flight to Basel was taking off. I did what they told me to and then headed down towards the metal detectors. At that point a very nasty woman told me I couldn't take the suitcase with me. Mind you the time was getting shorter to take-off. At that point I just totally had a meltdown. I was tired, emotional, etc. and was just "done". After a few minutes of fruitless arguing I checked my suitcase and headed through security. Once on the plane I saw many people get on board with the same one! Ah yes, good ole Heathrow...

Was finally able to focus enough to read my magazines and had a great breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs, and lots of breakfast meat (although was careful about eating a ton of fatty breakfast food so just nibbled). I don't know if it was because I was famished or only used to eating egg whites, but the eggs in business class to Basel were fantastic!

Landed at the Basel Euro airport (left for Switzerland, right for France - mind you Switzerland barely checks passports, so don't be disappointed when you don't get a stamp). My two large suitcases arrived no problem, was totally relieved to see them! But as expected, the little 22" that I reluctantly checked at Heathrow did not. And BA NEVER seems to be able to tell you where your luggage is in the system. The same thing happened to me on the way to Copenhagen in September. And the NYT keeps running articles how BA has the worst statistic for lost luggage in the whole airline industry. I was not convinced that my suitcase was going to be on the next flight, to be continued...

The guy from the "welcome" company met me very easily and I felt bad for him because I was grumpy at best, but tried to engage my best European behavior after traveling for 10 hours and dealing with missing luggage. I landed to 70+ degree weather and Basel in full spring tilt, so that helped with the mood. We drove for about 20 minutes through some scenery I recognized, but mostly not. We finally stopped in front of a nice building near a park and I was relieved. You would think in the digital age that the housing department at a company would have photos of the housing they engage. Now that I'm arm chair quarter backing, I sent a few things by air that I won't need, but I have a storage locker, so it's all good.

The building has an elevator (it's teeny, but works well) which is VERY helpful... If I end up living in a building like this the poor movers will have to bring my couch up three flights of stairs because it would never fit. But I plan to use the stairs most of the time when not lugging lots of stuff with me. Everyone has their own floor which is literally personalized with their own stuff. There are two sides to the building and as far as I can tell, each side has six apartments. The way to describe it is most like a condo and each of the apartments are privately owned which is rare in Switzerland given the scheme-related mortgages. But the building seems fairly upscale with several doctors (checked out the mailbox names) that I fathom are working for pharma as well. The family that owns my apartment has two little children and is currently living in Australia. They rent their apartment out to Roche exclusively for this purpose, which makes a lot of sense. The woman's parents live in Basel about a minute away and her father called to check on me yesterday. It was really sweet and unexpected, but that's how a lot of things are here in Basel. Oh and oddly enough the same key that works the inside door in the lobby, is also the front door to my apartment! I’m hoping that there is something that scrambles the two, but apparently that is typical here as well. I don’t think I can get into anyone else’s apartment as it isn’t a key like the ones we are used to. It looks more like something computerized?

I am thrilled with the apartment. I fathom this one was probably nicer than the one they originally booked for me (will post photos soon). It's a large two-bedroom that is very reminiscent of garden apartments in Florida (large white tile throughout, big airy windows, terrace overlooking a garden, etc.). So I actually feel really comfy here (and god said let there be Internet, which has truly saved my sanity the last two days; two TVs - of course most things are in German and French, but you can always watch an episode of Law & Order or Southpark dubbed since you've seen it in English; nice stereo, DVD player, etc.). LOL The kitchen is nice as well, only the oven is in Celsius which should be interesting when trying to bake. I fathom I will engage a lot of trial and error!

I was doing some light sewing that I'd put off around 8.00 p.m. last night (Saturday) and realized that I was sleeping with the needle in my hand because I woke myself up snoring! I took a quick cat nap and the family was nice enough to leave some nibbles in the fridge so alas a toasted cheese sandwich and some yummy Swiss chocolate served as dinner. Once I brought up the old blood sugar I was good to go for another few hours, shortly thereafter my suitcase came by courier and the world was feeling “right” again. I'm excited to see what my phone bill will be for yesterday! But alas, it won't be like that always. As I sit typing it's so weird to have only had the phone ring once this morning. Between phones and text messaging I'm so used to having my land line and mobile ringing all day. Shout out to Perri, I miss you chickie! I think I called my grandmother three times, maybe four? :)

This morning I woke up around 10.30, although the clock said 22.30 so I knew it had to be re-set! Took my time waking up, figured out the shower and it felt REALLY good. I finally ventured out to the grocery store, which is about six blocks and through the main (smoky) train station, from my house. And incidentally, pretty much the only one in Basel open on Sunday! Switzerland is a VERY Christian country and people get upset if you even garden or wash your car on the 7^th day. And in some neighborhoods they'll complain to you! But apparently my neighborhood is a bit laid back. But since I don't really have a green thumb, nor do I own a car, I probably won't have to worry. But the current bain of my existence is how they dispose of garbage here. In an effort to keep this landlocked country very clean and free of rubbish, they've enacted some crazy regulations. You can only use the blue garbage bags that are very expensive and you can only get them at the register at a variety of grocery stores. They come in three sizes and are called Bebbi sacks, but if the cashier doesn't "sprecken zie English" (I'm sure I botched that spelling), you're SOL! I thought I understood, but since I walked out without them, I guess not! As well, garbage is collected twice a week and there is nowhere to put bags that are full beyond those two days. You also have to store your news / computer paper and magazines for once per month recycling and the plastic bottles go back to the store! But that said, I did manage to buy enough to last me for a few days until I get a better grasp on shopping. I did figure out that groceries are fairly expensive, maybe even more so than NYC if that's at all possible (even more than shopping at Whole Food several times per week). And it's not milk like we're used to...most of it is packaged like Parmalot. So, I'll update tomorrow with how my cereal went! :) I figured I couldn't go wrong making pasta with chicken tonite.

It was around 70 degrees today with absolutely no humidity! Even I love that! And because there is no humidity you can sit with the windows / balcony door wide open without fear of mosquitoes or other bugs flying around.

Tomorrow (Monday) a woman from the welcome company is going to take me to the local canton office for my resident permit, which will officially kick-off my life in Basel. This permit allows me to obtain a temporary cell phone (until I get my Blackberry at work), register for a TV / radio permit when I rent my permanent place, yes you heard that right. There is a yearly fee for having a TV and radio! And we think we pay coming and going in the U.S.!? Here in Switzerland everything and everyone has their hand in your wallet. This registration also allows me to open a bank account, and set up an account with the post office since several utilities are paid at the post office, rather than through a credit card or online banking...how 19th century! ;)

Thanks to everyone that made time to get together prior to my departure. I always knew that I had good friends and a great family, but everyone was really supportive and encouraging. It is difficult leaving special people behind (you know who you are), but I expect you all to come visit.
Please do come back for up-to-date information. Hopefully it will be easy to navigate and the spirit of everything will come through.