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!