Well, boys and girls, it's been very exciting so far.
Thanks again to my Swiss consultant Christine for logistical support and suggestions, we did do the boat on Lake Lucerne, then the steepest cog railway up Mt. Pilatus, excitement, clouds, views and walking at the top, and tram down to the other side (the town of Kriens) where we took a bus back to the B&B. While on the mountain, we shopped and Jeremy did a ropes course (omg it was lots of fun he said and i have photos; Barbara I am bringing back a brochure for you).
This morning after another fabulous breakfast (blueberry yogurt amazing, fabulous bread, cheeses, meats, tea etc) Jeremy took off for the Zurich office of google on his own, with his suitcase. More leisurely, Daniel and I left Lucern and headed straight for Basel. The train ride was about an hour. There are two Basel train stations. We got a bit confused but once at the correct station, made it here easily on a cute green electric tram. Daniel and I walked and walked and walked. Saw a man swimming in the Rhine (our B&B is 2 blocks from the river), saw two people floating in the river with orange dry sacks floating near their backs, dodged lots of kamikaze bicyclists, had wurst for lunch (daniel had curry wurst which was fabulous) and walked some more. Stopped at the supermarket Coop to get Caotina, the chocolate powder to mix in with milk that Christine gave us so long ago.
Late in the afternoon, Jeremy called to say he was pretty much on his way. He came, I met him outside, he settled in, and we heard wonderful stories about the slide and fireman's pole connecting floors in the google building, the conference rooms with small tram cars as seats, the nap room, lit only by the lights in the fishtanks, with 7 large comfy recliners and fountains providing quite sounds.
We walked and walked and walked, retracing Jeremy's journey on the tram from the other Basel train station, and we ate at Apfelplatz I think...a steak house where Jeremy had steak and Daniel and I split a fabulous mixed salad and thin thin crust pizza. yummy. AND THE DESSERTS! apple cake fried and covered in cinnamon sugar and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. jeremy got an ice cafe which is an espresso shot poured over a scoop of gelato, this time with rum. OMG they were both so fabulous.
On the way we found a toy store (daniel wants to get Magic cards in German) and a comic book store. jeremy saw a place which sells espresso cups and supplies, and a few other places to check out in the morning. i'd love to go on a guided walk or bus tour just to get a sense of history. there is a series of 5 small walks, like erasmus, giving an idea of what Basel was like centuries ago.
one of my favorite things from tonight: in the entry way to the city hall there were two accordion players and a bassist, playing Bach fugues!! astounding. and i have the CD to prove it.
it's been busy, tiring and a lot of fun. and luckily wireless access works here, and quickly.
jeremy wants his computer back, so i'll write more tomorrw.
