Roma!

Mark and I took a long weekend trip to Rome! We left around lunch time on Thursday and took the 3 hour flight from Basel (via Lyon, France). We decided to take a shuttle directly to the hotel from the airport to "save some time." Turns out it would've been faster to just take the train, but then we would've missed out on all the excitement of Italian driving - only second, in my experience, to the craziness of bus drivers in Cancun...

Our hotel was amazing - and more importantly, in an amazing location. We were right in the heart of Rome. We walked everywhere - starting with dinner at a restaurant recommended by the hotel. While the dinner was a bit of a surprise, everything was great.

Just so you know, neither of us is overly fond of heads and tails being attached to our food:

(Mine was better than his)

We hit the streets for a preliminary tour and found ruins around every corner.

The next morning we headed to St. Peter's - specifically around the backside to get into the Sistine Chapel. I was even able to take a few photos inside the chapel before they announced the fact that photos are prohibited. OK, and maybe a few after they announced it, too...

We managed to eat gelato an average of 3 times per day, and I think I had pizza every day as well. The food was great. But nothing was as impressive as the never-ending history.

Literally, every where you look in Rome is another famous work of art. And we were able to see just about everything you can think of. We took over 500 photos, but I'll try to narrow them down to a few dozen shots...

We spent Saturday roaming around with our tourist map, checking sights off as we found them. Most of the time was spent at the Colloseum - it was incredible! But we also had plenty of time to run all over and try to find random things we wanted to see. All of the giant heads made me laugh, especially the ones with silly expressions:

Just so happens the final leg of the Giro d'Italia was on Sunday.
Looks like Mark may've been having a little trouble finding it:

You'd think all the big pink banners would've given it away...

While I hope you enjoy the photos, I've got to say that nothing can compare to seeing this place in person. Even if you don't care about the art, the city itself is worth the trip.

We spent the first half of Sunday searching for and exploring some of the catacombs. Then we spent the afternoon watching what we could see of the final time trial of the race, then headed to the airport (via train this time!) Our flight was about 45 minutes late taking off, so making our connecting flight did not come close to happening. Fortunately, AirFrance took care of everything, as the next flight was not until Monday morning. AirFrance arranged a room, dinner and breakfast for us and made sure we were on the next flight. It was so much more pleasant than missed flight experiences we've had in the States. (take note, AA!)

Next up - Art 40 Basel!

Sunday in ruins...

Roman Ruins, that is! Sunday morning we headed off to meet the gang at the bus stop - then rode about 10 minutes to Augst, Switzerland. It's just outside of Basel, and home of Augusta Raurica. From the bus stop, we had a lovely 10-15 minute walk:

There were 8 of us in all, and it was a fun time exploring the random ruins that have apparently been discovered and re-discovered repeatedly over the centuries.

Not the most comfortable furniture I've ever seen, but apparently child-proof:

Restored Mosaic:

After we finished roaming around, we took the 15 minute walk to the river to find a restaurant...

(on the walk to the river - I like the wall)

I was hot, the water wasn't!

Here's a bath house, right on the river:

...and wait on our 2:30 boat ride back down the river to Basel. It's a 10 minute bus ride, but an hour 1/2 boat ride. We had to go through 2 locks, which was a new experiece for most of us in the group.

Sinking!

Through the lock:

It's a gorgeous area - but I'm always a sucker for anything close to water...

Speaking of water, it's cold! But the air temp has been hitting 90 at times, so I'm hoping to get that today or tomorrow, and I'll hit the river for a swim! There's a very strong current, so I guess floating/coasting would be a more accurate description. Sort of like an almost frozen Lazy River...

Anyway, lunch was fantastic, as was the boat ride back. Which we followed up with, what else, ice cream. We are definitely putting in some miles, but it's great practice for this weekend's trip: ROME!

Mulhouse, France and other exploits of May 23, 2009

Saturday morning I hopped out of bed and headed off to the weekly Flea Market on Petersplatz. Goal: bicycle! And I found it. I bought an old, red, beat up, French bicycle from a dude who spoke no English. Fortunately, I've picked up enough key words to go along with standard hand signals to get my point across. ($200??? Are you crazy?) Eventually found a little gem that was reasonably priced, took her for a spin, and then walked her home. Yes, walked. You have to have sticker for your bike, and I'm a stickler for rules, so I walked it most of the way home. Plus I'm a clutz and did not want to die in a bicycle-meets-tram collision. I tend to fall just walking, so bicycles are a serious threat to my general well-being. So here's my new bike (with new vignette/sticker):

After this, I took it home and gave it a good scrub down while I waited on Mark to get home from work. Then we headed off to lunch and the train station - destination: France. After a short 20 minute train ride, we arrived at Mulhouse, France (pronounced Mul-huz, Frahnz).

We just wanted to check out the city, as well as the areas in between Mulhouse and the airport. A lot of people that work in Basel actually live in France due to the reduced cost in living. It was a cute place, and people did actually acknowledge us as we walked by. After roaming around through the city streets and visiting with a very nice couple selling jewelry in one of the city squares, we hopped on a tram and took a ride to see what else there was to see.

It's a fairly small, industrial area, but had some beautiful buildings and is "known" for the wall murals:

We grabbed a quick slice of pizza and some gelato and hopped back on the train to Basel. Had to get ready for Sunday - the trip to Augusta Raurica!

Basel this week...

Not a whole lot going on this week. I finally made it to our Munster. It was beautiful - I have a few pics I took before my batteries died... (today's outing consisted of finding a European battery charger!)

I always love doors, and there are some pretty spectacular ones here!

Here's the view from the church - and the steps way over there on the water's edge are where I had a picnic, read a book on Swiss culture and checked out the views.

The weather is gorgeous. Just keeps getting better.

Mark went to the States for Brit's High School graduation, and we are all very proud of her! He's back here now, and working away.

I had lunch with a friend at a local Mexican food restaurant. It was very good - especially the 11am margarita! Some food at restaurants has really been hit or miss, but I will definitely go back to this place. Did a little shopping, lots of my normal roaming around.

We miss the dogs, the kids and the house (not necessarily in that order, Britney), but all is still well in Basel!

Sunday in the park - and other great things about Basel.

So today is 80 here - sunny, slightly breezy, and just enough clouds to keep you from getting too hot. The best weather of the trip, so far. It's beautiful. So I packed a picnic and headed in what I believed to be the general direction of a large park that Mark and I passed about a week ago. Worst case, I would've ended up at some other park, they're everywhere.

I made it - it was full of kids, people paying fussball (soccer), badmitton, laying out in the sun. Even the occassional bathing suit. I'll remember that for next time!

Anyway - I spent a couple of hours laying in the sun, reading, eating and people watching.

I also got to thinking on my walk back that I haven't really posted much of Basel - so I'll attach a few photos and maybe some fun facts today.

This is the Rathaus - Basel's Town Hall (with Mark in front)

And here's Mark inside...

...and there are over 180 fountains here - all with drinkable water shooting out of them. I've had it several times. It's great. This has to be one of my very favorite fountains.

I'm sure you can see why she's my favorite.

Here are some shots of Marktplatz - it's usually jam packed, but not at 6pm on a Saturday apparently. People go to bed early here and get up early. (the Jungen (youth) come out to party around 8pm)

Yes, this is a tram headed directly for me...

I'll have to get some shots of this same platz when it's full (every other time I've been there.)

Mark and I went to the Basel Zoo last Sunday. It was pretty cool. They are in the middle of a longterm project to convert from the old-style, depressing, concrete pits to more natural habitats for the animals. The neat part is that, for the most part, they've just added the nature part to the concrete part, so the animals can come and go from outside to the airconditioned concrete inside.

This one's for you, Betherine - a baby hippo:

And it's parents, in a different exhibit:

Well, Mark's in it too. He's the cute one.

We also have taken several walks by the river. This day we actually took the little boat across from one side to the other.

That's the river, over to the right:

And here's another fountain - a Basilisk. They are the symbols/guardians of the city. They are all over - fountains, architechture, signs, you name it.

Mark, however, insists they are dragons. He is wrong. One day he will accept this. Perhaps even embrace it. Dragons DO NOT have chicken heads. Clearly, this is a basilisk.

Off to read some more about the Swiss culture. Trying to figure the folks out before it's time to go home!