Basilisk Hotel Basel

so... es nochet... no die letschte Sache schnäll erledige.. ond scho gli stoht d'Sabine do zom öis abhole! - be dene doch öppe 7 Grad ond dem Räge verosse eschs om so schöner chöne mer ed wärmi! Es sett aso am Mettwoch doch 37 grad warm wärde en darwin.... :O)

so... i ben no a de letschte Vorbereitige ond denn esch es bald sowiet ond mer chöne go. Es esch chum z'glaube aber de Roger esch ab 7ni uf ond no es Gschäft go die letschte Sache erledige... - hoffe er chonnt bald weder hei ond helft mer nochli.... <br>Bes Bald!

... anywhere I asked the policeman and he said that it was a tram into the centre number 8 so off we went on that. <br><br>We got off as soon as we saw the first hint of a fair and it was so cool. They had 8 different areas placed around the city with lots of crazy fair rides and stalls some had roller coasters and the last one had lots of shops selling food and other things like xmas stuff. We went to them all ...

There is yet another fair in Basel right now, the Herbstmesse (Autumn Fair). It is huge! Carnival rides, food stalls, and booths selling trinkets are spread throughout the city. We went out at night to the Münsterplatz to see the action. Beforehand we visited Petersplatz to get raclette over potatoes and steaming Gluwein. Delicious! We also stopped in at the Barf ...

... and are less adventurous. So as we were standing by the exit waiting for them to drive past, I heard my mom shout "Laura!". I turned around and there they were, going deeper into the parking garage instead of towards the exit. We all laughed and I joked about how it's already begun.<br><br>Finally they drove past us out the exit and we waved goodbye. I felt a bit sad the rest of the day. It was such a great visit with my parents and a wonderful road trip through Austria!

...and chocolate too, of course. <br><br>Switzerland was expensive, but we shopped in grocery stores and stayed in some great hostels. We were only in Basel long enough to buy some market strawberries and eat lunch overlooking the Rhine. A quick ferry ride and a church to look in before heading back to the train station.<br><br>Bern was next and probably my favorite Swiss city. A completely medieval city layout and a beautiful rose garden overlooking it all. A lovely place to wander ...

... besom") through the medieval town center along the Rathausstrasse, entering through the city gate from the south. In more recent decades the Cheinbäse have been augmented with carts carrying bonfires, with flames often reaching as high as the houses. The parade is attended by thousands of spectators from Switzerland as well as from countries around the globe, closely packed on either side of the small street. The ...

... with costumes and masks and bands. Damn near froze standing still for that long, but I had a good vantage point for the pictures so I wasn't going to move for fear of losing my spot. After the parade we got stuck into the gluhwein and some hot food then went back to the hostel for a hot shower, then out for dinner. We went to a local brewery that had a restaurant incorporated and had such a good time that we made it a regular while we were there.

... as we wanted to catch the train the took us to Innsbruck in time to see the game. We made it but it was frustrating to see the time run away from us as the people in the front of the ticket-line did'nt show any signs off hurry. Finally it was our turn and we got our tickets for 65 euro, we'll be in Innsbruck at about 15.20 by 3 changes on the way in Sargans, Buchs and Feldkirch.

... the centre of town for the processions, so the idea was that we had enough time to get ready, eat, and make the 20 to 30 minute walk to the Marktplatz (the main square). I, however, managed not to even stir at the sound of my alarm, the result of which was being 15 minutes behind my parents. I was about halfway into the city as the procession started; I managed to make my way quite close to the city centre, but it soon became clear ...