Basel Experiences

Hello there! We have neglected our blog for over a week now. In our defense all I can say is "lousy WiFi on the boat".
If I had to describe the river cruise in a few words, it would be eat, drink, sleep, repeat, but have to add the wonderful sights along the Rhine and many educational tours of the ancient cities we visited. What a learning experience!
Our dinner companions during the cruise were Tom and Norma. Lovely couple from Pasadena. They were on their way home after spending 3 months in Switzerland. She is a retired accountant and administrator of nursing homes. He is a distinguished professor of seismology at Caltech, but was lecturing at Zurich university. Fascinating fact about earthquakes and tsunamis.
Right now we are enjoying our 3rd full day in Basel. Going from cafe to cafe, slowly strolling medieval streets and alleys.

Almost forgot! The picture depicts the sculpture of a market table full of produce. It was commissioned by Zandoz labs in the mi 80s. In 1986 there was a tremendous accident at Zandoz plant, the burning of blue dye. The runoff from that disaster went to the Rhine, killing all life in it.
The artist refused to have her name associated with the company and gave it to the museum, together with a new empty table with a poem about life and death.
Very touching 😣

To be continued...