More pics and post from Basel

Drinking gluwein...or hot spiced wine, really becoming a favorite.
















Freezing, but still in the Christmas spirit














Enjoying snakebites at Mr.Pickwick's Pub

To celebrate the Christmas season, and enjoy one more Swiss city before heading home for the holidays Hayley, Allie, and I traveled to Basel in northern Switzerland. It was a nice change to be in a larger city that has more of a German influence. Everyone speaks German, but there is also an obvious French influence also because of the location. Swiss are just confused! When we arrived Saturday morning, we were surprised to see blue skies and commented on it not being very cold, until about an hour later when the wind picked up. That is one thing we are free from in Lugano...wind. We quickly retracted our comment when we were later walking around the city saying, "burr" every other minute. We enjoyed the Christmas spirit at the markets all afternoon and then attempted to find a pub to warm up in during the afternoon. Looking across the bridge over the Rhine River, it seemed crowded and full of action. Noticing a few Carlsberg signs we headed down a smaller street, until we realized we had entered the red light district. When we witnessed some cat calling, we quickly walked away from the area and ended up in a safer bar, but full of older people and smoke of course. After warming up and playing a few games of connect four (thanks Allie), we headed back across the bridge. We had just discovered that our favorite Irish Pub from Luzern, also has a location in Basel. Inside cosy Mr.Pickwick's we found the last table in a bar full of men (younger this time) watching rugby. After enjoying some snakebites, we were disappointed to find out they were no longer serving food, but found a great thai place called Nooch. It ended up being great and eventful with the strange American man sitting next to us, that kept asking what kind of favor he could do for us in Switzerland. When he claimed his brother was the head doctor in San Moritz our ears perked up, but he was still a bit shady to trust. The next morning, we had a nice leisurely time waking up at the Hotel Rochat and then headed out for some more Christmas shopping at the markets in Barfusserplatz and of course more hot wine (gluewein). Names in Germany always cause the giggles! It was quick, but productive weekend. Just the scenery on the train, made the trip worthwhile. The snowy alps are quite picturesque and made it hard for me to ever close my eyes...besides the fact that I am so excited about coming home in less than two days!! See you all soon!