In a year gone by I have done so much and also feel like I just arrived! Visiting 12 countries, hiking, skiing, snowboarding and camping the Alps, exploring castles and savoring cuisine has made for an amazing year! With all I have done, I suppose it is only normal to get a bit exhausted and August was a month of relaxing, recovering and realizing how much fun Basel really can be. In the 4 weekends that were in August, 3 of them were spent in Basel sitting by the Rhine and swimming in it!
The Rhine in the summer is the place to be for everyone. The Rhine (swim-able through the heart of the city) is the hang out, bar-b-que, sun tanning, swimming spot for all people. Different sections of the river are often taken over by different groups (hippies, nudists, families...) and they all have their own atmosphere, bar, restaurants and fun. My friends and I love it! There are always people jamming out with guitars, ukuleles, drums and other fun instruments. The buvette (seasonal/portable bar) where we hang out has cheap ice cream and cold cidre (cider beer). We spend evenings at our favorite bar...an area that used to be a train yard; now it is a huge field, unused railroad tracks, and dilapidated buildings that they serve drinks out of. There are always multiple genres of music being played depending on what part of the area you are hanging out so it is always a fun social evening!
Weekends have become meeting my super cool friends (who I met through Couch Surfing) on Friday nights, going to the old train yard bar and staying out late enjoying the music and people watching. Saturdays I get up noon-ish, migrate to the river where we enjoy swimming, floating, napping in the sun, reading and relaxing. Grab a quick bite to eat at the cheap Indian places in the neighborhood, eat by the river, and then make our way back to the train yards for another night of fun.
I have discovered a very fun side to Basel that I didn't know existed. Most of my friends I have met through Couch Surfing. My good friend Renee, from French Canada, lives about 45 minutes from me and we have spent a few very fun weekends together! From camping, Jazz fest and now a weekend of Hip-Hop and swimming, we have really hit it off! I visited her in Biel/Bienne and we enjoyed a weekend of hip-hop shows and spent the days by the lake swimming, reading and napping!
I can't believe that it is already September. I have another adventure with Renee planned and get to see my parents! Yay!
Photos on the way!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
