Photo galleries:
(from most to
least recent)
Photo galleries:
(from most to
least recent)
Sept. 6 to Sept. 9
I really enjoyed the scavenger hunt through Basel and the steps we were forced to take in order to complete or find every building, church, square, and institution. Tuesday and all the other days thus far in the trip, I have found the Swiss people to be quite delightful and very helpful when approached about directions or question I or we might have. When I haven't approached Swiss people, I can understand the stereotype of a reserved nation, one not prone to showing feelings or emotions. I don't find them especially peculiar or strange, but more fascinating and a good different. I feel as if I could sit for hours and watch people pass me by in an open air restaurant or cafe. I think I could live a lifetime here and still not fully understand or appreciate completely the Swiss culture.
Slowly, with every new trip into Basel, I am coming to know and love
this city, bustling and thriving with many unique characteristics
and characters. At this point I can only make weak, skin deep observations
of the city as a whole but from first impressions, I see Basel as
a cosmopolitan metropolis delving into all natures of life and living.
The people, while not incredibly diverse in terms of skin color, are
very diverse in dress, style, and living habits. It seems as if anything
and everything goes, living up to the openness of European culture
which is traditionally how we westerners view them. There may be some
slight overriding factors when it comes to fashion and looks but from
what I've witnessed and seen individuality and non-comformity seem
to be the measure from which everything derives. The Swiss people
and culture fascinate me, as do all other cultures differing from
my own. This is one of the main reasons I am majoring in history,
and I look forward to much more learning and observation time.
As I stated earlier, I had a great time with my group, Ashley and
Christy, and getting to know them better in a unique situation as
we all strived together to accomplish tasks and find our way around
Basel. Frustration was never a factor for me as we all took our time
and enjoyed the journey ever more than the destinations. My favorite
was the Spiesshof on Heugerg 5/7, after we found it, and then lazily
wandered the quiet streets off the beaten path and away from the chaos
and stress of shopping/industrial Basel. This street and particular
section seemed be be frozen in time with quaint apartments and cobbled
roads and a soft, warm breeze floating though it all. The people we
saw were reading in the sun, lazily going about their work as if there
was no hurry in the world, and relaxing as they visited with others.
We bought delicious pastries from a small bakery and enjoyed the moment
in a country far from our won but with a people and culture not all
that far from ourselves.
-Jon Risser