It was a trip filled with nostalgia and also one which made me miss my family since they were not accompanying me this time. We have been taking vacations combined with my marathons, overseas and I have relished the lazy wake up calls that Monsoon and Bryan snooze thru' and the long hours Bryan spends in the hotel room shower and the shouts they get from me to hurry up, before they close the buffet of sumptuous European breakfasts that are a feature of bed-n-breakfast hotels. This trip to Switzerland and France was a business trip and my 7th (or is it my 8th?) visit to Basel, a city I know better than any other European city; and, that is why the nostalgia.
Thann and Lille where I spent the first 2 days were so much like the small towns you see in the french countryside. Thann was especially interesting for its wine growing status and the "wine route" was so scenic and reminded me of all the world war II movies I'd seen. I could imagine the clip clop of the Wehrmacht' boots on the cobble stones and the daring missions of women and men from the french resistance as they went about their furtive business. I remembered Bryan everytime I went to the local deli or cafe to buy myself a croissant or "Pain au chocolat". I choked as I ate cause I couldn't enjoy these things without him. I remembered Dojo for the poignant look on his face when I was packing my suitcase. He somehow knows its going to be a long trip when he see me leave after 10pm.
Basel has the best of three worlds; it shares a border with France, Germany and Switzerland. The city has its towering commercial spaces that display its being the focal point for the pharmaceutical industry as well as the trams which take you to the countryside. I enjoyed and experienced the true meaning of "fine dining" when my ex-boss took me out to dinner to sample the finest cuisine in Basel. I took time out to spend 3 hrs at the super market to buy things for people back home, including Dojo.
The grey skies, freezing rain and sub-zero chill made me even more home sick. I did feel a little cheer when I saw the first snowfall of the season and I visited the christmas market that signals the arrival of festive season in Europe. I bought a small crib with baby Jesus, that is hand crafted by village artisans; something I have been looking out for, since a long time. I, of course, had to hand carry it all the way because of its fragile structure. My arrival at home was announced none too silently by Dojo, who needlessly sped from one room to the other barking aloud. In fact, I am told that he had barked non-stop ever since his ears cocked up upon Monsoon receiving a call from me that I had landed at Mumbai airport. I know he truly missed me and I was happy to have his warm form snuggling against my side as I slid into a slumber.
