It is exactly one year ago that I was in Zurich. I vividly remember the time when a very good friend of mine was battling the big C disease. Today, he is in excellent health. "Herman I never thought I would live to see this day." Kelvin said. He is a great cook. My week long stay in Zurich was filled with good food and wine. I had delicious Chinese steamboat one night and Thai red curry the next; clay pot rice to fried noodle; bird's nest soup to roast pork, Swiss-style. It was like home away from home, and I am glad I went back to visit him again.
Basel is known as the city of three countries, Switzerland, Germany and France. Bjorn and Toy live there, and I got the chance to visit them this time. They took me to medieval villages in France, and our first stop was Eguisheim, voted one of the most beautiful villages in France and part of the Alsace wine route. Although Christmas was just round the corner, the village was quiet and tranquil. Historic half-timbered houses, tiny balconies and pointed rooftops are some of the distinctive characteristics in this tiny village of less than 2,000 inhabitants. "Come in Spring or Summer! Flowers are in full bloom and it is very beautiful!" Toy said with excitement. I can only imagine what it would be like when weather gets warmer. Our next stop was to Riquewihr, another medieval village along the Alsace wine route. As we walked through the village, I saw that the village is fortified by a wall with the towering Dolder Tower leading us to the main street. It was packed with people, and full of festivities. Decorative lights and Christmas ornaments were displayed at almost every windows and doors of households and small business owners. Our last stop was Colmar, the wine capital in Alsace. Colmar is the birthplace of Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor best known for designing the Statue of Liberty in New York. As daylight descended in the Alsace region, led lights sparkled in white, blue and red that one would associate with Christmas celebration. "It's so tacky and cheap, unlike the scene in Spring Summer where each houses is decorated with assortment of plants with different colored flowers. Come back and you will see the difference." Bjorn insisted. I promised I would, someday.
That night, we had a delicious dinner in a town in Germany which is less than 10 minutes drive back to my friends' apartment in Basel. How cool is that.
Sunday morning, Bjorn was my personal guide in Basel. Basel shares its borders with France and Germany, which makes it one of the most attractive cities in Switzerland. The city is among the most important culture centers in the country. Yearly it hosts Art l Basel in the summer. Art I Basel is the world's premier fair for modern and contemporary art, and attracts major galleries and wealthy art collectors from around the world. We crossed the Rhine River to enjoy the city view and later took a boat ride back to the other side. The boat was run by the strong current in the river. Each time it just pulled the boat to either side of the river, pollution-free. Maybe some countries should learn from this.
I ended my stay in Switzerland enjoying the lemon pound cake Toy got for me back at Kelvin's apartment in Zurich. Lemony sweet from great friends in a country I enjoy visiting time and again.
