Delighting in Basel
Long past sundown
My train glides into the station
The weekend is over.
Three languages tell me
“Now arriving at Basel SBB”
I’ve heard it so many times
I understand all three without thinking.
The crowd surges up the escalator
The babble of many languages welcomes
Trains carry everyone, everything, everywhere
Backpacks, suitcases, snowboards, kids
A friendly buzz.
Trams rumble through the station
Signs flash… 5 minutes, 4 minutes, …
I’ll stroll instead.
Rain drizzles on me
Statues, a park, a cathedral, fountains
Familiar now, but still intriguing
Winding streets, stairs, quiet roads, cobblestones
Crowds in the restaurants, laughing
Vendors in Barfusserplatz, still
The town is alive.
I find my hotel, ditch my bag
Outside again to drink it in, just a bit more
Bridges draw me across the Rhein
Tight sidewalks, tunnels, buildings hundreds of years old
Church yards overlooking the river
A textured panorama
A city so real, so deep.
Coffee and wireless networks call me… time to work
It’s Sunday night, dark, and raining
But drummers and pipers pass me on a narrow street
Lunatics.
I love this place.