First Weekend

While we have ideas for some big outings in the future, we decided to stay local this weekend.  There was a decent amount of rain predicted for Saturday and I wanted to become more familiar with navigating the city. Saturday morning we did what people the world over frequently do when it rains, we went to the mall.  We caved and got McDonald's for lunch.  The combination of the kids' pickiness and Layla's allergy really does impact our decisions about where and what to feed them.  (It also helps keep our waistlines from expanding too much; I have seen sooo many amazing looking desserts here, but since Layla can't have them, I haven't tried one for myself yet.)  McDonald's was the first place I used one of Layla's allergy cards. The girl behind the counter understood right away, and it was nice that the McDonald's menus actually contain a list of all allergens in their various products.  It may very well be this way in the U.S., too, but we don't do enough fast food at home for me to know.  I am happy to report that a Swiss McDonad's cheeseburger tastes exactly like you would expect it to.

The walk home from the mall includes this:

In the afternoon the kids spent some time riding their bikes and playing with chalk before venturing to the playground next to our complex.  Layla has added a boy Oliver to her list of Switzerland friends, which includes a random boy from the playground on our 2nd day and a girl named Isabel who we met at a restaurant Sunday morning.  Sadly for Layla, she will likely never see these kids again!

Layla demos her bike next to two of the many, many public ping-pong tables in this city.  What?!

Sunday was a much nicer day.  I mentioned previously that our immediate neighborhood didn't have too much to it.  I may have been wrong.  To the right of our building is a large park.  In front of our building is a huge construction area.  I believe they are building the retail site you see in this rendering below.  I think that what you see on the left is the Swiss International School and the building behind the small trees is our complex.  I think.




Kind of right where the grassy park and the dirt lot meet, is a random building with some tables outside but no sign really indicating its use.  We poked our heads in yesterday and found it's an adorable cafe/restaurant/bar called the Bahn Kantine.  We went there for brunch today and will be going back.

We then headed to the world famous Basel Zoo.  I purchased a membership so the kids and I can come back any time.  The zoo is huge, so there are still things we didn't get to see and do, even after a full afternoon there today.

 The kids were beyond excited to find both Dory and Marlin in the same tank!

The penguins from Madagascar!

 Layla was a happy girl viewing her favorite, the flamingos!

 Josh poses with another Swiss Cheese smile :).

Beautiful birds.

Chasing chickens.

Watching the farm animals head in for the night.  These cows were fast!

After a long day at the zoo we headed back to the apartment for dinner and fun in the courtyard.  We met some other children there, including 6 year old Tyler and his 2 year old sister, English speaking kids with no parents to be found. After baths, the kids rounded out their night watching Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith with Chris.  Pretty much a perfect day.

The view from the tram on the way home.

Two tired kids.