The city of Basel

Basel. Small in size but very powerful through its resources. It has a worldwide reputation for its beautiful mountains and its chocolate. A country with seven million inhabitants, people from all over the world call this place home. A place with forty museums or so and the famous Bird's Eye jazz club where I go to hear wonderful music. It's known for its pharmaceutical business and is home to the Rolex watch. The people here speak Swiss German and a second and/or third language is part of the curriculum in the school system. One of my contacts here was educating me about the banking business when I first arrived. She was explaining how people would use their bank (Swiss banks) to hide money from all over the world.

As I commute around the city, one thing I've noticed here, there is a large population of elderly people in Basel who love riding the tram because I see them every morning! Its a way of life for the elderly here. People here are also very precise and they love their coffee and cigarettes along with the many different cheeses too to choose from. The bikers are dangerous! And always look out for the Tram when you're crossing the streets. It's imperative to pay attention here because it's nothing like the U.S.A or the traffic in the D.

Every morning I wake up to the sounds of those beautiful, wonderful angelic church bells from the church that is on the corner of my block. What a sound! And it just resonates all through my body, every morning. It's my wake up call to start my day!

The House

I'm living in this very old and historical house, here in Basel. Inside are 12 rooms and I share the whole house with another artist who occupies the first floor. Here are some images of the inside. The bedroom and the office/living area and we have this very modern kitchen. The backyard is like something you would see in an architectural magazine. The shrubs have been pruned in such a way, it looks like art! Then, there is a little pond in the backyard along with a terrace.

There is a real energy here and the ambiance is just beautiful. The house is like a think tank. When I think of all the artists who have been asked to come here, I understand why there is this thaumaturge of energy here.

For me the house has given me new strength, in my ability to think for myself. The solitude I have found here is like a medicine for the mind and soul. There is this great freedom here, just to be free and do nothing or something, its up to you.


Here is a quote from Rudolf Steiner: "Just as the eye perceives colors and the ear perceives sounds so thinking perceives Ideas."

This reality of being here, in this house, has a way of challenging you, forcing you to use your brain power to see from a new perspective and from new surroundings. I can personally attest to the quote from Dr. Steiner's writings, how challenging yourself opens you up to see the world around you and in you.


P.S.
We also have a beautiful and wonderful house keeper and there are polka dots in my bedroom for now.