Guten Tag, meine liebe Leser! That’s “Good day, my dear readers!” in German, one of Switzerland’s four official languages. On this leg of my journey, I embarked on the 43.4km trek from Grenchen to Basel, Switzerland.

Along the way, I noticed an interesting pattern: the Swiss are meticulous about their timekeeping. Not surprising, given that this country is the cradle of the world’s finest watches. Every town, no matter how small, has a beautiful, impeccably maintained clock tower. In fact, as I departed Grenchen, home to the famed Swatch Group, I couldn’t help but muse, “Die Uhr tickt, aber die Zeit bleibt stehen.” That means, “The clock ticks, but time stands still.” Quite philosophical, isn’t it?

My journey from Grenchen to Basel was filled with rolling hills, serene pastures, and pristine Swiss architecture. Upon reaching Basel, I was met with a vibrant city that beautifully blends the old with the new. The city’s trademark, the Basel Minster, is an architectural marvel that stands as a testament to the city’s rich history.

Now, having completed 100 days on the road, I’ve covered a total of 2784.3 kilometers. From the quaint town of Lure to the industrious city of Montbéliard, the charming Grenchen, and now, the lively Basel, every stop has offered a unique taste of culture and history.

As a local song goes, “Basel, du bist mein Zuhause, Basel, du bist mein Glück.” That means, “Basel, you are my home, Basel, you are my happiness.” These words resonate with the love the Swiss have for their picturesque city, and I too, have fallen for its charm.

As I wrap up, let me leave you with this Swiss proverb: “Man ist, was man isst,” or “You are what you eat.” With the delightful palate of Swiss cuisine, I couldn’t agree more! Until my next update, auf Wiedersehen! That’s “Goodbye!” in German. Stay tuned for more of my adventures!

Day #85: Basel, a city that oozes with culture and history. As I waddled my way through the city, I discovered the Museum Tinguely. Named after the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, it houses a remarkable collection of his kinetic sculptures. “Bewegung ist Leben,” Tinguely once said (movement is life). His words echo as his artworks come to life with a flick of a switch.

Along the Rhine, a familiar melody wafted through the air. It was the Totentanz, a haunting piece by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger. The city’s Münsterplatz is believed to be the inspiration behind it, a tale of death dancing with the living. “Totentanz, du grausames Spiel,” I heard a local murmur, (Dance of Death, you cruel game).

Basel, a city that lives and breathes art. Whether in the rhythmic dance of Tinguely’s sculptures or the eerie notes of Honegger’s composition, the spirit of the city is truly captivating. Ah, the joy of being a gnome on the go!