Down the stream in Basel

It’s been about twenty years since my last time in Basel, I hope they don’t remember me. As I walked along the river Rhine, I thought back on the past two decades and how everything has changed, yet stayed the same.

Hanging around in Basel.

Some things never change, such as the strong current of the river. I see young people who float rapidly downstream on large buoys, which seems to be a popular pastime here. With any luck they won’t end up in Germany.

Along the Rhine.

Earlier this morning I crossed the river by the Mittlere Brücke from 1226, one of the oldest passageways across the Rhine still in use. But on the way back I consider other options.

Even though it looks fun to float down the river with a “wickelfisch” (waterproof bag for your clothing), I opt for a less perilous ride. For one Euro I board a line-driven ferry which takes me over the Rhine.

Mittlere Brücke crossing the Rhine.

The beautiful houses along Augustinergasse lead to the magnificent Minster, a gothic cathedral with twin spires. In the back there are two beautiful gardens and I walk down old stairs to visit the crypt. As I look upon the marble sarcophagus of Dompropst Ramstein (!) from 1367, I once again ponder how some things are set in stone.