Turnip Lantern Procession

Well, it was originally sold to me as the "Lantern Festival" however the official name is the Turnip Lantern Procession. The processional commemorates St. Martin's Day. Children carry lanterns carved from turnips and lit with tea lights (kind of like jack-o-lanterns carried on a stick). Here's a little article I found that has good photos:  http://www.momstotszurich.com/2011/10/rabechilbi-turnip-lantern-festival.html 

The procession goes on after dark throughout the city of Basel. However, our Kita (along with many others) organised a mini festival for all the kids and parents at the daycare. Instead of turnips the kids made colorful lanterns out of tissue paper and soda bottles with little battery powered tea lights in the bottom.

Once we all gathered at the daycare, we started to head outside and sang a little song while "processing" around the nearby park. This takes longer than you would think, with the little guys walking on their own, shaking the lights out of their lanterns, turning around, sitting down, you name it. :) Regardless, it was pretty sweet and cute.

Then we headed back inside for some delicious, warm soup. It was a great chance to see the teachers interact with the kids and to meet some of the other parents, aside from during pick-up.

What happens when you get too close to the "flame"

Another procession spotted on our way home

Silly little video of the procession (after we gave up on the walking hand in hand bit)

Getting Cultured in the Rain

Honestly, the weather in Basel the past couple weekends have been AMAZING. Sunny, 60s / 70s and Basel offers plenty of parks to play & run around outside. However, now we are gearing up for a rainy /snowy weekend. Luckily, there are MANY, MANY museums, about 40 within the city limits. Even toddler friendly -ish.

Option 1: Children's Toy Museum. Oh, how I wish Maw Maw was here as I think she would LOVE this museum. I've never seen so many intricate, animated doll houses and miniature scenes.

Checking out the bears in the cars going round and round

 

Fasnacht scene

Museums Peek-a-Boo

 

Lots of carnival themed displays

Option 2: Museum Tinguely. This was also a real treat that Evan found fascinating. Jean Tinguely is a famous sculptor from Basel. Supposedly, Tinguely's work "satirized the mindless overproduction of material goods in advanced industrial society," which to be perfectly honest makes for cool pieces. Basically, they all look like compilations of "junk" however, they come to life in some way. Some in a very loud way. Throughout the museum there are large step buttons that you can press to put each sculpture in action. The sculptures are best seen in motion so I found a couple links in the notes below.

A long summary including a couple examples of what we saw @2:51, @3:34, @1:50,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmrDEX4P5l8

 

You can see this one in action from the video I found on line here

Someone became a pro at pressing the buttons.

 

  

We wrapped up our visit with our own art lesson

There's also an awesome Tinguely fountain in the center of the city. Worth a look!

Come to Basel and check out the museums! Plus, come visit us. :)

Baby Saving Visit to Basel

I love, love, love it when family & friends are able to visit us in Basel! This time I was particularly grateful as Matt is on a business trip to Brazil for 12 days, leaving monster & I to our own devices, assuming we make it out alive... Luckily, when I called mom hinting a trip out to Basel would be incredibly helpful, she generously agreed.

I was also selfishly excited to go to a couple places that have been on my list that I thought mom would enjoy as well, so we had a packed weekend!

First, we had to squeeze in another trip to the Herbstmesse as seeing Big Man in action is true entertainment.

For Saturday, we made a trip out to Neuchâtel. Just over a train ride from Basel, I'd seen the small town in pictures and it was just a beautiful day to explore a new city. 

Potentially one of my new favorites

 

 

  

 

For Sunday, we finally made it to Vitra Haus. Sneak peek photos below, but check out my mom's blog

We miss her! Come back!

... luckily we will see many of you soon over the holidays!