Herbst Messe!!

Ok today was the day I have been looking forward to since I first found out I was coming back over to this side of the world. Today the Herbst Messe started which translated in English means Harvest Fair. The city of Basel, Switzerland turns into one big fair (think of your own county fairs back home and times that by about 10!) for 2 weeks and it's when (in my opinion) fall really begins!!

Anne and I met up with the Ladle family from RIA this morning at the Munsterplatz. This is where they have the big ferris wheel that overlooks Basel. If you've been to London it is sort of, kind of, in a way like the Eye of London. Just not as high tech. Anyways, if you got in line before 12:30 you got on for free as opposed to paying 7 Swiss francs. We also joined the Allo family from RIA and their daughter, Gaby, rode with us. It was an amazing view of Basel!! You could see all the different spots where the Messe was taking place.

After that we rode the Bumper Cars twice and I am now suffering from a bit of whiplash!!! It was fun, nonetheless! We ate a quick lunch of brats and quiche and then Anne, two of the Ladle sisters, and I shared some REAL cotton candy. No bagged cotton candy over here!! We then walked towards Petersgasse and on the way we stopped at the Christian Bookstore. Anne and I purchased New Testament Bible's in German to help us w/our Deutsch! We also got the WOW Christmas CD since we've been listening to Christmas music for a week now...anyway...

Once we got to Petersgasse we bought some Swiss candy and then some yummy Raclette. Raclette is basically cheese melted on a plate with onions and potatoes on the side. It is a traditional Swiss meal and I prefer it over fondue to be honest. Right after the Raclette we all shared some fried apple slices with cinnamon and vanilla sauce. It was heaven. Pure heaven!! There was a 2 story carousel that Tiffany Ladle wanted to ride (and Miss Stroud wasn't protesting at ALL!) so we all got on that.

Next was a tram ride over to Barfusserplatz where there were more rides all packed together with eating stalls. We rode something similar to the Scrambler over in the States and then headed over to Messeplatz which is where the bigger rides were. Rachel, Anne, Mrs. Ladle, Elisabeth and I rode the Crazy Mouse which is a crazy rollercoaster type ride that makes you feel like you are about to go off the side!! It was a ton of fun, though and we got a picture as a souvenir!

By this time it was nearing 5 and the girls were getting a bit weary as were Anne and myself. We rode the swings and then decided to call it a day! Of course not before getting some delicious heisse maroni (hot chestnuts) which they sell in Basel from about October until February. MMMM!!!!

Obviously, Anne and I are both stuffed since all we did was eat all day so we are just enjoying a nice, quiet evening at home. I've posted a slide show below of some fun pics from today. It was truly a great time and will be one of the many things I look back on with fond memories!!