Bâlehoo

BELFORT FLEA MARKET – Sunday, March 2
Sigh. It is times like these when I long to be back in Basel. Why? Because this Sunday marks the return of the fabulous Belfort Flea Market following its winter hiatus.

The Belfort Marché aux Puces (Flea Market) is billed as “the largest flea market in the east of France.” Held on the first Sunday of every month, from March to December, the outdoor market features more than 200 vendors, with offerings that range from antique glassware, mustard pots and linens to furniture, vintage tins - and much, much more.

As my movers will attest, I’ve found everything from heavy, handblown water goblets and elegant, white ceramic pitchers to antique, rush-seated Proveçal armchairs and beautiful oak desks.

While prices aren’t the cheapest, the quality tends to be excellent and on a sunny morning the atmosphere is magnifique. Even if you don’t buy a thing, it is worth the hour-long trip just to stroll around the bustling square or sit and watch the action while enjoying some café au lait - and maybe a fresh, warm waffle (gaufre).

The market is held in the center of the “Old Town” (follow yellow signs for the Marché aux Puces). Things start pretty early and close up by noon, so make sure to head over early.

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GILBERT & SULLIVAN DINNER CONCERT – Saturday, March 1
The Gilbert & Sullivan Dinner Concert will be held on Saturday, March 1 at 7pm at L’Esprit. Your ticket price includes: your meal (but not drinks), an apero, and a concert by the professional ensemble, The Gilbert & Sullivan Singers’. Cost is 65CHF for members, 85 CHF for non-members, 40 CHF for children up to 16. For more information contact: www.savoyards.ch

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BERGLI DISCUSSION GROUP: DANGEROUS TIMES? - Wednesday, March 5
Head over to Bergli Books for an energetic discussion focused on health and safety. Are other countries overdoing it, or is Switzerland not taking it seriously enough? You will have the opportunity to share your opinions and learn about interesting differences in attitudes and values. Margaret Oertig, author of Beyond Chocolate-Understanding Swiss Culture will lead the discussion.

Bergli Presents: Dangerous Times?
March 5, 6:30-8pm
Location: Bergli Books
www.bergli.ch

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FRENCH CHANSON – March 1-9
Does the sound Edith Piaf’s warble warm your heart? If you like French singers, don’t miss La Filature in Mulhouse. Get a chance to hear the Edith Piafs (and Johnny Hallydays) of the next generation during this week-long celebration of French songs.

Visit www.lafilature.org for more information

Find more tips on great French or German activities in the English Show’s Over the Borders section.

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MUSIC MADNESS
If you’d rather stick to Switzerland for your musical adventures, just step right outside your door. That’s right, the only music museum in Switzerland is located in Basel in Lonhof, right next to Leonhardskirche. This fantastic collection of historical musical instruments is one of the most significant in the world. Added bonus: the museum occupies a 1000 year-old building, which until not long ago servedas Basel’s prison! The music museum is open every day except Monday and Tuesday. Get more information (in German only) at www.musikmuseum.ch.

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A (COOKING) WEEK IN PROVENCE
Believe it or not, Easter is almost upon us. In Europe that means one thing: vacation. If you’re looking for the perfect pre-or post-Easter holiday, drop everything (run don’t walk!) and contact Villa Velleron! This fabulous bed and breakfast, located about 15 minutes outside of Avignon is the stuff of which vacationers’ dreams are made. I have spent many an afternoon lazing around by their beautiful pool staring at the clear blue provençal sky with the scent of lavender and rosemary wafting by my nose.
I have also spent many an evening enjoying some of the best cooking in town. The villa’s owner and talented chef Claudia Hickl (a German native) whips up delicious multi-course dinners for her guests. And now she has decided to share her fabulous cooking skills with the rest of us. New this year, Villa Velleron is offering a week-long Provençal cooking class! With two weeks to choose from (starting March 15 or March 29), visit their website for all the details.

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TO PEE OR NOT TO PEE
My dad and I used to drive from Philadelphia to Boston to pick my sister up from college each semester. We had a system. All liquid consumption ceased at 10pm the night before. Up at 5am. Go to the bathroom. Hop in the car, stopping only at McDonalds to get a (SMALL) black coffee before commencing the bladder death march to New England. I was only 15, but I’d long been aware of the perils of public toilets. So, when I started traveling in Europe, I came prepared - Purell at the ready and Kleenex aplenty.

All that changed in Switzerland. The Swiss public toilet gives women cause to rejoice. From the antiseptic spray in each stall in many a bar bathroom to the aptly named McClean restroom at the SBB train station, I haven’t seen a cleaner toilet since I visited Grandma’s house. Check out their site for all the McClean locations (“Standorte”) in Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and France.

But men in Basel have their own reason to pee with glee. In a word: Pissoirs. These open air, easy access urinals are the perfect remedy to a night of bladder-busting beer drinking. And they’re available 24-7. There are several around town. Here are just a few, complete with handy Pissoir Map (thanks to my “Johnny on the Spot” correspondent Matt Meehan for this info):

• Petersplatz – below the fountain on the corner of the square.
• Martinsgasslein – You’ll find this in a small alley that goes from the Marktplatz up the hill to the Martinskirche. You can access it from the Marktplatz just to the right of the Globus through a little alley stairway
• Gundeli - In a playground in the Gundeli on the Guterstrasse. Just across from the Post Office, at the corner of Liebsbergerstrasse
• Schlusseberg - On the small road going up from the Freie Strrasse toward Munsterplatz in the alley just to the right of the Schlusselzunft restaurant (this one could be a street up or down –if you know for sure email me).

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STUFF FOR SALE?

I don’t kid myself that people read Balehoo for the fondue recipes. You want the great moving sales! Where else in Basel can you find a 10 CHF toaster?!! So, if you are starting your spring cleaning or if the latest company reorg has you heading for home, send me your list of for sale items and I’ll post it here!