Bâlehoo

TWO BALEHOO NEWSLETTERS IN ONE WEEK?

I know, it’s hard to believe. But there is just so much going on. You know what they say about Bas Vegas–you can’t stop it, you can only hope to contain it.

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NO PAIN, NO GAIN

It’s late summer now, and those bodies we toned up for the beach vacation are perhaps feeling the strain of all the grilling with friends, evenings at the bar and the excitement of Swiss National Day. The midsection might be looking a little more like cottage cheese than a rock hard six pack. If so, here are a couple of pseudo-athletic pursuits that will not only help get you back in shape, but are also a lot of fun and very social.

MONDAY NIGHT SKATE

Are you ready for some rollerblading!? If so, join thousands of your neighbors as they whip around the streets of Basel on in-line skates. Leaving from the Theodorskirchplatz (next to the Wettsteinplatz) at 20:00 every second Monday night, the Monday Night Skate is a great way to get some exercise and see the city by twilight. The skate is free, runs about 10 miles and lasts almost two hours—and since it is on city streets (though closed for the occasion) it is not for beginners. But if you are a skate aficionado, consider joining the group on their next skate (August 23—weather permitting). For more info, see: Monday Night Skate

RHINE SWIM

Not yet had the desire, courage or opportunity to strap a bag to your leg and dunk yourself into the Rhine on a fine summer day? Well, here’s your chance. On Tuesday, August 14, the annual Basel Rhine Swim will take place. Take the plunge from the Kleinbasel side of the Munster ferry and join your fellow Baslers drifting lazily down river.

In case you’re curious, the temperature of the Rhine in Basel yesterday—19.7 degrees Celsius. Can you say “shrinkage”?

More info, see: 2007 Basel Rhine Swim (in German)

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TOGA PARTY!

Gladiator combat. Chariot races. Ancient dance. Roman legionaries. Latin hip hop (no joke). And Mr. and Miss Switzerland 2007! Yes, all of this and more can be seen at the Roman Festival 2007, coming to you on August 25 and 26, in historic Augusta Raurica.

Learn about Ancient Rome and the city of Augusta Raurica, two thousand years ago a thriving city of 20,000 on the borders of the Rhine. Come and enjoy the costumed actors, ancient arts and crafts, music and dance from the times, and food made from original Roman recipes. There are workshops and activities for the whole family. So if you are in the mood for a little veni, vedi, vici, then come, see and conquer your curiosity at the Roman Festival in Augusta Raurica.

Admission is CHF 15 for adults, CHF 10 for kids and CHF 30 for families for a one day pass. Augusta Raurica is located just off the Pratteln exit of the A2 highway, next to the modern city of Augst.

Roman Festival 2007 at Augusta Raurica

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I’M SPARTACUS.

We’ve got more Ancient Rome this week than you can shake a stick at.

You loved the Hollywood Roman epics Ben-Hur and Spartacus, and their modern cousin Gladiator, but haven’t you always wanted to see them in a real Roman theater? Well, wait no more, because now you can.

After 16 years of restoration, the Roman theater in Augusta Raurica, one of the best preserved Roman buildings north of the Alps, is open for business again. And on three nights in August, the theater will be host to screenings of these films about Roman antiquity.

First up will be Ben Hur, the 1959 chariot racing classic featuring Charlton Heston, on Tuesday, August 21. The next night, it’s Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas as the slave rebel who brought Rome to its knees. Then on Thursday, the series wraps up with Gladiator, with Russell Crowe as Maximus.

All shows start at 20:30. Tickets cost CHF 10 for adults, CHF 5 for children. You can buy them in advance at the Museum in Augusta Raurica, or reserve by phone at tel. +41 61 816 2222 (10:00 - 17:00 ). You can also buy tickets the day of the show starting one hour before showtime. Come with a picnic or buy food on location—either way, don’t miss the chance to sit in a true Roman setting and watch these heroes of the silver screen under the stars.

Augusta Raurica Theater Program

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CONTRA-BANNED

Unless your hobby happens to be surfing the Swiss government website (fun for all ages!), you might not have heard about this. For all the Americans out there, pay close attention—since the US of A is not part of the EU, you’ll have to leave your scrapple and Taylor pork roll at home.

New Regulations on Carrying Food Products into Switzerland - Swiss government website

Translation:
“Since July 1, 2007, travelers entering Switzerland are no longer permitted to carry animal-based food products originating from countries outside of European Union; this includes meat, eggs, fish, honey, cheese and other milk products – it also includes sandwiches made with these items. This concerns all countries in the Americas, Africa and Asia, as well as closer destinations, such as the Balkans.”

“Travelers must declare these items and forfeit them at customs. If discovered and you did not declare them and are entering Switzerland via the green (i.e., “nothing to declare”) exit, penalties of several hundred francs may be levied.”*

(*This is my translation. I do not vouch for its soundness of grammar or its legal veracity. Use it in a court of law at your own peril… )

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ALPHALIVE — A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

The Alphalive Course is for anyone wishing to explore the Christian faith. It’s relaxed, non-threatening, low key, friendly and fun. There is a meal together at the beginning of each session which gives you an opportunity to get to know each other. Listen, learn, discuss and discover. And ask anything. Alphalive is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile. And it’s supported by all the main Christian denominations.

At the moment, this is the only course in the Basel area running Alphalive in English. There are 680 courses running in Switzerland, this one being one of only 10 in English.

If you are interested, you are invited to our Introductory Supper on Tuesday, September 4 at 19:00. The course itself starts Tuesday, September 11 at 19:00. For further information and to register please contact Mandy Muckett at +41 61 461 1001 or Petra Ramskogler at +41 79 569 7209, or via email at alphabasel_en@hotmail.com.

For more information on Alphalive, check the websites:

http://www.alphalive.ch/
http://www.alpha.org/

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Do you have news or information to share? Send it to matt.meehan@balehoo.com