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Article: Basel, Boring? Not on your life. This city is a Swiss mix of architecture, art and eateries.
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- November 27, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Basel has an image problem.
Even Baselers take a self-effacing and self-deprecating view of
their city. As German playwright Rolf Hochhuth, who lives in the
city - Switzerland's second largest, after Zurich - once said,
"English understatement seems like megalomania when compared to that
of the people of Basel."
The city's reputation may be due to a number of factors:
+ Its principal businesses are trade, banking and chemicals.
+ As a transportation hub, it's often considered merely a place
to travel through.
+ The scenery is minimal - no craggy alpine peaks, no cows
grazing in lush green meadows, no chalets, chocolate or cheese.
I confess that for a long time I held the same ...