I'm BAAAACK!

Ladies,

I'm back from my blitz of London and Basel. I've actually been back for a few days, but between national holidays, sister-in-law birthday, and sick kids I have had a hard time getting back to my desk, which is still buried under the debris known as 'leaving husband home alone.'  My grossly messy house is, I swear, the only major downside of skipping town for a week.  Because much of the past week was so incandescently wonderful..

First of all a giant thankyou to JV for being a wonderful hostess and the bestest BFF, as girl-child would say. We had a great time in London and then a similarly great time in Basel. Secondly, it was great to see GDLR and have delicious vodka cocktails at noon, outdoors in the London sunshine (you better believe it New England!), near V&A. I haven't been that decadent in years, and I have to do it again soon! And finally, my Basel host, the Kunstmuseum, has been kindness itself. I could get used to that kind of life, ladies.

Some pithy observations:
The Swiss have square bathrooms. Not the rooms, but the toilets. Yes, they are squarish. No sharp edges to scrape your bum, no, but the overall shape is a square (oddly fitting given that my talk was on the author of the "Black Square"). Is that a testament to their national character?

The food in Switzerland is both outrageously expensive and terrible. The food in London is both cheaper and amazing. In general, ladies, if you come out with a line like my friend LP's "British food is horrendous" you are sadly dating yourself. British cookery has not been horrendous in over twenty years. Yes, my first visit to the UK over twenty years ago was marred by some grossly brown comestibles. But things have changed in the kingdom since. The island's chefs have overtaken much of the continent. And I have to say that at this point it is easier to find interesting, smart food in London than it is in Paris.

London is young. YOUNG. Everywhere you go you see people in their twenties and early thirties. And you see tons of babies. It is younger than New York, and frankly more fun. I'm in love, London. If not for the antisemitism, I'd be all over you.

So that's it, ladies. We are hopefully going back to our original posting schedule. Thank you for remembering me!

Anna