Updates from the Basel Tattoo 2010

Sunday 25 July 2010 (Contributed by Fiona and Laura)

 Eight days, eleven performances, two street parades and a lot of Gummi bears later, our Basel tattoo adverntures have come to an end. The last two shows went off without a hitch and the ominious looking rain clouds decided not to open up on us which was appreciated by both cast and audience.

The last day of the tattoo kicked off with the street parade through the old town of Basel, across the river Rhine and into the tattoo arena. It was a great parade, cool weather and a big crowd, and although it wasn't quite as fun following in the footsteps of the mounted performers who left us little presents along the road, it certainly didn't spoil the enjoyment of the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The band displayed our patriotism in the Basel Tattoo cast bar, when it was discovered that the Australian flag hanging in the bar was upside down, and our calls to have it rectified were falling on deaf ears. But in the Aussie spirit of getting in there and getting the job done, a few members took the initiative and took it upon themselves to rectify this grievous error by locating a ladder and switching it around.
 
 
 
 
 
Spirits remain high, despite the fact that more than a few of us have suffered from "Tattoo Tummy" or "Basel Belly" where despite best efforts, our food and drink doesn't seem to want to stay inside the body. But the affliction has been short lived for most of us and we've been back in action very quickly.
Now that performances are over, it's time to say farewell to the friends we've made from other bands, and other cast members who have performed alongside us. We haven't had an opportunity to say goodbye to the performing cows that have marched their way around the arena each night with big Swiss bells around their necks - but I think we'll manage ok.
It's also time to pack up our trunks and squeeze all the souvenirs (lots of Swiss chocolate!) into our suitcases, ready for the 24 hour flight back to Aus - although some of the band will be enjoying a well earned extended holiday around various parts of Europe before it's time to settle back into real life again.
We'll post more photos once we're back home and have had a chance to sort through and find the best ones. Until then, as they say in Switzerland, tchuß!
A special Laura,  Sally and John) who were lucky enough to have Basel as their first tattoo.

A special thanks to our Tattoo first-timers (John, Dan, Peter, Fiona, Laura and Sally) who no doubt have the Tattoo bug and will be lining up for more whenever possible.

 

The previous update from 22 Jul is available here