Dark Days Before Freedom....

We are staying in Basel's version of the Hanoi Hilton.  It looks retro and cool, but it is a prison until Sunday.  I am working down the street (a 10-minute walk), but coming back in the evening to work in an attempt to wrap things up before we go to Italy.  I perceived subtle themes of mutiny as my colleagues smirkingly asked me whether people from Genentech earn their sabbaticals or if they just decide to take 6 weeks off whenever.  I had to remind them through gritted teeth that they take basically a month off every year, so they probably come out a bit ahead... Methaphorically and literally it is overcast with some rain; haven't had a decent meal yet and I think the Swiss tried to poison Amy our first night here.  Other than that, it's beautiful.