The word alone is an enigma ! What is a scharyyse? Scharyyse is a shoe scraper in english language!
But now, what is a shoe scraper? In the dictionary it is writen: Shoe scraper: Strip of iron, fixed near the doorstep to clean the
clogs. The scharyyses were used to clean the clogs, dirty from road´s earth and from horse´s shit too. Bat the clogs
are really missing now. The earth too, was sinking under the asphalt and the pavements, and the horses of
course are transformed in horsepower. What is still the utility from these vestiges, I ask you? Today, nobody with the
exception of the dogs are still uping the hind leg above the Scharyyse, as protectors of the centennials traditions. In Basle,
I think I know why these Scharyyses have again their utility! During the three days of carnival, every "Basler" is wearing
clogs, and when it is raining, the confettis replace for a short time the earth, hiding under the macadam. Then, the "Basler"
finds again his ancestral motions, and is cleaning his clogs on the Schaaryyse before he goes into the house. A gentleman
never goes in a house with dirty clogs ! Definitely not!
I suggest if you want to follow me, a little visit from the Scharyyses in the very nice town of Basle. If you have any suggestions,
or anecdotes or something to tell me, do not hesitate to write me. Some Scharyyses are missing, I won´t enter in private
areas and others scharyyses escaped my attention. But, if you mail me this photographs, I will publish them. (All the streets from
Basle are not on the site for the moment, but it is coming, be patient!
Thank you in advance and I hope you have pleasure during this visit.
