Switzerland 2002 Trip Log Part 3

Friday, September 6th (continued) On Saturday and Sunday there would be a big celebration in Meiringen. It was called the Trychler Festival. 3100 Bell Ringers from different villages and town/cities would participate in this huge parade. There were 150 different groups; each group wore different outfits or costumes. Each group had a cadence they marched to; they carried the huge bells around their waist/or on their shoulders - they wore a heavy belt. to keep the bells in place. As they marched they swung the bells from side to side. The Bell Ringers will come early to Meiringen to get ready for Friday and Saturday; tents used as beer gardens and food stalls were erected in fields near the main street. The village was bustling with anticipation of the crowds which would come to view the parade. Many people would line the streets to watch the parade.

Saturday, September 7th today was the Cheese Festival in Magisalp. We took a combination of lifts, cable cars and gondolas up to Magisalp. As we ascended, we saw snow on the peaks of the majestic mountains. The cows were taken up to the higher elevation for the spring and summer months; here they would stay until it was time to come down to their reguar pastures. The cheese stalls were decorated with flowers and bright decorations; at the stalls people tasted and bought different cheeses. The samples at each stall were delicious!!! The fresh Swiss air, and green grass made the cheese taste extra special.

Inside the huge white and stripped tent, long tables were set up for the people to enjoy beer and other traditional Swiss dishes.Various breads with melted cheese, and hot bratswurst were available for lunch. A group of men yodeled, danced and the alpenhorns provided lively entertainment.

Some of the Bell Ringers marched down the road; they came to celebrate the Cheese Festival.

They stood a wooden platform and rang their bells in unison, we enjoyed the music very much. So much talent!!

Later the men's chorus assembled on the platform and sang for the crowd. Their voices were outstanding and echoed across the mountainside.

At 230 p.m. we heard the bells ring; the cows continued to parade down the steep mountain road while small dogs nipped at the heels to keep them in line. A man holding a switch also kept the herd of cows on the road.

When the cows approached the crowd some wandered off in different directions; people scrambled to get out of their way. It was quite a sight to see; the cows were decorated with flower headpieces and large bells hung around their necks. They walked along the cars without a care in the world! It was funny to see so many people running to see the cows -- the four of us included. This was the highlight of the Festival. We sat among the local swiss people and enjoyed our lunch. It was a beautiful day; the blue sky, clouds and mountains made a wonderful back drop for the Festival. Another fun filled day in Switzerland.

Sunday, September 8th