Museum, museum and Mountian

We had a relaxed start to to the day, 

with a stroll in to the centre of town after breakfast. We were yet to visit the local museum or see inside any of the shops, as they keep some interesting hours. See video below...

 

After learning a little of the history of Appenzell, we headed to Urnasch to visit the Museum of Appenzell customs. We arrived and decided to have some lunch first. There was a small restaurant close by to the museum so we decided to go there. We encountered very friendly people, who didn't speak a word of English, but bent over backwards to make us feel comfortable. While they did have an English version of their menu, I think it had been some time since English speaking folk had walked through the door. Everyone wanted to pitch in to help communicate. It became quite comical. We both ordered the local speciality Cordon Bleu and it was delicious. Very simple, home cooked food done very well. Apparently I've become a beer drinker, as I enjoyed my second beer in two days. (It was called "Lady Beer" on the menu - Shannon)

After lunch, we made a quick pit-stop to the local ATM and headed to the museum. 

We were again greeted by staff who spoke no English, but were very keen to show us a film in English about their customs. This went for about 20 minutes and was quite interesting. The Appenzell people are very proud of their traditions, that are still alive and well today. Shannon and I were in awe of the elaborate festivals and celebrations they hold annually, that involves everyone in town. One of the most interesting and perhaps a little strange, was the cutting of the log. One giant tree is chopped down every two years, decorated and paraded through town by men dressed as traditional herdsmen. This all starts at 5 in the morning and they walk with the log through the streets for hours, stopping at points to receive drinks from the locals. When they reach their end point in town, the tree is then auctioned off, with money raised going to a local charity. Most people bidding on the log are builders or renovators, but sometimes town folk. Where on earth you would put a giant log I have no idea.

Convinced we had a new and quite good understanding of the rich culture of Appenzell, we left heading for the last cable car and mountain top of our visit to Switzerland. This cable car would take us to the top of Hoher Kasten, not quite as high as Santis, but being a beautiful day, we were rewarded with amazing views of the Alps and the valley below. The photos speak for themselves. Tomorrow we leave this quaint little town for the city of Zurich.