As you can see, the Swiss Ms and I are back to blogging and we have a TON of trips we need to share with our readers!
Early last month, we took a trip to Elm, a small, quaint town surrounded by the Glarus Mountains. Since it's not a major city, it took us approximately two hours, with a combination of trains and buses to get there. Why make such a long journey to a small town?
Here, we enjoyed one of our favorite uniquely Swiss experiences so far, "Alpabfahrt" (literally meaning Alp descent). During the summer, dairy cattle graze on the lush green pastures high up in the Alps. When autumn comes, before the weather turns snowy and cold, the cows are brought down from the Alps to much fanfare and celebration.
When we arrived, we witnessed a parade of locals dressed in traditional Swiss clothing signifying the beginning of the event.
Tired from our long journey, we sat down to a hearty traditional Swiss meal.
Many local farmers and families had booths selling a variety of beautiful handmade leather crafts, cheeses and delicious baked goods. There were baby cows and goats, as well as sheep shearing demonstrations.
And finally, the cows! Right on schedule, the cows entered town parading down the main road. With their large bells, you could hear them coming a mile away.
Definitely worth the long journey!
Thanks for reading!
-Herr Cervelat
Early last month, we took a trip to Elm, a small, quaint town surrounded by the Glarus Mountains. Since it's not a major city, it took us approximately two hours, with a combination of trains and buses to get there. Why make such a long journey to a small town?
Here, we enjoyed one of our favorite uniquely Swiss experiences so far, "Alpabfahrt" (literally meaning Alp descent). During the summer, dairy cattle graze on the lush green pastures high up in the Alps. When autumn comes, before the weather turns snowy and cold, the cows are brought down from the Alps to much fanfare and celebration.
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| Happy cows munching away! |
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| Rolling green pastures dotted with quintessentially Swiss Chalets. |
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| Surrounded by the Glarus Alps. |
When we arrived, we witnessed a parade of locals dressed in traditional Swiss clothing signifying the beginning of the event.
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| Women wearing traditional Swiss clothing (which differs from Canton to Canton). |
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| Men carrying large Treicheln (cow bells!), which made a TON of noise. |
Tired from our long journey, we sat down to a hearty traditional Swiss meal.
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| We weren't the only ones to make the journey to Elm! A packed tent full of hungry visitors! |
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| Suure Moscht (Sour Apple cider), Zigerhorali (Macaroni with local Swiss cheese), Adler Brau Lager Hell (light beer) and Alper Rosti (potato hash with bacon and onions). |
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| What meal would be complete without dessert? Plum marzipan strudel. |
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| Little ones! |
And finally, the cows! Right on schedule, the cows entered town parading down the main road. With their large bells, you could hear them coming a mile away.
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| Each cow is decorated with elaborate headdresses to celebrate the occasion The Swiss Ms. wonders if the cows get to eat their party hats when they are finished. |
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| These cows are hoofing it. |
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| Some decorations looked like little Christmas trees. |
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| The cows looked healthy and happy. They were good sports about the whole thing. |
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| Welcome home! |
Definitely worth the long journey!
Thanks for reading!
-Herr Cervelat
The decorations on the cows were prettier than the people's costumes, but they were the stars of the show!
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