Day 14 * A Day in Appenzell * 2/6/08

After breakfast it was into the three cars and off to Appenzell for the day. Denise & I travelled with Margrit. She took us through her father & grandfather's village of Hündwil, then into Appenzell town for a brief stop & on to Ebenalp. Hündwil was the last village in Appenzell Canton (which was the last canton to do it also) to give women the vote and did this in 1987. Today the village still manages its affairs by a public meeting and show of hands for any vote. We took the gondola to the top of Ebenalp, 1600 m. The view was more stunning than I remembered, partly through the weather, but also the spring pastures were lush green with their flowers in bloom, and the winter snow still on the melt, with a few waterfalls to be seen as well.
We walked around the top, saw some rock-climbers and a few birds called Alpen-raben, quite different from the common Rabens, or ravens. These ones were swooping over us quite closely & Philippe said they were looking for cheese & would take it from the hand.
Margrit arranged for us all to have lunch at the restaurant there & we had the noodle dish Denise had the other nite without the mince and with more cheese!!– much nicer.
After lunch we went down the path and through a cave where a giant bear fossil had been found, to the Wildkirchli. Terry didn't like heights & stayed back. Mary & Margrit were having fun chasing alpine flowers & butterflies (Schmettering). The cave & chapel were still impressive. The chapel had been there some centuries & became the focal point for a hermit monastic colony. The preacher’s house was a 2 room hut joined to the side of the mountain. Mary, Denise & I went a little lower & coming round a corner found ourselves facing another guesthouse. Coming back up was more difficult for Denise than I thought it would be, her lungs struggling in the thinner air.But she said it had been worth it (when she got her breath back!).
Back on to the gondola at the top where it was a mild 19° & down to the bottom with the temperature now 25°. From there it was back to Appenzell & danger territory for cameras that seemed to have a mind of their own. Souvenir shopping in Post Card Switzerland. We spent a good hour or so wandering around along with heaps of other tourists of all types. By now the temperature was well over 30º and in one shop window facing the sun their thermometer read 42º
A wee drive to one of the Appenzell cheese factories where we saw a movie incorporating some tradional customs and the modern techniques, saw some cheese being presses, more souvenirs, then a sleepy drive home.
Dinner was BBQ organised by Philippe, Susann, & Kathrin. Pork, sausage & horse, all with a tuna & barley salad & mixed braised vegetables, more wine & water. The Friebes have fed us well all week and their hospitality has been overwhelming.
We lasted till Paul came home from work at 10 pm, then back to the hotel. We settled the account (CHF 480) then the chef offered me some salami & when I said it was good, got presented with three salamis. Wow! It was their honour to have us stay with them.