Old Dogs and New Tricks by Argentina Ryder

Tuesday, I shall enjoy the town’s annual cattle show. I have listened to bands from all over Switzerland playing music for a competition in the town and they are mostly dressed in native attire.

I just watched a horse pull a wagon through Appenzell and two days ago, I saw an Appenzeller Mountain Dog and traditionally dressed herdsmen and boys moving cattle down a country road. I began to plan my trip to Appenzellerland a year ago and it is greater than all my dreams! Stores in Appenzell sell the lovliest Swiss items and one can watch native craftsmen painting and doing leatherwork. Never in my life have I made as thrilling a journey as this! I have taken cable cars up mountains where traditional Swiss farms dot the hillsides as do intimate places of worship. The food, the coffee, the cheese, all AMAZING!!! Eleven men played alphorns in the center of town an hour ago!!!! I am wearing my Swiss Berner Club 100th Anniversary pin and carrying pictures of the Berners and Appenzeller! I LOVE IT HERE but, after 8 days, I must return to the USA next week.

I am in Paradise! No, not that one! The OTHER one! Yesterday, in a town near Appenzell, called Weissbad, I finally SAW IT! Shepherds and boys in FULL Swiss “dress” AND their APPENELLER MOUNTAIN DOG bringing cattle back to the farm!!!!!! IT WAS BREATHTAKING!!!! And, in Appenzell, on October 4, I shall be present for the CATTLE SHOW!!!! Today and tomorrow, there are Swiss choirs playing, in FULL SWISS dress, on traditional instruments, all over town and the music carries me to another realm. To say that she enjoyed herself would be an understatement. We recently sent Ryder-Walker guest Lisa Allen to the Appenzell region of eastern Switzerland.

Old Dogs and New Tricks by Argentina Ryder