Kuhglocke

Bells are an important tradition in Switzerland.  Wherever we go in the city or in the country, we hear the sound of ringing bells. Each town has a church or churches with bells that ring regularly, usually 4 times per hour with special concerts daily.  In the countryside and mountains, we often hear the ringing of cowbells.  The bells vary in sound based on the size of the animal.  Large bulls can have huge bells hanging from the collar on their neck!  We have seen them on sheep and goats as well- the billy goat with a bigger sized bell and the smaller ones with tiny, higher pitched bells.  They ring even when the animal is resting in the grass.... we've often wondered if this bothers them!  There are also ceremonial bells that are worn when they bring the cows to and from the mountains in a procession.  The cows are also often fitted with elaborate flower headpieces as well, and the most beautiful one wins a prize (a bell!).

Travis received the beautiful bell pictured as a gift from the Tierspital for his work here this year.  It is ceremonial bell and VERY heavy.  Won't that be an interesting carry-on for the airplane!