Revisiting that weird thing that I saw this weekend.

Thanks to my friend Sarah's inimitable Google-ing skills, today I discovered that the strange procession I saw in Andermatt last weekend is a tradition called Woldmanndli, or men of the forest. Apparently they parade around making loud noises with cowbells and taking care of the forest that protects the town from avalanches. I'm not sure if it makes it any less strange, but at least I know what I saw!

I also discovered something even more amazing: apparently this website, "Living Traditions of Switzerland", has a whole section dedicated to "Wearing of masks and tomfoolery"! How did I not discover this earlier?!? I have definitely missed out on some good Swiss tomfoolery...