appenzell

I'd read in one of my books about Switzerland about "landsgemeinde" which is the oldest form of direct democracy. Eligible citzens of the canton of Appenzell still meet in the town square on a certain day of the year to vote on laws by raising their hand. This would only happen in Switzerland, and ever since reading about it I wanted to see it. I made the trip to Appenzell on the last Sunday of April. I arrived in time to see the end of the parade and watch all the eligible citzens enter into the square. They were all dressed up and most of the men carried swords which traditionally were passed down from generation to generation and proved that you were eligible to vote. There were so many people that it was hard to see the actual voting. I also couldn't understand any of the speeches that were taking place. I spent some time walking around the cute little town of Appenzell and visited the Appenzeller bier brewery.