We currently have the impression that there is (almost) more going on in the Bernese Oberland than in the Zurich region. (Of course, that could also be because we were still working at our jobs in Zurich and had less time for leisure activities!) Whatever the case, there is a lot going on in the Kandertal during the summer and holiday season. Just seven days ago we rocked the Niesen. And now, over the weekend of August 18-20, the Country Festival in Kandersteg is the order of the day.

The event was announced when a large tent and stalls were erected on the square in front of the train station. The day before the festival started, a couple of huge American Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks with even bigger trailers behind drove through Kandersteg. They are now on the festival grounds and are naturally a major attraction. Another attraction, however, is the line dance, which attracts hundreds of dance enthusiasts dressed in western style. They are mostly older semesters; including grandmothers dancing to country music in leather boots, cowboy hats and fringed leather skirts. Some of the younger dancers looked like Indian squaws – all that was missing was Winnetou stepping onto the dance floor…

The evening reminded us of our visit in the legendary Tootsies in March 2008, where we listened to country music for an evening and enjoyed Jack Daniel’s
No. 7.

PS. If you want to know more about line dance, you should read here.