What is up with the bells?!?!?!?

So our little, piddly temporary cell phones don't have the most reliable alarm clock function. Obviously, not waking up for the jobs we've always dreamed of is NOT an option. The search for a standard alarm clock has turned out to be surprisingly difficult. One finding was the crappiest little alarm clock you've ever seen for 15 euro. Sam and I are far too thrifty to pay approximately $22 US dollars for this Big Lots worthy item. During our search we stopped to ask a street vendor who was selling pizzas and hot dogs if he spoke english. He answered, "OF COURSE!" as if this were a most insulting inquiry. We asked if he knew where we might find one and he rubbed his chin in thought. After a moment's pause, he finally answered with frustration, "downtown has all dis bullsheet anduh you vant somezink specific!?!?!" We all instantly laughed, ultimately never getting an answer, but an offer for 2 pizza at only 3 euro. Our quest finally ended at the "PXtra" where we located an alarm clock for only 6.99 US dollars. Much better.

Can someone please explain what is up with all the bells? Goodness gracious. Buildings all over town are apparently strewn with bells, and the clangs come from all directions. They all chime on the quarter hour and it is almost impossible to gauge the time from the chimes, because there's little differentiation other than the top of the hour. Sunday, at 9:30 in the morning, the bells cranked up and kept going and going and going. Sam and I kept looking at one another in disbelief, wondering if something was wrong. They rang for F . I . V . E . M . I . N . U . T . E . S . S . T . R . A . I . G . H . T . Are you kidding me? They were loud and there was no rythm or melody. The same thing happened again at 7 that evening. Is this a church thing? Is the 9:30 chiming an alarm to wake up for church and be there by 11:00?

At a nearby restaurant we frequent, there is a little old lady who has two arm-gripping crutches she uses to steady herself and a little old man with a walker. Three times now, I've seen the two of them dining together, drinking a beer and laughing wildly as they chat. They smile so tenderly while listening to the other and seem to share a most precious admiration for one another. However, once they've finished eating and having their last sip, they always get up, and go their separate ways without a touch or kiss or any acknowledgement that they even know each other. It's really blowing my mind how they just walk in separate directions like that. I want so badly for them to brush hands or hug or even just walk away side by side. Very interesting...