I love people, their cultures, and their customs. So naturally I was really excited to go to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to see the life style of the Amish Country. I was worried, however, about taking pictures. I didn't want to treat these people like they were a zoo exhibit. Plus, the Amish believe getting pictures taken is vain, so they don't really go for that. I finally decided that I wanted to remember the things I saw and learned. So I did take pictures, but I employed some stealthy practices so that I wouldn't offend anyone (and so that they wouldn't see me). I'm so tricky.
AMISH COUNTRY
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, also known as Amish Country, is a huge center for two sects of 'plain people' - the Amish and the Mennonites. According to the Mennonite man at the visitor's center, who parenthetically thought my Mormonism was just as curious as I thought his religion was, the Amish and Mennonite Christian doctrine is essentially the same. But, he said, the Amish are more "old fashioned."
Both the Amish and the Mennonites have strict dress codes. Women cover their hair as a sign that they have accepted Christ.
A large majority of both sects live on farms and speak Pennsylvania Dutch in their homes.
The Amish and conservative Mennonites use no electricity or modern devices (like phones). This means that on their farms they do all their planting, plowing, and harvesting by hand. Or horse.
It also means that they pump their own water,
wash their clothing by hand,
and drive buggies that go a maximum of 10 mph.
Along with the Amish, Lancaster County is also famous because of all the covered bridges it has. The bridges were built in the 1800s using strictly wood. The cover is intended to protect the bridge from being eroded by the elements.
But the most interesting thing that I learned this trip is that women are the same wherever you go, however you are raised. And I have some kindred spirits among those Amish women. Why? Two reasons. First, because I saw three of them mowing their own lawns. That they did it with old fashioned push mowers is entirely beside the point. They didn't leave to the man what they could do themselves. My kind of ladies. Second, because personalities are strikingly obvious in the way that women hang their clothes on the line. Some lines had a hodge-podge assortment of clothes, towels, etc. Others had some rudimentary organization, like the one I got a picture of. But there was one that was the quintessential model of an ocd organizer. Her line was hung up not only in groupings by person, but also by size and color. I wanted to knock on her door and give her a hug.
18 comments:
Oh, I love Lancaster county! Don't you think it would be interesting to live there?
There has always been a part of me that wants to be Amish. Back to the simple life. Although, I would dearly miss running water. Electricity I might be able to do without...but not running water...or epidurals.
How cool. I just watched a movie about the Pennsylvania Amish and from the looks of your pictures and your descriptions, the movie was WAY accurate. You'll have to check it out some time. It's called "Saving Sarah Cain". It's one I hope to own some day.
I just watched "Saving Sarah Cain" recently too! Of course, my family owns it, because they own like every movie. But I agree--looks very accurate.
P.s. I think you are brave for sneakily taking pictures.
Wow, how would I live without my washer, dryer, dishwasher, vacuum, car, dvd player...Very different lifestyle. It is really cool to visit an Amish community though! I went out to eat at an Amish restaurant on a church history trip and I still remember how cool it was and how the food tasted so similar to my grandma's home cooking.
I saw that movie last summer. Cute.
So, did you go to the huge market? They probably have more than one, but I only remember going to one. Oh, and have you gone to the Hershey? I thought it was pretty cool as a young teen and I remember it was in PA too.
Lyndi - We passed a few markets, but the kids were napping and we didn't want to stop. And we never did make it to Hershey. I would loved to have done the Chocolate Tour part, but Sam and I aren't really into amusement parks anymore. (Barring Disneyland, of course.) I think we're just getting old. Anyway, we opted out on Hershey. I hope we don't regret it!
We, too, watched "Saving Sarah Cain" the other night, and I mentioned to Jimmy, "we have to go there someday". It all looks so interesting!
We been spending most our lives living in an Amish paradise...I've churned butter once or twice living in an Amish paradise....
;-)
This looks like a fun and interesting excursion. I'm always wanted to go to Amish Country. I'm glad you got to go.
The Amish and Mennonites are so fascinating! My mom bought me these fiction books when I was a teenager written by a Mennonite about different Amish people and their growing up. They are a cool read. In Indiana the Amish place to go is "Amish Acres" (sounds hokey, I know) and Shipshewana. A good friend of mine married a Mennonite guy and was Mennonite for awhile. It was really interesting and cool to see all the things she learned to do for herself like gardening, sewing and canning. (But, the Mennonite thing didn't work out for her.)
Anyway, I'm so glad that you got to go to Lancaster County! You know, I bet the Amish get stereotyped just as much as Mormons are.
Amish Paradise... lol I remember that song.
So what would be our equivalent of a clotheline? A place where everyone can see what kind of person you are? A blog I guess but that's just what you let people see. I've heard it said that you can tell what someone is really like by looking in their underwear drawer. The Amish just leave there's on the line! I'm glad you took the pictures. I felt like I stepped back in time with funny reminders from the present like the sign on the buggy!
When I went to Amish country with some friends, I totally got checked out by this Amish guy. I mean it was really obvious! Pretty sweet, eh? Thats my funny Amish country memory.
I'm glad you decided to take pictures. What an interesting lifestyle. I hear about the Amish (probably like some people hear about the Mormons) but it doesn't seem real. That is a place I would like to visit one day.
That was SOOO cool!!! Thanks sooo much for making us all a part of your fun lives! I love you & miss you & can't wait to see you and give you a BIG hug!!! :)
I loved visiting Lancaster County as a kid. Or maybe I just loved buying the jewelry they sold there. I can't wait to see you! Of course, I'll have to. We're leaving here June 1. Maybe I can see you sometime that week.
I'm sure that would be a most interesting visit. I love how you notice the small details like how the women hang their clothes. You're great.
PS sorry I haven't been on here for a while. My computer is doing some weird stuff and half the pictures don't show up...last week NO pictures would show up. What in the world is going on?! Anyway, sorry. I really haven't been avoiding you. :)
Hi Janae. Love that you took so many fun pictures in Lancaster. Tarl served his mission out there and I always got beautiful pictures of the land out there. Have fun on your travels.
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