Welcome back everyone to our Lancaster PA road trip part 10 and picking up where we left off last.
All through our time in Lancaster the Amish were an ever-constant presence. It seemed that throughout our goings and comings we were watching them travel about either by horse and buggy, on push scooters, walking and yes even some driving cars. They were shopping at the grocery stores, using the community banks, and at all the places you and I would go and why not! They are people. People that have lives with every bit the same amount of good times bad times and everything in between. They are people trying to survive like the rest of us in a world full of uncertainties. We discovered the longer we were there the more we seemed to empathize with their everyday walk as well as their perseverance to adhere to their beliefs without expecting others to accommodate them. One evening we took a walk along the busy roadway near our camp ground. Wow, were we ever surprised at how uncomfortable it was walking as cars buzzed busily by us. Then we began to realize the Amish did this day in and day out. As we sat out on a stoop one day overlooking that same roadway we observed cars passing the Amish even as oncoming cars were approaching. Our hearts would stop wondering if the next sound would be the screech of tires and screams of someone getting hit. The Amish didn’t seem to bat an eye rather just kept on going about their business without concern (guess this is faith in action). A 2013 news article noted the number of crashes between buggies and cars was the highest in 2006. It involved 78 incidents in PA.
Well this is it for today. If you by chance didn’t see a previous part please click on one of the links below and be whisked directly there,
- Lancaster PA Road Trip – 1 of 14
- Lancaster PA Road Trip – 2 of 14
- Lancaster PA Road Trip – 3 of 14
- Lancaster PA Road Trip – 4 of 14
- Lancaster PA Road Trip – 5 of 14
- Lancaster PA Road Trip – 6 0f 14
- Lancaster PA Road Trip – 7 of 14
- Lancaster PA Road Trip – 8 of 14
- Lancaster PA Road Trip – 9 of 14
Please don’t forget to check out Audrey at Audrey Horn Photo.
We hope to see you soon for more on this series and until then we hope you have a great day and remember to keep looking up!
That was my impression as well. I just didn’t sense any anxiety or stress from them, when I was watching your video. There is much that we could learn from their ways – sometimes, the simple life truly is better.
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So true about advancements in technology. The Amish we spoke with had a peace about themselves and it could very much be the less clutter of technology. We learned a lot from being with them and observing their simple yet full lifestyles.
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There is something so beautiful and serene about these videos that you post from your travels in Amish country. With all of our technology advancements and innovations, I wonder if we have somehow lost track of the simple things that bring joy to our lives?
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You’ll be doing these too and we can’t wait.
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That looks SOOOO fun! I would LOVE to do that!
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Thanks for stopping by and sharing Kevin. We enjoyed the time with the Amish.
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great post
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So true Ann. It is their belief system and they are trying to work it out like we are trying to work out ours… “…with fear and trembling”.
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Ahh you are so kind to lift us up like this. We try hard to use the best of the countless photos we take along the way.
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Yes. Isn’t it so true how it takes us a long time to realize the importance of safety, whether its a helmet, ear protection or seat belts. We reflect back and wish we had paid more attention. Think of the young folks with music blasting in the ear buds.
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The real truth is only in the mind of the Amish Tom.
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Yes it does and you’re so good at it. The picture appears very clear, you must be using a very good camera.👌Please keep it up.
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ah, just a random question … people ride horses all the time without much protection, although in the past several years riding helmets seem to be catching on. 🙂
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:-), we are too.
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I think this student might still be there – lol!
xx,
mgh
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So true. This student had to spend lots of time in detention, lol, lol.
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When the student is ready the perfect partner appears?
xx,
mgh
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We believe so Madelyn. Can’t figure it out but then again we’re not gonna try. We just give thanks….
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Really, the fact that you found each other is a miracle!
xx,
mgh
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It for sure is a difficult, slow, painstaking and at times gut wrenching process or at least it was for us. Looking back we smile now and don’t really think much about what we left but rather what we have gained. Its all a process and one that is individual for each of us. It just so happened that we were on the same page, paragraph and line in our journey.
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Yes, this is so true. This discipline gives them an appeal to the world. They show respect for each other and those around them.
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Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. The field of photography is such a wonderful way to express views of the world. It brings joy.
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That’s a great question Theresa about the car seats. We saw so many with young children and none to our recollection had a car seat. We’re going to have to check that out. I know the lights on the buggies is a recent requirement in 2012. PA has a publication on buggies which we are sure is a result of their plenty in that area.
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Hi Anne. This was just a link to a site we found that expressed a persons interpretation of the Amish way of life. There were so many sites out there and we found it best to check out many and somewhere amidst the literature the real truth may be found.
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Amish are a group, I respect a lot. They adhere strictly to their culture and that is a sign of discipline.
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I’ve checked out the Audrey Horn photos. Wow!👌The pictures are simply beautiful.
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As I have always maintained, I adore the stuff of my life. If I were already in my forever home – and owned it – “downsizing” (or what many label “decluttering”) would probably not be anywhere near the forefront of my mind.
Since I would like to relocate, the time has come for me to pare down to make moving a simpler process.
xx,
mgh
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Those buggy horses look so beautiful. They seem to be well-treated! Do you know if there is any regulation on things like car seats for kids in the buggies? just a random question.
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When you read this Tom, I can’t understanding this: http://www.exploring-amish-country.com/amish-shunning.html
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Yes it is hard to understand this. The family we want to connect with were shunned for reaching out to others that had been shunned. We hope to be shadowing them to open our eyes more on understanding this.
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That’s something I don’t like from the Amish people, they believe so strong, but God loves all people and also the children of believers. I read a lot of books about the Amish and saw a lot of movies, but I can’t understand this point. It is realy sad Tom.
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Yes how quickly the moments past. We are so happy to be following and learning from others that have blazed the trail before us. Letting go of the material has been so lightning. We both learned how easy it is for our things to begin controlling us.
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They are such an interesting group. We learned so much being with them. When their children leave they are still shunned. It is sad.
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The days, the weeks, the months … and years slide into years.
That’s why reading your blog is so enlivening – you’ve made the choice to LIVE in the moment: valuing experience, learning, relationship and community over the acquisition and upkeep of possessions.
xx,
mgh
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LOL. The days fly don’t they! We often lose track of the days in the process.
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Great to see the Amish people, there life is not easy and SpiritualJourney17 has right, the time stood still by them. Maybe there is a little change, and I hope that this people not disown there children when a child will live outside the community.
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Step ONE: troll the net for decluttering posts
Step TWO: YouTube declutter video binge
Step THREE: *think* about getting rid of a few things
Step FOUR: bedtime!
🙂
Isn’t that usually how it goes? LOL
xx,
mgh
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Lots of fun. =)
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That is awesome!!!!! Wow. That had to be challenging!!!!!!!
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LOL. Yes, that word “almost” is the big hump in the path. As we look back we love it.
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Linguistics. And minor in Classical Langs (Grk and Latin) =)
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Quite amazing, yes? Almost motivates me to simplify. Almost – lol.
xx,
mgh
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Yes we believe they are trying their best to do what is right and as you know that base is so important. At the point when they let go the children then have the moment of decision as to the lifestyle they will choose. It must be working because the numbers are increasing.
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Thank you Robbie. As we prepared for our road trip we kept reading articles about the Amish and the more we read the more fascinated we became.
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There must be something they are doing VERY right, since the kids seem content with so little (comparatively) and look happy.
xx,
mgh
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We watched it years ago and enjoyed to movie. They, surprisingly captured a lot of real life moments of the Amish culture. We hope to return there and shadow a family we met. We think it would be great fun to try and keep up with their lifestyle.
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Awesome that you attended the University there. So you are well aware of the region. Yes it felt wonderful to connect with them and we hope to return. We met one family that we hope to be shadowing and learn more of their lives. Yes this is so much of what the journey is all about. What was your major?
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They really are to be admired aren’t they. You are so right about the auto changing our lives. Sometimes its like we’re in the Indy 500. They just seem to trot along (pun intended) content as can be.
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Yes they do don’t they. It was interesting to read about them and be with them.
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The Amish possess a rich and fascinating culture.
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Another fascinating video on another great post. Loved your admiration for “their perseverance to adhere to their beliefs without expecting others to accommodate them” especially. Great model for the rest of us!
Sometimes I wonder if the advent of “the horseless carriage” marked the beginning of our decline as human beings – lol. Rush, rush, rush – and HONK, get off my road!!
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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This is so fascinating. I have seen movies about the Amish and read about them but it must be a lovely experience to see them and how they live. So unique!
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Did it make you want to watch the Harrison Ford movie, “Witness”?
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I went to Univ of PA. That is wonderful how you got to connect with people like that. Isn’t that what the journey is about?
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Thank you Clarissa. We enjoyed our moments there and yes road rage was evident there and we too held our breath on many occasions.
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Its a great place Andy. We are discovering Amish in many communities and its nice to see. We are happy you are long with us for the ride.
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Never been to PA but I see a lot of Amish when I visit my daughter in IA. These all look like an amazing trip.
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Wonderful video and compassionate reporting. I remember driving on the Schuylkill Expressway in Philly and sometimes seeing the Amish in their carriages, perhaps going to market, and holding my breath as road-rage drivers whizzed past.
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This is a good way to describe it. I guess we could still describe it as such too. We certainly relaxed there!!!
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I went to Lancaster many moons ago. It was as if time stood still.
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