Visit A Backward World! An Amish Market In Shipshewana, Indiana
Amish people are known to live in non-technology era. They still use horse carriages as their mode of transportation in the 21st century. They wear uniform clothes everyday - white caps and single-colored dress. The Amish is a small Christian religious congregation scattered in Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
One Amish community is located in Shipshewana, Indiana. Along highway 20, a few miles off Interstate 80 in Indiana, you will find the Amish people. Driving further east, the road signs will ask motorists to slow down for crossing horse carriages, their way of moving around in their area. I wonder how far their travel by horse has brought them? I haven't seen any Amish in theme parks, malls or supermarket chains.
The State of Indiana is helping with their trade and commerce. The visitors' information will suggest tourists to visit their Amish Community. They have a small and neat marketplace with distinct Amish products for sale.
Every week, they have a flea market along Van Buren St. Their historic downtown is clustered in a small block where you can walk from the bank, to your hotel and lodging, towards restaurants & dining and shopping. I should say five minutes tops.They also have buggy rides for $9 per person. You can experience their transportation and enjoy the sights of their corn fields at the same time!
For food lovers, one of their best is the soft pretzels, sprinkled with sea salt on top. It comes in variety of dips- the two famous are cheese and nutella. For those who are not fond of food adventure, there is Subway across the street.
Modern life has been integrated in their marketplace. There are merchants that doesn't dress like them. They also have scheduled concerts with famous artists, antique shops that abound the area and fusion cuisines readily available in different restaurants.
On the contrary, it is known to everybody that Amish people live a very simple lifestyle. They are stuck in the "old times". The fast evolution of technology doesn't exist in their households. I am in awe of their simpleness, no fancy jewelry or fashionistas around. Simplicity is their beauty. At the end of the day, their lifestyle gave me the opportunity to say to myself, "it's okay not to be enslaved by the fast-paced western living after all".
The Amish in Pennsylvania, USA
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