Setting off on a visit to the Pennsylvania Dutch Amish Country will help remind you of plenty of traditions, especially because this area is home to many Amish and Mennonite communities.
During your visit, it would be easy for you to catch many glimpses of men with “Abe Lincoln” beards without a moustache and wearing a black hat. Women still continue to wear traditional simple clothing along with a headpiece. In this part of the world, many visitors enjoy buying fruits and vegetables as you will find many local Amish vendors selling fresh farm supplies! If you travel east of Pennsylvania, you will probably be able to see many Amish folks riding down the road on a horse and buggy to get to work! On the other hand do not try to take pictures of them as they may cover their face or turn away, just as you might if a stranger tried to click a photo of you. Also snapping your camera might frighten the horses and actually endanger the buggy’s passengers
While planning out or organizing a visit to Amish country, please keep in mind that the Amish themselves are not supporters of tourism and so do not encourage tourism in and around their quiet residential and farming areas. If you are invited in by an Amish family by chance, consider yourself lucky and use the opportunity to get to know about them. The Amish, although very shy and reasonably strict about mixing with “outsiders,” can be extremely friendly so you do not have to worry about feeling “alienated” while you are with them. On the other hand, most of them will try avoiding anything which is even a notch more than casual contact.
Visitors to America’s Amish Country can enjoy a variety of smells, sounds and sights which you have never experienced before, from the makeshift roadside stands which they set up to sell whatever farm produce is in excess of their needs. There are also other shops which sell Amish Made goods. You will also be able to enjoy beautiful scenery and the wonderful taste of Amish foods too!
