September 12, 2005
Amish Perfection
This was probably one of the best, most eye-opening trips I've taken in a long time. I was operating under the presumption that Amish Country, like almost every other publicized tourist destination, would show signs of blatant commercialization. Boy, was I wrong. Not more than 10 minutes off the expressway, and I'm sharing a dirt road with a horse and buggy. We looked at each other curiously, as though one of us fell through the wrong wormhole. It was surreal. The carriage is a stark black box with a red reflective triangle tacked on back. The horse is stunning. Sleek and muscular, a true working horse beauty that makes thoroughbreds look anorexic. And like their driver, the horse appears proud of its station in life, unlike the tarted up horses you see in Chicago hauling tourists on pseudo-romantic jaunts.
The Amish faith dictates purity and simplicity. No electricity, no cars, no telephones. Clothing is unadorned, and any display of wealth is abhorred. I saw an Amish farmer tending his field with a horse-drawn tiller. It was mesmerizing. As a culture, Americans are so focused on completion rather than on the journey. While I watched the farmer, a voice in the back of my head kept saying, "Go, go, go." I was silently willing the farmer and his team to get to the end of the row. Then it dawned on me. The goal is not to complete the row, but to till the soil. It wasn't until then that I realized I am predisposed to desire the wrong end. We shouldn't be striving for success. We should focus on performing every act to the best of our ability. Wealth and success should be seen as corresponding outcomes, not goals.
Which puts the Amish in an interesting, and somewhat unresolved conundrum. Their work ethic is so strong, yet they reject materialism. Consider their low cost lifestyle. No electricity, no gas, how much does it cost the farmer to till his farm? Perhaps time, and the cost of feed. As such, the margin on his yield is enormous. Wealth is an unavoidable byproduct of Amish farming and conflicts with their belief system. Their own beliefs challenge their own identity.
An old Amish tale tells the story of a man who goes to church and comments to his wife, "We are the most modestly dressed family here." That show of pride counters the intent of modest dress.
It is also interesting to note that Amish do pay local, state and federal taxes. However, when it comes time for them to take advantages of social benefits, such as unemployment or social security, they often opt to not to, believing that it is the community's responsibility to care for its own.
All said, I was grounded by the faith of another. Needed it.
Posted by carolyn at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)
August 29, 2005
Off to Shipshewana
Last night was a huge success, we surprised Brady with tickets to Three Men of Tortuga at the Steppenwolf Garage. Nice change from the norm, the seven of us probably lowered the average age of the audience by 10-15 years. After that, we headed over for tapas at Ba-Ba-Reeba's (still my favorite tapas restaurant in Chicago, no matter what Michelle says! Even on sangria varietals alone! So nyah!) We had originally told Brady we were bringing him to the circus. He seemed somewhat disappointed that there was no tent and no elephants, but never fear! In anticipation of this, we all donned red foam clown noses and awaited his return from the bathroom. Too funny. Then, since we still had room for something sweet, over to Coldstone's to top it all off.
Was a great Sunday evening, and got home with enough time to get to bed early in preparation for today's journey to Amish Country. Woke up at 7am, ate leftover Dave's Eggs (nothing better, still can't figure out what makes them so tasty), and packed in record time. I just printed out directions to the campsite, and it looks like an easy 3 hour drive or so. Carb and cal healthy snacks are packed, I'll pick up an oil change, charcoal and coffee on the way out and everything should be smooth sailing. That is, until I have to pitch that tent! I figure I'll take today easy. Pitch the tent, find dinner, do some easy reading. Tomorrow I'll do the 100-mile tour via audio CD, and Wednesday I'll hit the auction, as recommended by my 1,000 Places to See Before You Die book. Anyway, off to get that oil change. Hellllooooo Jiffy Man!
Posted by carolyn at 08:02 AM | Comments (0)