This weekend I took a group of my international students to Amish Country (Holmes County, Ohio) to learn more about this culture in their backyards. It was wonderful.
The day was all arranged by Amish Heartland Tours and we learned so much, and gained such insight. I just can't say enough about how great it was.
We drove to Berlin, Ohio and met our guide, La Vonne. She then joined us in our van and answered all of our questions, while explaining things we'd never even thought to ask about. It was fantastic. We learned why Amish homes are all three stories, how the schools work, about courtship, church-families/districts, how the local Amish economy has transformed over the last 20 years, and more. We then went to have a family-style lunch in an Amish family's home.
Our hosts were generous, gracious, and patient. I think (and hope) they enjoyed talking to us as much as we loved talking to them. And the food was amazing. Salad with homemade dressing, fresh-baked bread with a homemade peanut butter bread (a real hit -- we all bought some to bring home!) then mashed potatoes, noodles, chicken, roast beef, green beans, and just when we thought we couldn't possibly eat any more -- pies of all varieties -- of course, also all homemade! Wow.
I'm sorry I don't have photos of the amazing meal, but photos are not welcome inside an Amish home, so out of respect, I didn't take any of the food/hosts. The Amish take the commandment to not make any graven images quite seriously (i.e., no photos, no dolls with faces, etc.). I do have one photo of our group, that I'll try to get up here soon to share (in the family's living room).
After lunch, we were able to visit another Amish home and see homemade quilts being crafted, we went to a candle shop, and got a demonstration of some amazing candles being made too. And then the drive home.
It was a long, but really fantastic day. And, obviously, the great food was a central part of that. If you ever have a chance to do something similar, I really recommend it!
The day was all arranged by Amish Heartland Tours and we learned so much, and gained such insight. I just can't say enough about how great it was.
We drove to Berlin, Ohio and met our guide, La Vonne. She then joined us in our van and answered all of our questions, while explaining things we'd never even thought to ask about. It was fantastic. We learned why Amish homes are all three stories, how the schools work, about courtship, church-families/districts, how the local Amish economy has transformed over the last 20 years, and more. We then went to have a family-style lunch in an Amish family's home.
Our hosts were generous, gracious, and patient. I think (and hope) they enjoyed talking to us as much as we loved talking to them. And the food was amazing. Salad with homemade dressing, fresh-baked bread with a homemade peanut butter bread (a real hit -- we all bought some to bring home!) then mashed potatoes, noodles, chicken, roast beef, green beans, and just when we thought we couldn't possibly eat any more -- pies of all varieties -- of course, also all homemade! Wow.
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| As close as I can get to showing you the food! |
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| Amish Doll in traditional dress -- without a face. |
It was a long, but really fantastic day. And, obviously, the great food was a central part of that. If you ever have a chance to do something similar, I really recommend it!
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