Our first full day here included more driving–as if we haven’t done enough already. Actually, it was fun to get a sense of the area and “the lay of the land.” It may take a little more time to reach some conclusions. It’s definitely different than when we were here decades ago. But what places aren’t?
There’s always a tendency to compare this area (Holmes County, Ohio) to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I’m not sure I’m ready to do that, but I can offer a few first impressions. The advantage of offering first impressions is that they are just that—impressions. The rest of the week here will hopefully confirm their validity and increase our understanding.
Perhaps the most worthy of note is the prevalence of bicycles—especially e-bikes. Their use is certainly not limited to the Amish, but it’s a common form of transportation among the plain people. There are a number of variations, and it’s not unusual to see various forms of “trailers,” including kid carriers. At one point, we encountered an entire family–each on their own bike, with Mom hauling a trailer containing the youngest.
We’ve seen far fewer buggies, although there seems to be a wide variety of types. One that was particularly notable resembled a Conestoga-style wagon containing an entire family. They were all waving wildly at us.
(We later learned there had been a wagon train “parade” of sorts through the area recently, so this may not have been a typical mode of transportation.)
I often note that any generality about the Amish is going to be false, so I’m not suggesting an overall trend. Some communities/districts do not permit any type of bicycle, and scooters are begrudgingly used. The underlying concern is maintaining a sense of community and a commitment to it.
Another tempting first impression is that the Amish here are a bit more extroverted. I won’t attribute it to tourism because Lancaster County is equally dependent on visitors. Note that I did not say “friendlier.” It’s more a case of who smiles first.
During my walk last night, I encountered a couple who were weed-wacking. He was doing the high bank; she was concentrating on the ditch at the bottom. As I expected, they didn’t stop, but they each glanced my way and smiled. Since I was closer to the woman, I teased, “He’s getting ahead of you.”
I later realized that, in spite of her nod and smile, I had made a very Englisch (non-Amish) observation. They were getting the work done. They were not competing, nor were they likely even conscious of who might be working faster or harder.
There’s something to be said for that.
