I have to admit that before bending the binding of Lorilee Craker's new book, Money Secrets of the Amish (Thomas Nelson, 2011), I hadn't thought much about the "Plain" lifestyle. In fact, it took a few weeks for me to get past the kinda-corny title and into the depths of the book, which turned out to be a personal finance resource that really hit home. After all, the subhead - finding true abundance in simplicity, sharing and saving - is not much unlike my own philosophy on life and the core concept here at Green Globetrotter. Live simply. Keep it natural. Take care of the planet and its people.
Woven throughout the book were stories of hardworking Amish families that had emerged from America's recent (and somewhat ongoing) economic slump unscathed. At the heart of their money mentality wasn't greed or materialism, but a quiet pride in doing the right thing... paying creditors on time, building savings for a home, and the ever-present mantra: use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
The realization that families and communities such as this exist - and are thriving(!) - was enough to make me curious. I don't live near Amish country, but I've seen a buggy or two in my time. What better way to escape the everyday tug of consumerism than with a weekend out of town? I mean really out of town. Think: farm.
If you're yearning to escape the urban jungle for a quick simplicity fix, look no further. The below resources will point you in the direction of the nearest Amish community, many of them major tourist attractions in their own right. Whether you want to poke around antique and quilt shops or get dirty on a working farm, options abound.
Illinois: Amish Country
Indiana: Amish Country
Michigan: River Country Amish Meander
Minnesota: Mississippi Bluffs Amish Culture
Ohio: Amish Country
Pennsylvania: Lancaster County (Agrotourism itinerary ideas)
Wisconsin: Amish Communities
And, most importantly, Amish Etiquette Dos and Don'ts.
Interestingly, the essay "The Amish and Tourism: Understanding the Dangers" discusses the culture's religious views on travel with the following:
In the Amish view, all tourism feeds off of the "worldly" values and therefore is corrupt, but their disapproval grows with their own involvement. They dislike being made the main attraction because the tourism industry often treats them as curiosities and commodities, and they grow especially concerned when they become willing participants because they are supporting a corrupt activity, tying themselves to the "world" and possibly elevating their customs above their faith.
0 comments:
Post a Comment