Witness

Admittedly lame, but prior to Friday, my only knowledge of Amish life was gleaned from Witness. I know.

However, we had the opportunity to take a tour of an Amish community via our field trip group, and I'm so glad we did. First of all, it was a 90-minute trip. What to pack? Enough food to last for three days, two bottles of Propel water, five or six picture books and three books on tape. We ate nearly all the food, drank all the water and made it through every picture book and two books on tape. When we arrived, DD asked if we were still in Tennessee. Barely, darling. Barely. I had one moment of panic when the direction on the street sign was the polar opposite of the Garmin, but I should never mistrust the Garmin. Never. A few anxious moments later, we spotted a horse and buggy driving down the shoulder of the road.

We met up with our group and took a horse and buggy ride through some absolutely beautiful country. We stopped at a few houses and bought some bread, apple butter and cookies, the very staples of life. I succumbed to peer pressure and opened the cookies as soon as we got back on the buggy. Good decision.

I admit being somewhat impatient during the first few moments on the buggy ride. I wanted to hitch up a few extra horses to pick up the pace, but once I settled in, it was quite nice to move at a leisurely pace. It gave me a chance to reflect. Naturally I romanticized the whole place: DH and I could be just like Pa and Ma Ingalls and DD could be Laura! We could grow our own food! I could bake! I could sew! I could get up at the crack of dawn! I could perform manual labor ALL DAY! I could never see the end of Lost! Horrors!

Of course a three hour tour gives only the smallest, most impersonal glimpse into anyone's life, but I came away with a greater appreciation for their beliefs and respect for the way and the why of their work.