Anyway, since this was before the internet and Amish shows on the National Geographic Channel and TLC, I didn't get much chance to interact with any of them. I just remember staring at them out of the back of the car window.
In college, as part of my read-everything-all-the-time-to-avoid-my-depression philosophy, I did some reading on Mennonites and the Amish. But I didn't get to meet any. Because, you know, they weren't hanging around Boston like the Mormons, Jordanian princesses and Orthodox Jews I did get to meet. Then I "fell in love" (or possibly under a spell) and got all distracted by my soon-to-be first husband.
For our honeymoon, my now ex-husband and I did a number of things. We spent 2 days in New York City, which was an extremely generous gift from my parents. We drove across the country. And we went to the Poconos. To this day I'm not sure what the hell we were doing in the Poconos. I guess my ex really believed those commercials from our childhood:
By the time we went in 1994, things weren't so hip. Though our room did have gold shag carpeting and an heart shaped hot tub. It was not my dream honeymoon.
Except.
At our meal table (oh yeah, you had assigned group tables for all meals - how romantic) was a young Mennonite couple. Also on their honeymoon. I was fascinated, while secretly thinking that they were much too young to be married.
They were 20. Three years younger than I was. And probably more mature.
I didn't get to question them thoroughly, not wanting to embarrass anyone (ie my ex), but I did get to watch them marvel over some of the food. And widen their eyes when one couple at the table explained that they weren't married. They stopped talking to the rest of us after that.
Today they are my only fond memory of that trip to the Poconos.
Is there a way of life that fascinates you?
By the time we went in 1994, things weren't so hip. Though our room did have gold shag carpeting and an heart shaped hot tub. It was not my dream honeymoon.
Except.
At our meal table (oh yeah, you had assigned group tables for all meals - how romantic) was a young Mennonite couple. Also on their honeymoon. I was fascinated, while secretly thinking that they were much too young to be married.
They were 20. Three years younger than I was. And probably more mature.
I didn't get to question them thoroughly, not wanting to embarrass anyone (ie my ex), but I did get to watch them marvel over some of the food. And widen their eyes when one couple at the table explained that they weren't married. They stopped talking to the rest of us after that.
Today they are my only fond memory of that trip to the Poconos.
Is there a way of life that fascinates you?
*My grandmother actually lived in a fairly large town filled with department stores and crime. But my dad liked to try out new routes on the 8 hour drive from NJ to grandma's in Pennsylvania, so we got to see a lot of back roads.
6 comments:
Sometimes, I am fascinated by these cultures. They live simply, and I envy that
Then I think about how I'd be considered a Jezebel for my clothes and shoes.
I went through a phase where I read a lot of novels set in Amish communities. They were interesting, although I'm not sure just how accurate they were.
Another Little House/Amish link? Bonnets. They are both all about wearing the bonnets. (although I'm pretty sure the Amish call them "head coverings." Or maybe not. Those novelists might have been lying to us, and they really call them "hair toppers.")
Tee-hee. My parents' neighbors are plain mennonite farmers. I've been in their house once, and got to hold a pet wild rabbit (the momma was killed, so they kept the baby and raised it). I don't do well with strict religion, but I am jealous of the lack of need for the internet in order to function as humans. Then again, I require working indoor plumbing, so... yeah, not a good fit.
Also, I buy most of my meat and milk from a plain mennonite farm, and the rest from an Amish farm. Jealous yet? :-)
I used to find those cultures very fascinating. Actually, I still find them fascinating, it's just that now that I'm older, and have moved away from my experiences with patriarchy, I can see the bad parts to it all. :/ (but still-fascinating.)
I'm fascinated by the Poconos. I totally want to stay in a suite that has one of those champagne glass hot tubs. Because what is more classy than that?
@Cindy - Well, yeah, that would definitely be an issue.
@Tracie - I have a hat fetish - I always wonder what I'd look like in the bonnets.
@Wordvixen - SO JEALOUS.
@Psychobabble - Oh there are definitely bad parts - that might be part of my fascination.
@LucidLotus - The Poconos and class are like Republicans and feminism. Heh. Our room had a heart shaped hot tub because the champagne glass one was already booked.
Post a Comment