The horse and buggy are a fairly common sight to see as you traverse the many country roads of Michiana. But there are a few things about those Amish folks that I just don’t understand.
1. So it is not ok to own a motorized vehicle, but you can buy tires for your trailers and car lights for you buggies.
2. I saw a lady in full Amish dress pushing a brand new power mower.
3. Telephones are forbidden … unless you put them outside at the end of the driveway or unless it is a cell phone. For some reason those are allowed for business.
There are more, but I need to find out about some of these issues. I have respect for them because living in a day and age such as this and choosing to live simply over the alleged “conveniences of life” that we all think we need must be a difficult choice. Or maybe not at all.
you should pick up a copy of “the devil’s playground.” it’s a really fascinating documentary of the amish tradition of “rumspringa.” basically that means when an amish child turns 16 he or she can do whatever he or she wants until they decide whether or not to join the church. the documentary is super interesting. you can get it at border’s.
I have heard they are allowed to use generators in their shops. They also can use gas powered refrigerators and washer/dryers. I know there is something for staying off “the grid” but it is almost like a technicality.
do they still use lanters and such for their lighting or do they eletricty or a generator? just curious