#269: The Great Amish Country Auction, pg 629 (Listed as "Shipshewana" in 2nd Ed, pg 791)

Monday, July 22, 2019

We arrived in Shipshewana right in time for lunch, so we walked up and down Main Street and then enjoyed a traditional Amish lunch at the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery.  Two thumbs up to the Peanut Butter pie!

So fun to see horse and buggies everywhere you look!  At the gas station......

Up and down every road.....

And in town.

Roman, of the "New Order" Amish gave us a buggy ride for just the three of us.  We peppered him with questions.  And he was gracious enough to answer all our curiosities.  He was born "Old Order" Amish.  The Old Order is more traditional and faithfully follows the bishop of their church.  He then converted to/transitioned to the "New Order" as he got older.  New Order members read the Bible and interpret it for themselves and decide how to live.  For example, Roman doesn't have electricity in his home, but he does drive a car (a Honda Odyssey to be exact) when not taking visitors like us on buggy rides ;)  He explained that this is the third largest Amish community (one in Ohio being first and Lancaster, PA being second).  He said some Amish families are getting smaller since some of the New Order in particular are starting to believe in/use birth control.  But his parents (Old Order) had 18 (!!!) children.  All from the same mama!  He said several of his siblings have left the Amish faith. I asked if people could join the Amish religion or if you needed to be born into it.  He said people can join, but that the Amish "don't recommend it" because it's such a lifestyle change that most people don't adjust well.

Verdict:  No.  Admittedly, we didn't end up going to the Flea Market or Auction, which probably would have been really cool to see.  But alas, we were there on a Monday and the Flea Market is Tues - Wed and the Auction is Wednesdays.  But we tried to do pretty much everything else this town had to offer!  The reason this is a "No" is not because we didn't enjoy our day there or because I don't think everyone should have an Amish experience at least once in their lives.  It's because I don't understand why this particular community was plucked into the book when there are several to choose from.  I live just two hours from Lancaster and have been there many times.  And this experience felt the exact same as my Lancaster experiences.