The "So Who Are These People That Ride In Buggies? - Part II" Story

Photograph from my visit to an Amish buggy manufacturer.

It was an ordinary day.  A few years ago I made a visit to a shop in Lancaster County that makes Amish buggies.  I wrote a story about my visit, but to this day I still wonder why the Old Order Amish risk their lives every day driving their buggies along the roads of Lancaster County.  How can they control an animal, that is probably close to 2,000 pounds in weight, while driving amongst the cars and trucks that are speeding by them on county roads making noise and cutting them off at times?  

This buggy is not covered and usually used by unmarried Amish.

Do they really believe they need to drive a horse and buggy because of their religion?  At least the Menno- nites drive cars, be they totally black so they are un-noticed.  The majority of North American Mennonites seem to have accepted much of what we refer to as the "Modern" life with all its conveniences.  But, it seems that many are still troubled about accepting modern conveniences, thus painting all chrome on their cars so they don't shine as other cars might.  Many are still troubled with how far their brethren will go in accommodating modern progress.  

Amish farm their land with the use of animals.

It has been noticed that many seem to be returning to wood stoves, more time at home and a simpler life.  As far as the Old Order Amish, they still seem to be loyal to their religion as far as the use of modern conveniences such as owning an automobile, but they will still seek out means to make life easier without owning an automobile.  My wife's cousin drives a large van in which he transports Amish around Lancaster County to shop, run errands and even take them to medical appointments.  

In the distance are a large number of Amish buggies that
have arrived at this farm for Sunday Church.

Even though I have seen Amish horse and buggies at our local Costco Whole- sale Club, I have seen just as many Amish shopping at the store and leaving the store, loading their purchases into a vehicle that is driven by someone other than an Amish person.  And just how can I tell they are Amish?  They are easy to identify in their "plain" clothes.  The men and boys wear dark suit coats which have no lapels and fastened with hooks and eyes.  Pants are made in traditional broadfall pattern and usually held up with suspenders.  

Wash lines the Amish farm seen here.  These are primarily
women's and girl's clothing.  Some solid colors are shown here.

Shirts are made of solid colored fabric, which at times can be quite colorful. Shoes are black for dress and brown for work.  Broad-brimmed hats made of either straw or black felt are worn outdoors.   Men's hair is blunt cut and combed front in bangs with beards worn by older men, yet no mustaches are ever grown.  

I took this photo at a small market.  The photo
shows a young Amish family with traditional
clothes for males and females.

Women and girls wear dresses with full skirts of solid colors which at times can be bright colors, but many times black.  An apron usually is worn and a cape covers the bodice of the dress.  Shoes, usually black, and stockings are warn at times, but it isn't unusual to see Amish barefoot.  Women and girls don't cut their hair, but part it in the middle and combed back from the face.  They usually wear their long hair in a bun.  Head coverings of white, and sometimes black, are worn to conform to this passage in I Corinthians:  5 But every woman praying or prophesying with their head uncovered dishonors her - it is the same as if her head were shaven.  6  For if a woman will not be covered, then let her be shorn!  But since it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.  

Another Amish family wait in line for food in the alleyway
behind Central Market in downtown Lancaster.

Jewelry is never worn.  Old Order Menno- nite men do not wear beards and have buttons on their clothing with hooks and eyes.  They also wear plain hats and coats without lapels and suspenders.  There have been a few times that Carol and I have visited beaches that are frequented by young Amish men and women and found that the girls would wear what we would call a full length "swim dress" while the guys would wear bathing trunks just like I wore.  If you live amongst the Old Order Amish as well as the Old Order Mennonites you tend to ignore their dress, since you are so accustomed to seeing it on a daily basis.  As for tourists to our area, they tend to stare at the dress that they find so different than their own.  In the end, who is correct in their dress?  Interesting, isn't it?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.