El lunes fue nuestro ultimo dia en Indiana. Nos levantamos temprano porque teniamos una agenda muy completa de cosas para visitar en la region amish. Para ver nuestros otros dos dias, pinchad aqui y aqui. Comenzamos con un buen desayuno, en el que todo era normal, excepto que no habia fruta natural y ademas, tenian "biscuits with gravy". Es lo que veis en las fotos, Thomas lo tomo junto con su desayuno normal; yo ni lo oli, jeje! Me parecio una especie de bechamel con trozos de carne sumergidos, no es muy apetitoso :) Para el resto de los huespedes, era algo normal y llevaban montañas de este "manjar".
Sunday was our last day in Indiana. We got up early since we had a full agenda to visit all the Amish spots before going back to Chicago. To see our previous two days click here and here. We started having a nice breakfast at the inn. Everything was normal except that they didn't have fresh fruit. What they did have was "biscuits with gravy". It is what Thomas is eating on the pictures below. He took a bowl of this stuff the two days of our visit, I even smelled it, hehe! It is a kind of bechamel sauce with pieces of sausages and ground meet inmersed in this sauce. Almost all the guests were taking mountains of this dish and it was just surprising ;)
Thomas comiendo gravy. Thomas eating gravy.
Despues del desayuno continuamos nuestra ruta. Primero nos dimos una vuelta por las tiendas que habia en el complejo, todas de estilo rustico, basado en casas de estilo suizo, pais de procedencia de los primeros grupos amish. Las tiendas eran de artesania amish y de los famosos bordados y colchas amish (quilt): http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/2012/06/quilting-legacy-of-family-history.html
After breakfast we went on with our route. We stopped first by the shops in the inn, most of them dedicated to Amish craft. All the shops resembled Swiss buildings, since Switzerland is the country where the first Amish came from. Some of the shops had the precious Amish quilts: http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/2012/06/quilting-legacy-of-family-history.html
Beautiful stable. Precioso portal de Belen.
Despues de este recorrido nos dirigimos a Shipshewana, un pueblecito muy cerca de donde nos hospedabamos y en donde vive la mayor parte de la comunidad amish. La diferencia con el domingo era abismal, los amish estaban trabajando y siguiendo sus vidas normales en perfecta armonia con el resto de la comunidad. Las carreteras y las calles estaban llenas de familias amish en sus carros. En todos los establecimientos hay aparcamientos para carros amish y el trafico esta perfectamente regulado para sus vehiculos. Creo que hice fotos de todos los carros que vi, eso si, de lejos, si estaban vacios y sin molestarles en ningun momento. Al parecer, hay turistas que se atreven a pedirles posar. A mi me encantan las fotos, pero no me parece bien ir a molestar a nadie en su ritmo normal de vida. De todas formas, dependiendo si los amish tienen algun negocio de venta al publico, si que se puede interaccionar con ellos. De otra manera, cada uno a lo suyo :)
Entre Middlebury y Shipshewana hay una panaderia/bolleria regentada por una familia amish y es estupenda. Se llama "Rise and Roll" y tienen toda clase de dulces artesanos: donuts de todos los sabores, rollos de canela, pretzels, mermeladas y confituras, galletas, tartas y un largo etcetera. Nosotros compramos donuts, agujeros de donut, galletitas de nueces, pretzels y jarabe de arce.
After visiting the shops we headed to Shipshewana, a small village close to where we were staying and where most of the Amish live. There was a big difference in the street life compared to Sunday. Everyone was out in the street, the Amish were working and doing their normal life. There were buggy parking spots in every store and the traffic was perfectly regulated for their vehicles. I think I took pics of every buggy I saw, always from far or if they were empty. I never approached them or bother them. Apparently some tourists even ask them to pose for their pictures and they don't care if they are bothered or if they feel bad about it. I love taking pictures of different things, but I'd never dare to bother someone in their normal life rhythm. However, many Amish families have stores and also sell food and quilt items to the broad public and then, one can really interact with them. Otherwise, it is better to leave them quiet and respect them as they respect the rest of the world.
On our way to Shipshewana there is a great bakery, it is called "Rise and Roll". They have all kinds of Amish style sweets, everything looked delicious. It is owned by an Amish family and it looks like customers from everywhere arrive there everyday to get their delights: assorted flavor donuts, pretzels, cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes, jams, preserves, maple syrup and more. We bought donuts, donut holes, pretzels, maple syrup and pecan crusts.
Amish buggy
Huge cinnamon rolls. Rollos de canela gigantes.
En interior de la pasteleria. The bakery inside.
Donuts de mil sabores, bacon incluido. Donuts of all flavors, bacon included.
Aparcamiento para carritos amish en Rise and Roll. Parking spot for Amish buggies at Rise and Roll.
Fachada de la pasteleria. The bakery.
Seguimos hacia el pueblo despues de degustar algunas delicidas dulces :) La carretera era un hervidero de carros y bicicletas. El paisaje en esta zona es muy rural y la gente vive de una manera sencilla, es un contraste maravilloso comparado con Chicago.
We continued our way to the village after eating some sweet delights :) The road was crowded with buggies and bikes. The place is very rural and people have a simple way of life more related to nature. It is a nice contrast compared to Chicago.
Amish twins. Gemelas amish.
Ropa amish secandose al sol. Amish clothes drying under the sun.
Llegamos al museo llamado "Menno-Hof". Es el museo de historia amish, alli se pueden ver todos los detalles desde su nacimiento, como llegaron a America, cuales son sus costumbres, su alimentacion y sus rituales. El museo se llama Menno-Hof porque el fundador de la religion menonita fue un holandes llamado Menno Simons. Todo empezo con la reforma de Lutero, que consistio en una separacion de la iglesia catolica romana. Los protestantes consideraban que la iglesia estaba corrupta y que no representaba el mensaje de Jesus en la tierra. Ademas, creian que las personas creyentes debian ser bautizadas cuando fuesen adultas y conscientes de sus creencias, por eso se llaman "anabaptistas". Creo que llevaban razon, la verdad. Esta etapa de la historia fue muy violenta, ya que cristianos y protestantes se persiguieron mutuamente y muchos protestantes se vieron obligados a permanecer en la sombra por miedo a ser ejecutados. De todas formas, muchos protestantes tambien optaron por la rama violenta y de aqui, nacio la religion menonita. Menno Hof fue un protestante holandes que se negaba a ejercer ningun tipo de violencia contra gente de otra religion y ademas, no tenia ningun inconveniente en vivir y relacionarse con personas de otra religion. Como descencientes de Menno Simons nacieron los menonitas, los huteritas y los amish. Los menonitas viven de una forma muy similar al resto de nosotros, en casas normales, usan la ultima tecnologia, van a la universidad y tienen trabajos de toda clase. Ademas, se relacionan con gente de otras religiones. Los amish tienen creencias religiosas muy similares, pero no se relacionan con gente de otros cultos y por eso, viven en comunidades. No pueden conducir vehiculos de motor, pero si ir en un vehiculo conducido por alguien que no sea amish, estudian en sus propias escuelas, tienen sus propios medicos, no pagan impuestos y se autoabastecen con sus propias granjas y pequeñas fabricas. Las familias amish tienen propiedades, entre ellas, sus casas, granjas y graneros. Su vida esta basada en la humildad y por eso, llevan todos ropa muy parecida, colores lisos y el pelo tapado. Por otra parte, la rama mas radical de todas son los huteritas. Son exactamente como los amish, pero no creen en la propiedad privada. Todo es comunitario, granjas, comedores, casas, etc.
Los primeros amish nacieron en Suiza y Alemania, huyeron a varios puntos de Europa refugiandose de los cristianos de la epoca. Siglos despues huyeron de la Alemania nazi y llegaron a Estados Unidos, en concreto a Pensilvania, Ohio e Indiana.
We arrived to the "Menno-Hof", the museum for Amish history. There we could see all the details of Amish life, how they were born, how they arrived in America, their traditions, diet, rituals and work. The museum is called Menno-Hof after Menno Simons. Everything started after the Luther reformation and separation from the Roman Catholic church. Protestants considered that the church of the time was corrupted and not taking the message of Jesus on Earth. They also considered that people should be baptized in the adulthood, once they are aware of what they really want to believe. That's why they are called the anabaptist church. I really think they were right.
This period of history was very violent and protestants and Christians chased each other during years. Many protestants had to hide and escape to avoid being killed by the Christians of the time. Many protestants also chose the violent way and to fight against this, the Mennonite church was born. Menno Hof was a Dutch protestant who didn't accept any kind of violence in the fight for having their own religion. He defended the mixture of people with different beliefs in society. As the descendants of Menno Simons the "Mennonites", the Amish and the Hutterites were born. The Mennonites live like the rest of us, mixed with people from other religions, they have normal houses, use the last technology, they drive, go to University and have all kinds of jobs.The Amish have very similar religious beliefs, but they don't have contact with people of other religions, that's why they live in communities. They can't drive engine vehicles, but they can go in vehicles driven by others. They don't pay taxes, they study in their own schools, have their own doctors and they consume what they get from their own harvests and factories. Amish families have private properties like their houses and farms. Their life is based on humility and that's why they all dress in the same way without excesses or bright colors. The Hutterites don't believe in private property, they are the same as the Amish but everything belongs to the community, including farms, houses, diners, etc.
The first Amish were born in Switzerland and Germany, they escaped to different points of Europe trying to hide from Christians. Centuries later they escaped from the nazis and they arrived in the States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.
Thomas y yo en el museo esperando para hacer la ruta. Thomas and I at the museum waiting to do the route.
Video informativo sobre la vida amish. Informative movie about the Amish life.
Sala de torturas durante la reforma luterana. Torture room from the Lutheran period.
Camarote representando el barcon en el que los amish viajaron a USA. Ship were the Amish travelled to the USA.
Dios esta con nosotros. God is with us.
Diferencias entre amish y menonitas. Differences between Amish and Mennonites.
Amish diet. Dieta amish.
Iglesia amish. Amish church.
La siguiente sala del museo era una recreacion de una casa amish. Todos los muebles son artesanos, de madera robusta y fuerte. La cocina es muy importante en las familias amish, ya que se hacen trabajos fisicos fuertes en el campo y en la construccion y por tanto, se necesita comer bien. Su dieta esta basada en los carbohidratos y la grasa. La mayoria de amish estan delgados, el problema viene cuando el resto de la poblacion come igual que ellos y no queman las calorias extra...Ademas, las fiestas amish y otro tipo de eventos siempre transcurren alrededor de la mesa. Los alimentos son sencillos, toda clase de verduras, cereales, pollo y patatas.
The next part of the museum was dedicated to the style of a typical Amish house, especially the kitchen. The furniture are home-made, with very strong wood. Food is very important in Amish families, they do strong physical jobs in the land and in construction and hence, they need high calorie intake. Their diet is based on carbohydrates and fat. Most of them are pretty slim, the problem comes when the rest of the population eat in the same manner without burning the extra calories...Furthermore, the Amish parties and other events happen around food and sharing dinner with the community. They consume simple food, veggies, cereal, chicken and potatoes are among the most popular foods.
Tipica cocina amish. Typical Amish kitchen.
Tambien habia una recreacion de la sala de estar y de la ropa tipica usada. Las mujeres deben llevar un vestido por debajo de la rodilla, de un color liso y sin estampados. Las niñas llevan un gorro blanco hasta los 12 años y despues uno negro cada vez que salen de casa y hasta que contraen matrimonio. Cuando se casan, se lo vuelven a poner blanco. Esta prohibido cortarse el pelo y los hombres deben dejar crecer su barba cuando se casan, pero no su bigote. Los hombres llevan pantalon, camisa y chalecos lisos, se abrochan con alfileres, ya que las cremalleras y los botones estan prohibidos.
Alli se podia abrir los cajones, ver la comida que habia y tambien probarse la ropa, asi que claro, ni corta ni perezosa me plante el vestido amish y el gorrito, que por cierto, Thomas me lo puso al reves :)
There was also an Amish living room and some typical clothes. Women must wear a dress below their knees on a solid color without prints. Girls were a white hat until they are 12 and afterwards a black one every time they go out of the house until they get married. After marriage the hat must be white again. They also have to let their hair grow and man have to grow their beards after marriage, but without a mustache. Men wear pants, shirt and vest in solid colors, also a hat. All their clothes are closed with clips, buttons and zippers are forbidden.
We could open the closets and drawers to see what kind of food they had and also we could try on their clothes. Of course I had to try on the Amish outfit and the hat, but Thomas put it the other way around :)
Salon amish (fijaos en el detalle de la colcha). Amish living room, look at the quilt :)
Aqui estoy con el atuendo amish. Here I am with the Amish outfit.
Thomasito y el sombrero amish. Thomasito and the Amish hat.
Front of the museum with the quilt gardens. Entrada del museo con los jardines bordados.
Despues de nuestra visita al museo llegamos al centro de Shipshewana y nos fuimos a comer a otro restaurante tipico Amish: "The Blue Gate". Se podia hacer con menu o el famoso "todo lo que puedas comer estilo Amish". Esta vez optamos por el menu normal, que incluia una suficiente cantidad de comida :) El restaurante era parecido al comedor the "Dutch Essenhaus", era un sitio gigante, habia lista de espera y familias enteras estaba alli degustando esta comida.
En esta ocasion me pedi jamon, por cambiar y no comer pollo frito otra vez, de acompañamiento me pedi la pasta estilo amish y "cole sla". Thomas comio pastel de carne con ensalada de patata y maiz. De postre, un trozo de tarta :) Yo la pedi de calabaza, estaba buenisima y Thomas de azucar y mantequilla al horno, toda una bomba!
After the visit to the museum we went to the center of Shipshewana and we went to eat to "The blue gate", a typical Amish restaurant similar to the one at the "Dutch Essenhaus". This time we didn't do the "all you can eat Amish" and we did the normal menu, which had a big amount of food anyway :) The diner was huge and entire families were there eating the Amish country style menu.
I ordered ham with cole slaw and Amish noodles and Thomas had meatloaf with corn and potato salad. We had pie as a dessert, it was delicious. We took the pumpkin one and the "old style pie", based on sugar and butter melted in the oven, a real bomb!
The Blue Gate. El restaurante "The Blue Gate"
Mantequilla de cacahuete y salsa de manzana y canela en todas las mesas. Peanut butter and cinnamon and apple spread on all the tables.
Jamon con noodles y cole slaw. Ham with noodles and cole slaw.
Pastel de carne con maiz y ensalada de patata. Meatloaf with corn and potato salad.
Tarta de calabaza. Pumpkin pie.
Despues de comer paseamos por el pueblo, visitamos algunas tiendas de artesania y de colchas amish donde compre regalitos :) Tambien fuimos a una pequeña fabrica de quesos, donde se podia degustar queso cremoso amish, aunque eso si, nada como el manchego!!
Por ultimo, echamos un vistazo a algunas granjas y caminamos por los alrededores antes de poner rumbo a Chicago. En resumen, puedo decir que fue un fin de semana maravilloso, distinta cultura, forma de vida, diferente estado, gente con otras costumbres y tranquilidad. Lo recordare siempre con mucho cariño.
After lunch we walked around the village, visited some craft shops and quilt stores where I bought presents :) We also visited a small cheese factory, we could try cheese from Amish creameries, but to be honest, nothing like Manchego cheese!!
Finally, we looked at some farms and walk in the surroundings of the village before heading back to Chicago. It was a great weekend, we enjoyed different culture, people, life style, traditions and peace. I will always remember it with love.
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