I traveled to Lancaster County Pennsylvania which is famous for a community called the Amish. The Amish are a denomination of Christianity who believe in simple living and refuse to accept modern convenience. That would mean, they don’t use cars, phones, computers and don’t watch the telly. So quite obviously, they do not use electricity. They tend their own farms, are experts at growing tobacco and quite inherently are good with woodwork.

Once you enter the town, immediately one gets to see horse droppings everywhere as the Amish only travel by buggy. And we caught one to give us a ride. Our driver was a young girl named Rachel and she allowed us to take a photograph of her (which is prohibited but some allow it). On the 3 mile long ride along Amish farmland, we came to know that if you see electricity cables running into a house, that would be a modern Amish household. The electricity would have to be powered by propane though. There are also Amish schools that are run separately but tourists are not allowed to enter one.There is a measure of discipline in children, and they are used to helping the adults on farm which is quite contrary from modern American kids who just play the Xbox all day and are protected by American child laws in regards to obedience). But the Amish are not exempted from any US laws. They pay taxes and follow rules just like the rest of the nation. Also it was surprising that Rachel knew everything from Ipods to social networking but would not use them even if she could.

The Amish house (left) is like any other modern house. They visit supermarkets and buy all modern food just like us. Some other aspects were, that a white cape on the head would mean she was below 30 and was single. Men have to wear suspenders. And we were shown a variety of dresses both men and women have to wear as they progress through the years.

It is quite mind boggling that this community that lives right in the heart of modernity is not lured by it. There are some who defect and try to live a normal life but then are ostracized from their own society once they take that step. They may only come back if they perform penance in the Church.

It is also quite amazing that such a community has thrived in America, “the Nile river delta” of innovation and technology. They sometimes refuse medical treatment calling it the will of God. But luckily their youth is sensible enough to not take everything conservatively and every Amish household does have a telephone (outside the boundary of the house) in case of life-threatening emergencies.

Ah !what a simple life. Interesting. Let me "tweet" about this via my "smart phone". :)