Our tour bus took us out into the countryside. The driver was Mennonite (could drive) He showed us Amish homes and farms and explained the difference between the Amish and the Mennonites. Their religious beliefs are about the same and they are both trying to keep from getting caught up in worldly things, but the Mennonites are not as strict about electricity, telephones and vehicles. The Amish do not have telephones in their homes, but found a need for them. The phone company set up little phone booths at certain road junctions. They look like little out houses. The bus stopped at a bakery where I couldn't resist buying two loaves of bread, one white and the othere cinnamon raisen. Wayne had to have a bumbleberry pie. We didn't know what bumbleberries were and had to invite three other couples over to help eat it. It was delicious. The berries looked like cherries but had the texture of raspberries. While at the bakery, there was a buggy in the yard. Wayne and Kyle had to have a look. It has a lot of modern equipment, like a car battery carefully hidden underneath. The Amish use batteries. We stopped at a store way out in the country several weeks ago. I purchased an apron and the lady rang it up on a cash register. I asked her how she did it and she smiled and said it was battery run. She didn't take credit cards, though - that would involve the internet -
The second stop on the tour was a woodworking shop. We were able to browse the showroom and then were taken to the back to see the shop. These artists were not Amish. Their stuff was beautiful and the workers were all family members.
The third stop was an Amish general store. I saw a vegetable slicer that I used to have when I was first married. It was nostalgic, but I prefer my salad shooter. Does the same thing easier.
When we got back to Kalona, we formed a caravan and were led out into the country to an Amish home where we were fed a delicious dinner. The cook was Sylvia Ropp, a Mennonite woman. The food was fantastic. We had roast beef, mashed potatoes, noodles, rolls, vegetables, tapioca salad, coleslaw and pie for dessert. I bought a cook book from her.
It was a really fun day. We got to see and do things that we would not have been able to see and do on our own. We enjoyed the company of the friends we were with.
