Around the World in 90 Days Issue # 32

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius.

In Newsletter #31, I shared how I was struggling with my emotions and wondering how I’d make it through the final stretch of my journey before heading home. But then, I gave myself a pep talk:

"Come on, Jude! You’ve come this far, and there’s still so much more to see and experience. You CAN do this—you might not get the chance again."

With that in mind, I set off for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania—often called The Garden Spot of America.

Lancaster County is home to a large Amish community, with the first settlers arriving in the 1720s and 1730s. Alongside the Mennonites and the Brethren, they form three distinct Anabaptist groups that share a belief in making a conscious choice to accept God.

Our local guide provided fascinating insights into their faith, traditions, and way of life. The Amish do not use electricity or telephones in their homes and rely on horse-drawn buggies for transportation. Their simple, homemade clothing is typically dark—shades of purple, blue, wine, brown, grey, and black—though lighter colours are sometimes worn by children and in the summer months.

Amish women wear a head covering (also known as a prayer covering) at all times, keeping their hair completely hidden. As a result, haircuts or styling serve no purpose.

One thing that particularly caught my eye was the exquisite Amish quilts. My mum was a passionate quilter, so I had some knowledge of different quilting styles, and I was eager to see how the Amish crafted theirs.

Amish quilts are known for their solid colours, geometric patterns, and simple construction—all done entirely by hand. The Lancaster County Amish are especially known for their Diamond-in-a-Square and Bars patterns.

We were fortunate to experience an authentic Amish family-style buffet, featuring farm-fresh vegetables, dairy, meat, and eggs. The freshness of the produce made the meal incredibly flavourful, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The entire experience felt like stepping back in time, making me nostalgic for old-fashioned family life. It even reminded me of the classic television series Little House on the Prairie.

As Confucius once said:

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.“

Leaving behind the tranquillity of Amish country, we headed to Washington, D.C., for two action-packed days in a city defined by politics, history and iconic landmarks.

After arriving in the late afternoon, we checked in, freshened up, and headed out for a night tour of the city. Seeing Washington’s monuments illuminated at night added an entirely new dimension to their significance. Among the highlights:

- The Washington Monument

- The Lincoln Memorial

- The White House

According to my guidebook, the Lincoln Memorial is rich in symbolism. The 36 columns represent the states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death, while the 48 stone festoons above them symbolise the 48 states in 1922. The grand central chamber, where Lincoln’s statue stands, features his Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address, with intricate carvings of fasces, eagles, and wreaths.

As we explored the city, my fellow Aussie travellers and I noticed colourfully decorated panda statues scattered around. Intrigued, we set off on a mission to snap photos with as many as possible! These pandas were part of Pandamania DC, an urban art exhibition where local artists decorated 150 pandas and placed them throughout the city.

The next day, we visited:

- The Thomas Jefferson Memorial

- The World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War Memorials

- Arlington National Cemetery, where we saw the graves of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Jacqueline Onassis

The Jefferson Memorial was particularly moving. The bronze statue of Jefferson, sculpted by Rudolph Evans, stands proudly in the centre, holding the Declaration of Independence. The open-air circular structure, supported by 26 Ionic columns, is constructed from Imperial Danby marble from Vermont. The intricate details of the memorial left me in awe of Jefferson’s achievements.

Before leaving, we made a quick stop in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States. Our historical tour took us to:

- Independence Hall – The site where Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

- The Liberty Bell – Originally called the State House Bell, it was cast in Whitechapel, London, in 1751. The famous crack that silenced it occurred in 1846. The bell was officially renamed Liberty Bell in the 1830s and moved to the Liberty Bell Centre in 2003.

With some fellow travellers departing for home or continuing their journeys, my Aussie friends, Sarah and Nada, and I headed back to New York.

On my final day in New York City, I had free time to explore at my leisure before boarding my 20+ hour flight home.

From the peaceful simplicity of Amish life to the grandeur of America’s historic landmarks, this journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Each place told a different story—of faith, perseverance, and freedom.

As I prepare to return home, I feel grateful for the experiences, the lessons, and the memories I’ll carry with me forever.

Until the next adventure...