East Coast Day 11: Ephrata & Lancaster

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Today was all devoted to the Lancaster County. We visited the Ephrata Cloister and then wandered around for the county to end our tour in Lancaster city. The cloister was nice, maybe a little sad, so empty where once a time there was so many labor around, but the guide was a really nice woman, and she was very convinced in highlighting that the women of that time were strong as well as the men if not more, despite what their leader said. The county was nice, even if it was strange to see the people in a gig, and then lawning the grass with a little tractor... but I suppose the real Amish people were not around there. Lancaster herself was not so good, we only stop for eat and then head towards Baltimore where I'm sleeping tonight.

Around the Wor...

By Elisa Rolle

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Comments

[gardengroans.livejournal.com]

Ack!! I must not have been paying close attention to your itinerary. If so, I would have asked if you would allow me to meet you to show you a few less touristy parts of Lancaster so that you would be left with a better impression. But I'm glad you had a good guide in Ephrata. It is a place that is a hidden treasure but very important to the history of Southeastern Pennsylvania. The architecture is unique and very medieval.

I hope you enjoy Baltimore. In someways it's like Philadelphia, but is a city that has fallen on hard times.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes, Ephrata Cloister was really beautiful and as you said a buried treasure. But for me it was even better, I could enjoy it without the crowd of tourist. Are you from around there? Elisa

[gardengroans.livejournal.com]

There is something about Ephrata Cloister that I find haunted...Sort of a beautiful loneliness. It is enjoyable without the crowds. You can "feel" the place and its devoted founders.

I live about half way from Ephrata and the City of Philadelphia, west of but closer to Philadelphia nearer another tourist area called Valley Forge. Southeastern Pennsylvania is full of historical places some well known and others well hidden away. Lots of old houses, inns and barns dated to the late 1600's and early 1700's still remain from our Quaker and German heritage. Many knowledgeable guides take as few as one or two people around on tour treating you with great importance.

But I must sound partial to my home state and I guess I am. It is very beautiful here if you overlook the ugly housing estates builders plop down everywhere.

Again, enjoy what remains to your holiday - Nanina

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I found Philadelphia and Pennsylvania better than what I was expecting. If I will return in this part of the country I'd like to visit more than what I did in few days. Elisa