Tuesday we arrived in beautiful Pennsylvania and as soon as we crossed the border from West Virginia, I saw the beauty of this state come to life. It's hard to find the right words to describe this place, but beautiful is a good place to start. We are in the town of Lancaster which is home to the Amish people. They basically follow a religion that sees them living a very different and simplified life style. No electricity, baths once a week, family of about 15-25 siblings, women don't shave or wear make up or anything, the only form of transport they are allowed to use is horse and carriage etc. It sounds crazy and I still think some of their beliefs are a little strange, however they are the nicest people and all seem so happy. The longer I think about it, the more I wonder what it would be like to trade places with one of them for a week or month just to see what it would be like. The no electricity I could force myself to live with but I don't think I could handle only bathing once a week!

When we first arrived here, we explored one of the main towns which has a very unique name that certainly had me a little frazzled….Intercourse? Yeah, not my idea for a smart choice of name for a town but okay then. We went to a candle barn that was like heaven for me, my obsession with candles was cured in this place. It sold candles that the Amish people made downstairs all by hand and natural sources that they used. They all smelt delicious, but I had to be strict on myself and only by one, so I opted for the Crème Brule flavour: D Then we went out for lunch and I tried something I have been wanting to since the moment we landed in US… cheese fries. Hallelujah they were divine. After walking through the streets for a while, we decided to check out the Pretzel factory, which apparently supplies America with 85% of their pretzels. We even got to make some and I ended up buying an Oreo flavoured one that was dipped in white chocolate and covered in crushed Oreo biscuits, wow it was amazing. When we got back to the R.V. I wasn't in the mood to sit around and do nothing so we decided to go on a tour of an Amish farm. The tour lady whose grandparents were Amish took us via horse and cart (the Amish way) to a working Amish farm and gave us a lot of information on how they live and a few of their rules. It's actually very very interesting. On the farm we saw two boys about 5 or 6 working and doing some pretty intense lifting while the Amish ladies were either in the kitchen or in their little shop that sold things like quilts and natural herbs and to my happiness, a variety of cook and health books. But due to their religious rules and beliefs of no individually, we weren't allowed to take photos of them as it 'singles them out'.

Yesterday we went to the local fair that was like my little dose of the Perth royal show seeing as though I miss it for the first time in my life this year. It wasn't as big and there weren't any roller coasters or anything but certain things reminded me of the show and it satisfied my festive self. I bought some delicious cupcakes that won first prize in the baking contest (and they certainly tasted like 1st place material) and nanna bought and introduced me to my new favourite thing, peanut brittle. This stuff is so amazing and I'm confused as to why I've never had it before! As the locals said we couldn't come to the show and not try it, we bought and tried the famous 'Funnel Cake'. It kind of reminded me of a doughnut or San Churros covered in icing sugar but it was so much better and I do see what all the hype is about. After about an hour of slowly wondering around the show we headed off to another little town close by and walked through the streets. All the buildings here are so beautiful and old (most are from the early 1700's!) and they have so many antiques in the shops that are so cheap yet worth so much. For dinner we headed to an Amish owned and operated restaurant called 'Katie's Kitchen' and it was really nice to go somewhere and not have the usual 'burger and fries' menu. They bought out bread for an entrée and a little tub of peanut butter…the best bread and the best PB I've ever eaten. It was perfect :o Then for my main meal I had Meatloaf and gravy with Mash potato and Beans. The Amish girls certainly know how to cook!

Unfortunately we leave Pennsylvania today and head for Washington D.C. where the road trip comes to an end. I've seen some incredible things and experienced things that most 15 year olds wouldn't on this road trip and now I'm so excited to get to Washington because straight after D.C we arrive in NEW YORK! Although I have to admit, I could spend a long time here in Lancaster.