Images from inside the 'Amish Las Vegas' - BBC REEL

Photographer Dina Litovsky has been photographing the 'Amish Las Vegas' since 2018. Hailing from as far as Indiana or Ohio, Amish and Mennonite families come to Pinecraft, Florida for vacation. During the days and sometimes months that they spend together, they relax rules and come into contact with other Anabaptist communities.
Video by Alba Jaramillo
#bbcreel #bbc #bbcnews

[@imonthewinningside8281]

As a former amish - I can say this is one of the most authentic portrayals I have seen.

[@Jenny-tm3cm]

May I ask what your experience was like? I’m from PA and find Amish very interesting (: also our chicken coop is Amish built

[@socio-economicnewsnetwork4740]

How can i become amish or menononite

[@cvilla5631]

Can black people be Amish?

[@mardiffv.8775]

@@cvilla5631 Being Amish is more then wearing the Amish uniform and joining a very strict Christian Church. The Amish speak their own version of German dialect. Which is very different from common German. So you need to learn that language, which is very hard to pronounce. Amsih life is hard; you have to work hard, own very little, no electricity, no smartphone or internet. But you have your family and Amish community. Children are raised with corporal punishment. So can you hurt your kids? So I think it is very hard for an outsider to join the Amish, regardless weather you are black or white.

[@wheatish]

Former Amish? You will always be Amish, you might not be traditional or observant.

[@bethroesch2156]

Growing up in Ohio and living right by the state line with Indiana, the Amish and Mennonite are part of our world. They are hardworking, honest and kind people. She must be very respected by them for them to be so open with her. I love these photos. They show them the way I see them, as regular humans. The posed portraits are so stoic and don't show any of the heart of these folks. I have a lot of respect for them and they make the best neighbor you could ever hope to have.

[@Automedon2]

Every Amish person I've met has been very kind and helpful. Once, when I was In Ohio for an auction, I stopped at a store to ask directions. The Amish man, who was getting a ride in some guy's truck, asked the driver if he could show me where I needed to go. They went ten miles out of their way to lead me there. The auction was run by Mennonites, and they too were amazingly helpful and friendly.

[@eligebrown8998]

You are right

[@Treasure-bl3cn]

@@Automedon2 So, it's a sect. Women are oppressed and controlled but you fantasize about them. They have no rights., they are just being owned by their men, children are getting punished but that's how you talk about them. lol what emancipation? huch

[@rachelvictor3380]

As someone with extended Amish and Mennonite family and as an artist with plain Mennonite school background, this was eloquently and beautifully done with dignity and respect for the culture. Beautiful, stunning work! Your images truly captured the beauty of simplicity in person, form and culture.

[@singingstars5006]

How do the Amish take vacations? I thought farmers could never take vacations because cows have to be milked and chickens fed. I've known non-Amish people with small farms and vacations are not possible. So how do they do it? Do neighbors take care of each other's animals?

[@AlexChavez-wz1ok]

Yes! Dignity and respect. It was a beautiful presentation that captured those two rare qualities in this world. Dignity and respect as you stated. 🙂

[@imonthewinningside8281]

@@singingstars5006 Most amish farmers don't take a vacation! But yes, they have fr,neighbors, maybe older children who can help out. Most of those who take off work for a week or more, are either no longer in dairy farming or have other jobs.

[@katiekawaii]

I love that she gave them books of the pictures

[@gilgamesh3328]

This looks so much nicer than the actual Las Vegas.

[@introvertsrock9843]

Maybe you should visit real vegas more. There is a LOT more than the strip there

[@thelastminmom5251]

@@introvertsrock9843 lol...Agreed! Ppl only know the Strip. We have so much more. Like the surrounding gorgeous Mountains.

[@hutchhutchins]

Outside of the Strip and downtown, Las Vegas is nice and chill.

[@kennarajora6532]

@@thelastminmom5251 yeah, or the bodies buried in the desert.

[@laus9953]

such societies allow themselves less liberties than our mainstream - but look what has become of us now.. when we'll soon enter the greatest economic collapse ever plus the mayhem that is on the brink - while groups like amish and mennonites may not be affected at all..

[@larakr9]

I just love that the boy at 1:03 has a racoon as a pet.

[@DjinnRummy]

Lol I missed that, thx!!

[@AliBaba-mb1pu]

Have you just joined KZbin there's a lot of Rcoon pets haha enjoy!

[@Randomdive]

It's Rascal!

[@heirofthenazareen3812]

LOL I didn't notice that! :-)

[@beagoodhuman44]

You have such an amazing eye!

[@lisahoshowsky4251]

I’m so impressed that despite the fact she talked to them and respected their boundaries her photos still come off as so natural and candid. I’ve seen these photos before but never the photographer speak about them and it just gives these photos so much more depth of meaning.

[@jaynareynolds3684]

We live in Sarasota and the Amish and Mennonites are a blessing to our city. Beautiful people in all respects.

[@rmsf1072]

I appreciate how respectful you are of their cultural choices💖

[@KateeAngel]

Choices? Lol, most of them are indoctrinated since birth by the parents

[@1882osr]

​@@KateeAngel Is that any different to almost any other culture? Almost every other person around them sang a song to a flag every week or day in school for years.

[@emmanuelmedeiros7]

Everybody wants to raise their children according to what they believe to be right. It is being like that since humans existed, as it should be, as long as children are respected in their bodily integrity and don't suffer abuses. When they grow up, they can leave if they don't like it. At least Amish DID in fact homesteaded honestly all of their properties. Can the governments of the world claim the same? What about public education, isn't it "brainswashing" too?

[@Drskopf]

@@KateeAngel at least they can opt out of their grupo if they want and not face a brutal militarized repression with lots of deads and lack of freedom of speech, and human rights.. which is a luxury in countries like Turkmenistán, North Corea, Cuba, Nicaragua in the 80's, Myanmar

[@juliac3933]

Education beyond middle school should not be a choice

[@royalcassieMC]

As somebody who lives in the surrounding community of Pinecraft, it's very interesting to see how the neighborhood is seen from visitors. It is true about what she says with it being a sort of vacation spot for Amish individuals from other parts of country, however there is still a subset of the community that are year-round residents. Living here for as long as I have, the individuals portrayed in this video and in the artist's photographs are simply just my neighbors. They are local shop and restaurant owners (seriously, so many shops with such high quality crafted items) and the people you wave to and smile at as you both happen to be crossing the street at the same time. I think it can be easy to generalize a group and label them in anyway you wish, and that goes for any type of community or subculture, but these are the moments that remind us that no matter how you feel, there are still other humans with valuable lives on the other end. I enjoyed that the artist was able to capture the various cheerful moments, so many of which I often see when I am at the beach or getting ice cream.

[@davidseed2939]

there are so few feel good stories, This was really great because it was photos of people just as they are

[@fukutaichou1903]

Love how everything is shot in candid and shows the leisurely side of the Amish. I'm really digging the aesthetic too. They are really good with their color choices. Like it's just normal for them but everything looks so coordinated.

[@kathysemrau2301]

I never thought the Amish went on vacation. It's nice to see people just getting along. The photos were very nice.

[@kathysemrau2301]

Thank you for highlighting my comment.

[@kathysemrau2301]

Thank you again. It would be nice if we could get along. My parents had a cottage on the west side of Michigan, and we had Amish people farms around our cottege. It was like looking back in town when we would drive by. I would like wash day the best, cuz all the laundry would flap in the wind. The clothes would be arranged from big to small. Thank you for highlighting my comment.

[@strange-universe]

especially traveling any sort of distance. Imagine dragging 8 or 9 kids anywhere! The family next door to me just went on a trip to northern PA (3-1/2 to 4 hours in a vehicle) to look at elk and other wildlife for a few days. hmm, I never thought to ask them where they stayed, or how they got there.

[@JaspreetSingh-wj3lp]

It's fascinating to see how diverse things are.

[@creativebreathings]

I've met some of these Amish. It was interesting seeing more about their vacation community. I knew they traveled to Florida quite a bit, but had no idea about Pinecraft.

[@doriot543]

I love her shots! Beautiful moments captured beautifully

[@joetroyer8567]

One of the better pieces done on the Amish. She did her homework well.

[@ThreeRunHomer]

Originally some Amish came to Florida to farm in the winter. Word spread about how nice it was to spend winter in a warm place. Over the years the city of Sarasota grew and development consumed the farm land.

[@cliffp.8396]

Great story, and what a gift you've given the children and young people who were present.

[@Aoudhubillahi]

Outstanding. I am Muslim and I really really respect the Amish here in the US, and have for many many years.

[@DustinAxelson]

Respect all people.

[@thomasjackson2342]

@@DustinAxelson Not all people are deserving of respect. Respect is earned not gifted.

[@nasirehsan2397]

Really good work. Would like to see more stories like this.

[@AlexChavez-wz1ok]

Dina. I loved your presentation. The pictures were amazing too but your way of bringing the Amish and the world into a functional coexistence through your experience of their leisure time is so genuine. I love that you identified that while your ideals may differentiate, there is a common ground. Your respect for their values and religious characteristics was so beautifully conversed about. If only the rest of us would be willing to find a simple common ground though our beliefs or values disagreed, we'd be such a better world. I can say that while I really liked your skilled photography, it was your presentation what really kept me watching the video. And the gift of a vacation album to otherwise reserved peoples...Go on lady! Gett'em pictures goin'!!

[@tanvikhare9710]

Yes, letting go of differences and focusing on basic humanity, it's a very real thing. It's a thing. Like, I feel like sometimes, it's just not mentioned cause it's expected but it is a process that you have to effort into....you know.....and it's an important one at that. I'm glad this was done here

[@prhasn]

Amazing work. The best part is she was able to give them a print of their photos. Very impressive.

[@akarmoussaittizi3012]

I just heard of Pinecraft through a vlog by Peter Santanello and I must say that I was amazed how welcoming they were.There are so many misconceptions about them but as Dina said we should just let go or all our political or religious ideas and just foccuss on basic humanity.I would love meeting and just talking about the weather.

[@fiftyfishbottom]

Knew there an Amish community, when I lived there in Sarasota. There was an Amish restaurant on main road, it was great with home style meals and wonderful pies. Years later, I opened a B&B in WNC. Out of all guests, my favorite and became friends were from Lancaster, PA and Mennonite. I learned a lot from them. Her family still there, farmers and living Mennonite life. Explained to me different from Amish, they used tractors and drove trucks. Their daughter and athlete volleyball player, scholarship at nearby university. Great people.

[@sarabeth8050]

Of all organized religions, I respect the Amish the most. They don't try to get you to join (quite the opposite). They don't meddle in politics beyond voting. They are not violent nor seek violence against others. They are hard working and good at running businesses. They seem to get along quite well with non-Amish people and don't impose their views and opinions on to others. Yes, very different from other religions.

[@royaneekhalil6488]

Hardly. You are being as biased as those who only see the bad side. There is a dark belly to everything and religion has nothing to do with it- just humans being humans. So, do Amish gave good? Yes. But are amish truly all non-violent and peaceful and nice? Nope

[@Zenon0K]

@@royaneekhalil6488 Ya, but the odds. Statistically speaking there are going to be outliers in any set of data. The Amish happen to have put forth a very positive spin on their lot. There are people and communities that are damn near 100 percent bad (looking at it from a "civilized" point of view). That as much an anomaly as the Amish being overwhelmingly decent as a people. I'm approaching 30, live in Illinois, and and traveled all over the Midwest and East where most of these communities are my entire life. I've never had a personal bad interaction with any ever, and I can only think off the top of my head of the one specific scandal. Their towns and communities are safe, clean, there isn't crime to speak of whatsoever. Even the neighboring communities feel markedly different. Even the damn Buddishts have some savagery in their history and they are the stereotype for cheery and neighborly behavior, Amish make them feel like jerks.

[@jaijai5250]

@@royaneekhalil6488 exactly. The naive, gullible rhetoric that some spout is ridiculous. How can anybody make such sweeping generalisations about a community. Incest, sexual abuse and domestic abuse are also prevalent, but people choose to ignore these atrocities when it suits them KMT

[@ellagardener538]

Well Amish People secluded themselves from society in order to escape persecution their very survival depends upon it. You love them because they are secluded if they were in society wearing their tradition clothes and followed the religious scriptures in a modern society you would dislike them just like any other religious group. Now we can debate the ethics and choices of their practices good or bad however seculusion from society can have positive and negative outcomes. Like a lack of education and access to health services more rampant domestic violence or even forced marriages. Many religious people exist who have no interest in i posing their believes however you will see many secular people enforce their political and even militant ideologies like nationalism, socialism, Marxism, facism, libertarianism, ulitarianism etc. with just as much as fevrer as any religious extremist. One is considered more intellectual while the other is chastised as being backwards, fundamentally society has regressed both intellectually and morally even with advent of industrialisation in the post enlightenment era. People like the Amish have secluded themselves in order to avoid those problems and survive the best as they can which is through their core traditions and religious beliefs. Westernisation and colonisation of many countries who were once secluded like the Amish were forced to forgo their traditions and adopt foreign ones that has catrosphic affects as well as some positives. Many people see religion as the easy cop out reality is far more nuanced and complex.

[@nunyabiznes33]

Say what you want bout them but there's no doubt they'd survive a total collapse of the grid.

[@chorlauheung4920]

Fascinating!!

[@j101-d1q]

Kudos to you for your objectivity. Refreshing to see someone in your position check their bias at the door, just appreciating commonalities. Stunning work as well. Thank you for sharing.

[@WAKE-UP-BRITAIN]

I live in London so we don't have these communities obviously but I find it fascinating how they live

[@cherokeegypsy2617]

Really beautiful work, wonderful trained eye for group composition and colour. Thanks!

[@ThirdEngr]

The photo at 5:10 is spectacular. I really love the way the shutter speed captured the rain contrasting with the colors of the clothing of all of the people.

[@Pgoliat1]

The work that she does is so amazing. Thank God she had the opportunity and permission to take these photos.

[@LeToile9]

This so so special. Sensitive and kind and very creative in the best way. Well done Dina.

[@alexandermolins9863]

Beautiful both aesthetically and spiritually. Loved it!

[@pinkrose5796]

Love your photos of the Amish and the respect and kindness that you have for the people! I love to photograph scenery but you've given me some great ideas for taking photos of people!

[@Lazyeyewitness]

Great work! She's a photographer that obviously respects, and cares about the subject. I hope she continues going there!

[@LadywatchingByrd]

This was so insightful, well done, honest and beautiful. Thank you.

[@brentfisher902]

"What happens in Zarahemla, stays in Zarahemla."

[@mayling141]

This woman did an amazing job bringing to light that Amish & Mennonite are human beings too. KUDOS, Ms. Litovsky!

[@Livetoeat171]

Unfortunately, she just touched the outside of what these people look like in normal society. Their whole life is hell on this earth. The children are abused as well as the women and young girls as young as eight are made to marry men that are 40 or 50 years old and have their children. It's a very sick society but most people don't know anything about that.

[@sharonqaranivalu5152]

Fascinating, I grew up in PA. They were everywhere, yet so isolated. It's good to see them taking what is also theirs, the land and all of it's grandeur.

[@katrinkasanfranciscobayare7364]

Oh I didn't realize that each group of Amish, depending on what territory they're in, different rules apply. I thought the rules were the same in every Amish community.

[@Servallover]

My hometown in Tennessee has one of the strictest Amish communities in the country. They’re not even allowed to have their photos taken, play instruments, or take the bus, among other things.

[@katrinkasanfranciscobayare7364]

@@Servallover Wow thank you for sharing.

[@singingstars5006]

@@Servallover I was surprised by these photos because I thought all Amish forbid photography!

[@coreywilliams1454]

Each Amish community developed independently, so it makes sense for them to have different rules.

[@nunyabiznes33]

@@Servallover I understand the photos but what the heck about not playing instruments?! They never heard of David?

[@colettemcwilliams1325]

Very cool. I really like that you gave the books to the Amish families. What a great gift!!

[@h8rh8r]

I've seen something very similar in Coronado Island in SD. I'm not sure if they were Mennonite or Amish but it was so nice to watch them enjoying the ocean on a beautiful sunny day 🌞 🌴

[@vibrantscolor]

The photo at 3.20 is like a painting, very well taken. Very interesting documentary, thanks for sharing.

[@jewishspacelaseroperator5410]

Okay hear me out here, AMISH OLYMPICS

[@CindyCindyBoBindy]

Great idea! I imagine the beach volleyball would require a bit more clothing than we see in the regular Olympics!

[@The2ndToLastViking]

I've lived my whole life in Lancaster County and I am also Mennonite, though not the plain sort at all. In my job I am in conversation with the Amish every daay. This piece is truly authentic and the beautiful photos capture so well the nature of the Amish and Mennonite people, perhaps the best I've ever seen. Thank you for such a respectful and beautiful piece on what is usually misunderstood and stereotypical portrayals of who these people really are

[@thommysides4616]

Thank you for showing proper respect to these dear people. They are truly a national treasure!!!

[@MessyLittlePixie]

I just moved to Sarasota, really close to Pinecraft, and I had a lot of questions about the Amish area here. Thank you for shedding some light!

[@kayerin5749]

If you are in Sarasota have you seen Lynette Yoder's KZbin channel? She and her family moved down to Sarasota a couple of years ago and love it. Her husband occasionally helps with the buses that take the visiting Amish/Mennonite folks to and from. I really love her channel for housekeeping and decorating in a minimalist yet homey style.

[@MessyLittlePixie]

@@kayerin5749 Thank you for the suggestion, I will check it out! Maybe it'll help us put away the last of these things haha

[@BlazVeber69]

I came here after the "Peter Santinello" video. He called it Amish Las Vegas too.

[@rtdmna]

Same, lol

[@samoi1616]

All the pictures look like paintings im in awe

[@admagnificat]

Fantastic work, Ms. Litovsky and the BBC. Thank you.

[@janesmith9024]

It is lovely that they can take home the book of photographs. I take some really poor pictures of my 5 children on holiday over the last 30 years. It is such a shame. I wish we had a nice book like this one.

[@lynnmovingon]

This is awesome! Focus on the common things...

[@fredhoy6697]

Outstanding! I loved seeing this group portrayed as being just like everyone else....only a little differently. Great job.

[@awesomealie8179]

I respect folks who keeps traditions alive. It keeps their culture unique.

[@Ian-nl9yd]

Ian 0 seconds ago I grew up in Pinecraft! My own family wasn't Mennonite, but the house was just cheap. Grew up a short walk from Lockleer Park. Many of my friends and playmates growing up were, of course, Amish or Mennonite. They love basketball and they love fishing. A few played video games as well. Emma's Pizza is the best pizza in all of Sarasota!

[@seankalleyart]

This was really beautiful to watch. Thanks for sharing this.

[@cojiro9616]

This is incredibly interesting, great work!

[@missmary8878]

Beautiful work, the girls at the seaside were lovely, all of the picture were fantastic well done! Best wishes from Ireland.

[@Caocao8888]

Beautiful photos! This video is a real gem.

[@courtneyrobinson3465]

So beautifully captured

[@khadijah9604]

Such beautiful photographs, definitely very paining like

[@FeralSpirit]

Just Amazing!!! Thank You.

[@AilsaPehi]

Wow. AWESOME assignment. Fabulous imagery. Balanced insight. I've learned! Makes me smile.

[@davidlang1125]

Lovely depiction of the Amish and Mennonites in their rare moment of leisure. The photographer rendered them in a most authentic and sympathetic light.

[@WholeHeartily]

🥺 I love that you gave them the photos as gifts

[@pompey333]

These pictures are amazing!

[@71daisygrl]

Beautiful, thankyou x

[@QuietSpacePhotoStudioLLC]

I like to be a tourist in my own state and I have been here! There's a restaurant called Yoders they have with a little shop of handmade items. The food is home cooked and the most amazing pies and chicken! I think it was featured on one of those foodie shows once. Amazing!

[@johnnyb7825]

Very well done Dina! Keep up your beautiful photo story Shots.

[@SoapinTrucker]

Wow!!!!!! Excellent video, explaining a lot, teaching a lot, capturing life, respectfully! Well done, thank you for your perspective! 💯😎👍

[@DugOrion]

Dina, thank you.

[@_robustus_]

My degree is in n anthropology and yet I had never heard anything about vacationing Amish. I just thought they would consider it part of the world that is to be avoided.

[@MrMorjo]

There have been Amish communities like the ones in this video which have decided to open up more to the modern world. However, the orthodox communities of course wouldn't stray too far from the original ideology.

[@bettyd8320]

I went to Alaska and the Himalayas and saw Amish folk traveling there as well. I was very surprised... good for them though 👍

[@duskflower8825]

Whenever I'm at Yosemite National Park, I almost always see a group of Mennonite tourists on the areas with paved trails.

[@lauraswihart8018]

I loved seeing the older women on bikes! So happy !💖

[@tnijoo5109]

This was so good. Amazing story. Amazing photos.

[@marvelholt21]

theres a small Mennonite community outside dover, Delaware, they run a grocery/bulk store called bylers, and its got its own buggy parking lot. I wonder if any of the people who i used to see shopping and working there have gone to pinecraft.

[@sarahferguson0]

That's really cool. We all partake of leisure activities and showing that just proves that we all want the same things in the end.

[@kkm227]

Nothing strange some people want to protect their culture and values in the time of losing values.

[@peach7469]

Retrogressive

[@MarianadeOliveiraSaitu]

changing values.*

[@SK-ns6sl]

I agree. With the immorality spreading everywhere, keeping your values safe and intact is most important. Especially when people have forgotten there is such a thing as good values, and everything seems expendible

[@ellagardener538]

People like the Amish who were once persecuted chose seclusion in order to survive. In many ways it highlights how even with industrialistan and post enlightened secularism and the so called death of god in western society many society who chose to live by a religious moral code can have wonderful rich complex societies. It’s unfortunate so many countries particularly in ME and Asia see progress as becoming western when good morals and upbringing will lead to a just industrialist society not the selfish individual identity crisis that is full of consumerism, depression, corruption and immorality that is leading generations being lost.

[@kkm227]

@@ellagardener538 well said. I don't know where are you from, But I rarely heard western people see the new system as you explained. They always compare their evolved community with the others in the 3rd world and they think that they are in heaven and there is no possible better way of living.

[@yanseasons77]

beautiful people, beautiful pictures

[@thebeesknees2762]

This was lovely!

[@jimjohns9595]

The photographer should follow this up with photos from their homes and work. She has a gift.

[@lauramannyvlogs6675]

Wow this makes me want to become a photographer! Amazing!

[@bellebelle7532]

Awesome doco! L💚VE IT!! XXX

[@christinawatkinsyoutube]

This photographer is so awesome! Love her documentation

[@msb539]

Beautiful photographer

[@emma_m2463]

Omg the Amish little girl on the hoverboard 🤣😂😂🤣

[@cyclingcmdr]

Great narration by the photographer. I can tell she likes how the photographs turned out.

[@andyginterblues2961]

Mennonites were very kind and helpful when my family first bought our farm in upstate N.Y. They are great carpenters and farmers. I hired on with a family of Mennonite carpenters for a summer. Pretty sure that Amish aren't allowed to own motor vehicles, at least not in N.Y. state, they hire Mennonites and other "English" to drive them to cattle auctions, etc. The white mesh caps that are worn by Mennonite women are called "hookies" in New York, I have no idea why, it's possibly local slang.

[@Shamuto7]

I honestly understand how she feels towards the group behavior portrayed in the photography. It looks dynamic and alive when it was taken in group, there's a community that shows a lot for us to be so interested in that moment.

[@aberamagold7509]

Their beach volleyball looks a little different than what we see in the Olympics.

[@costernocht]

I once saw an Amish (or Mennonite) family in Union Station, Denver, one night, and was transfixed by how beautiful they were.

[@browneyedotter1010]

I love the Big Olaf ice cream, the amish run ice cream store! Always a good place to go on a nice evening

[@haltomont1012]

Awesome Dina what a good portrayal. I'm from a community near Kitchener Ontario and left in my teens but I have been there. It's not as restrictive as people think and the rule is being changed gradually

[@FoodwaysDistribution]

What makes it a "Las Vegas", it's more like an innocent family holiday resort.

[@ortegaperu8510]

Clickbait

[@JO-ly3hi]

I always looked at the Sapphire and little Darlings as kind of a family thing...you know, one is mothers and the other is daughters!🤣😂🤣😂

[@theobserver3753]

Great shots.

[@crazy4wavescoasters741]

Beautiful photos!

[@HosCreates]

These seem more Mennonite. Hopefully they introduce new blood into their communities when they come for vacation meet and marry. alot of them are inter marying and have small genetic pool which causes medical issues in the children.

[@daichimax]

Beautiful Job!

[@khalelahb]

Thank you. 🌹