Mojave Dave
New Member
Hi all,
I'm one of the original Southern California hippies that congregated in Isla Vista in the early 60's, the small college town next to UCSB (University of California at Santa Barbara). In those day true "hippies" weren't about getting high as often as possible. It was more of a mindset. The world was full of wanna-be hippies that made the real hippies look bad with all explosion in drug trafficking.
Hippes grew their own pot right next to their vegitable plots.
When Communes became popular, I bounced from one to the other with my brother, Patrick, and learned a lot about people and their base beliefs...mainly that everyone should be able to live as they wish without fear of hassle from the law. Be yourself, be a free spirit, "fuck (sorry ladies) the government!" they all said when congregating around camp fires for a pipe-passing session.
Communes were great in my opinion. They claimed to love you unconditionally just because you exist, and that set oretty well with me. They took virtually anyone in who expressed an interest in their unique lifestyle, and showed them uncommon generosity and all the "free love" they could handle. They also gave away a lot of venereal diseases.
All was well until someone decided to put a string around their tomato garden or whatever, and that made it political. Then the whole idea sort of went to shit.
But the underlying philosophies that hippes brought to the world will always survive. Those of love for humanity, nature, and yourself.
I am rather proud to count myself among those fine people who have ultimately dispersed back into their communities. Although I am part of the "establishment" now and wear my hair short, worked a real job all virtually of my adult life and paid taxes to "the man", I am-- and always will be-- a hippie at heart.
Peace...
I'm one of the original Southern California hippies that congregated in Isla Vista in the early 60's, the small college town next to UCSB (University of California at Santa Barbara). In those day true "hippies" weren't about getting high as often as possible. It was more of a mindset. The world was full of wanna-be hippies that made the real hippies look bad with all explosion in drug trafficking.
Hippes grew their own pot right next to their vegitable plots.
When Communes became popular, I bounced from one to the other with my brother, Patrick, and learned a lot about people and their base beliefs...mainly that everyone should be able to live as they wish without fear of hassle from the law. Be yourself, be a free spirit, "fuck (sorry ladies) the government!" they all said when congregating around camp fires for a pipe-passing session.
Communes were great in my opinion. They claimed to love you unconditionally just because you exist, and that set oretty well with me. They took virtually anyone in who expressed an interest in their unique lifestyle, and showed them uncommon generosity and all the "free love" they could handle. They also gave away a lot of venereal diseases.
All was well until someone decided to put a string around their tomato garden or whatever, and that made it political. Then the whole idea sort of went to shit.
But the underlying philosophies that hippes brought to the world will always survive. Those of love for humanity, nature, and yourself.
I am rather proud to count myself among those fine people who have ultimately dispersed back into their communities. Although I am part of the "establishment" now and wear my hair short, worked a real job all virtually of my adult life and paid taxes to "the man", I am-- and always will be-- a hippie at heart.
Peace...