Hippie is also a way of life attitude 😜😜😜
I have always been curious about the hippie community. Who are they? Why do they rebel against tradition and politics? What is their way of life like? So, I decided to explore their world and personally experience their culture and beliefs.
I chose San Francisco, California in the United States as my destination because it is the birthplace and center of the hippie movement. I found an address for a hippie commune online and plan to stay there for a few days to see how they live together.
After arriving in San Francisco, I took a bus to the Haight-Ashbury district, where hippies gather. As soon as I got off the bus, I was shocked by the scene in front of me. The streets were filled with young people wearing colorful and fancy clothes, with flower wreaths or headscarves on their heads, and holding guitars or harmonicas in their hands. Some were singing and dancing, some were drawing graffiti, some were performing, and some were handing out flyers or brochures. They all had a carefree expression, bright smiles, and a dreamy look in their eyes. They looked happy and friendly, hugging and kissing each other without distinction.
I walked along the street for a while and found the commune I was looking for. It was an old three-story building with colorful patterns and words painted on the exterior walls. There was a sign hanging at the entrance that read "House of Love and Peace". I knocked on the door and a man with long hair, a scruffy beard, wearing jeans and a jacket opened it. He saw me and...
After introducing myself, saying that I am a traveler interested in hippies and wanting to stay here for a few days to learn about their way of life, he warmly took my hand and said, "Great! We are happy to meet you. You can find a room to stay in as long as you are willing to share your things and stories. There are no rules or restrictions here, only love and peace. You can do whatever you want as long as you don't hurt others or yourself. You can participate in our activities and gatherings, or explore the city on your own. We are all friends, we are all brothers and sisters."
After speaking, he took me into the house and introduced me to the other people living here. They were men and women, white, black, Asian, and Latino. Some were students, some were artists, some were musicians, some were writers, and some were unemployed. They all had a common name, called "Hippies", meaning "playful people". They said they were a group of young people who held ideals of "love and peace" in their hearts, and used pure spirit to resist the established values of society. They pursued freedom, equality, universal love, innovation, and self-realization.
I was infected by their enthusiasm and quickly immersed myself in their atmosphere. I ate, slept, sang, danced, chatted, and played games with them. I found that their life was simple and happy. They didn't have fixed jobs or income, but they always found ways to sustain their lives, such as selling art, handmade products, doing odd jobs, or receiving relief funds. They didn't care about material wealth or poverty, only spiritual satisfaction or emptiness. They didn't have private property or privacy, but they always shared each other's things and stories, such as food, clothes, books, music, movies, experiences, and so on. They didn't follow any rules or restrictions, but they always respected each other's choices and wishes, such as faith, love, sexual orientation, entertainment, and so on.
I also joined them in some activities and gatherings, such as protesting against the Vietnam War in the park, listening to Far Eastern metaphysics and religious practices in the church, and enjoying rock and folk music at music festivals. I felt their passion for life and love, as well as their confusion about ideals and the future. I found that they were not a group of idle and decadent people, but a group of thoughtful, emotional, and creative people. They expressed their views and attitudes towards the world in their own way, and also sought their own happiness and meaning in their own way.
I have been living here for five days, during which I have met many new friends and learned a lot of new knowledge. I think this is a very unforgettable and meaningful trip, which has broadened my horizons and made me re-examine myself. I don't know if the hippie lifestyle is suitable for me, but I respect their choices and appreciate their sharing.