The Age of Aquarius may be long gone, and free love swallowed up by the free market, but there are still a few corners of the world that cling on to the hippy ethos. Whether it’s trying to create sustainable mini-communities, sticking two fingers up at the government or descending into a haze of potent smoke, these enclaves are usually completely at odds with their surroundings. Which, of course, makes them fascinating places to visit.
Christiania
Where: Christiania is a semi-independent enclave of Copenhagen, Denmark.
History: The free town emerged as a protest against the Danish government in 1971. Residents were angry at the lack of affordable housing and took over a former army barracks. The idea is that “every individual holds themselves responsible over the wellbeing of the entire community.”
Today: Christiania is still highly controversial, largely because of the open drug-taking and dealing within the community. The hippy ethic lives on through the bars, clubs and stores, though.
Chefchaouen
Where: In the Rif mountains, northern Morocco.
History: From 1494 to 1920, Chefchaouen was pretty much cut off from the outside world, with many outsiders (particularly Christians) killed rather than allowed to enter. When it did open up, it became a magnet for those wanting to drop in and relax; a real traveller haven.
Today: The town is gradually sprucing itself up for the bigger-spending markets, but the main delights are still just chilling out, bartering at the Kasbah and nipping into darkened cafés that are scarcely-concealed smoking dens.
Nimbin
Where: Near Byron Bay on the east coast of Australia.
History: Nimbin was a backwater dairy town until 1973, when the Aquarius festival descended upon it. Since then it has become a byword for counter-culture in Australia.
Today: The village is a ramshackle place, with possibly the highest beard-per-square-metre ratio in the world. Expect dotty old women offering exceptionally potent cakes, shops selling beads and incense and the world’s messiest museum. Nimbin also hosts the Hemp Embassy and the highly unsubtle Mardi Grass festival every May.
Machynlleth
Where: Right in the middle of Wales, north-east of Aberystwyth.
History: In 1973, businessman Gerard Morgan-Grenville decided to turn to environmentalism and set up the Centre for Alternative Technology, an eco centre with a mission to find different ways of powering things and recycling material. It was founded in a disused slate quarry.
Today: The CAT is still there, and the ethos has spread to the town of Machynlleth. A lot of homes are simple tents or caravans, while the Centre is a surprisingly slick exhibition space. Amongst the wind turbines are a self-heating shop, solar-powered phones and the like.
Sedona
Where: In Arizona, USA, north of Phoenix.
History: Once primarily known as a setting for Hollywood westerns, Sedona was hijacked by the New Age brigade in the 1980s. It became a fashionable hang-out once it became known that Native Americans believed Sedona to be where metaphysical energy from the earth is released via vortexes.
Today: It’s a major alternative lifestyle centre, and an increasingly upmarket one. Vortex maps are available at the visitor centre, whilst the rest of the town is filled with art galleries, organic restaurants and all manner of curious ‘medical’ practitioners.
This article was originally written for AOL UK.
Copyright David Whitley
