Hippieland

Welcome to Hippieland!

It's a beautiful day with the sun shining down on the island where Hippieland is located somewhere in the Caribbean. The town is coming alive following the amazing sunset. Music is starting to play across the island. The peace loving, drama free laid back, relaxed music loving, fun loving people of Hippieland begin to exit their beach houses and inland cottages. The town center complex opens it's doors while fellow hippies gather in the midst of the outside courtyard.

The gathering place, as it's known, plays The Beach Boys "Good Vibrations" to start the first day of the new year off right. The crowd begins dancing to the groove of the music. Out of the entrance comes the current person in charge, yours truly, Hippie Beachbum. Dressed in a tie-dye tank top with Bermuda shorts and a turquoise pair of sandals. My brown long, shoulder length hair is combed back with a freshly trimmed moustache and beard (with a hint of gray) to kick start the new year right.

"Happy New Year fellow hippies!" I exclaim after stepping up to the microphone of the island wide PA system.

"It's 4:20 somewhere so light up and start the day right! Today we are at 82 degrees with a few clouds in the bright blue sky. For those who arrived yesterday afternoon, welcome to Hippieland! Today's agenda is a relaxed, laid back day. The sailboats will be leaving at 9am. The fishing boats will find their way to the deep sea at 10am. Hippie's Hangout will open it's doors at 12pm this afternoon following todays deep clean. It's Thursday, so The Hippie Beachbum Show will be live from Hippie's Hangout at 5 o'clock somewhere! Parasailing will be available from 9am to 5pm. Lunch will be available from 12pm to 2pm in the cafeteria. Dinner will be served from 5pm to 7pm. Restaurants will serve at their normal hours. Don't forget, Hippie's Hangout is a smokable area, inside and out! Schooner's Pub and Tiki Bar opened at 7am. THC infused food buffet will start at 11am. Tonight's beach bonfire will be on Starshine Beach on the west side starting at 9pm. The Hippie Beachbum Band will performing at Hippie's Hangout beginning at 8pm. Sunflower will be performing an acoustic set outside at Schooner's Tiki Bar on Tranquility Beach. The Moonshiners will be inside Schooner's Pub. The Magic Bus, driven by Daisy with Butterfly monitoring, will be on the beach route. If there are any problems, please see my assistant Mary Jane, she will inform me while I DJ from Hippie's Hangout. Everyone have a fabulous morning and make sure to have a blast!"

After ending the morning announcements, I re-enter the gathering place. The gathering place is a horseshoe building that surrounds three sides of the courtyard. The middle building holds the administrative office overseen by Mary Jane. There is a community room that offers coffee, doughnuts and is a smokable environment. Another room is a music centered room playing all different kinds of music. There's a quiet room available for those who enjoy spiritual meditation and/or prayer. The final room in the middle building is offered as a room that play spiritual music for those who are embarking on a spiritual journey. The left side of the building contains rooms for public speakers who teach and discuss societal issues. The right side of the building holds rooms for spiritual teachings and discussions. The gathering place is one of the popular attractions in Hippieland.

I enter the community room and retrieve a cup of coffee. My assistant, Mary Jane is sitting at one of the small round tables. I walk over and sit down.

"Good morning, Mary Jane!" I say as I bring my cup of coffee to my lips.

She responds cordially. I ask if there are any issues that need my attention. She lets me know there are none at the moment. She's a attractive brunette around her mid-thirties. She joined my crazy life in the early days of The Hippie Beachbum Show over four years ago. She began as a volunteer. I met her at a local marijuana dispensary and struck up a conversation about her preference of marijuana and which strain she preferred. We hit off quickly. We talked for about thirty minutes and exchanged contact information to hangout in the future. After I learned she majored in business for a little bit in college, I began thinking about how that could be a good benefit for our friendship. I needed someone with a business frame of mind to help with my creative projects at the time. I tend to get lost in creativeness when my creative juices flow freely.

"What kind of rabbit trail of songs do you have in mind for today's music and songs for the show?" She asks.

"I'm feeling beachy today." I respond.

"I could tell when you started with "Good Vibrations" this morning." She says as she takes a drink of coffee.

I look around the room seeing who is amongst us in the community room. I notice a young man sitting alone at one of the small tables. I become curious about him. Why is he alone on an island of like minded people of all ages? He looks young, probably in his twenties, with blue eyes and blonde hair. He might be on the singles package that is available. My curiosity, also known as my Sherlock (aka Sherlock Holmes), has been activated. I stand an go to the table he is sitting at.

"Good morning, I'm Hippie, how are you doing today?" I say.

"Good morning," he exclaims as he looks up at me, "I'm Freddie Rose, I'm wonderful today. Looking forward to some relaxation on the beach."

Great to hear!" I respond, "Relaxing on the beach is a terrific way to spend a day. What brings you to Hippieland?"

"I'm a burnt out stock broker who needed a change of scenery before I melted down too much." He states, "I saw the ad for Hippieland and felt a jump in my heart. I knew I needed a place to go. I remember my high school and college days filled with good friends and music. I'm turning thirty in a few days. I've been married and divorced, had an amazing 4 year old son who lives in New York City with his mother. Our separation and divorce was amicable and cordial. We grew apart when I was bogged down with stocks and bonds. I made a good amount to support myself and my family. Luck was on my side when picking stocks."

Like usual, he opens up about his life like other people tend to do with me. I sit down, joining him at the table.

"I'm glad you made it here." I tell him, "I like meeting our travelers and getting to know them. Hippieland was created for people just like you. We have all sorts of people here. All over eighteen. We've had people ranging from eighteen to folks in their eighties. There've been folks from various countries. A few of our fellow hippies have even purchased bungalows and live here full time. People who come here are likhe minded. The only trouble here is running out of marijuana."

Freddie laughs.

"Speaking of which, wanna smoke?" I ask.

"Absolutely! I'm a high supporter of the use of marijuana." He responds.

I pull out my pipe, nicknamed Miami because that's where I purchased it, and place a piece of flower inside the pipe. I light is up and receive a wonderful tasting couple of hits. I pass Miami to Freddie and he takes a couple of hits. We exchange the pipe for a second round. I sit back and let the hits sink in.

"That's the way to start a relaxing morning," I exclaim.

Freddie smiles in agreement.

"Other than the beach, what parts of Hippieland attracts you?" I ask.

"Playing music. I used to play a little guitar and sing back in high school. I'm looking forward to being able to play again while I'm here. I'm also looking forward to a day at the spa. A little pampering never hurts." He says with a smile.

"Groovy! Music is a way of life here," I tell him, "All forms of music is acceptable here. We encourage musical growth. I look forward to hearing you play. I play guitar and sing myself. I enjoy the open jam sessions. The eclectic mix of musicians work well together. There've been a few all night jam sessions that were amazing. You can practice at Hippie's Hangout then join in a jam session if you choose. We have guitars, acoustic and electric, available for everyone. I prefer the acoustic guitar, you can play it anywhere."

"Sounds great," says Freddie, "I'll definitely be at Hippie's Hangout later today."

"Cool! I have to boogie. Duty calls. Have a blast!" I say as I get up from the table.

I walk outside the community room and take in the majesty of the morning sights and smells. Time to get to work.

To be continued...........