Post by kuriti on Mar 16, 2020 10:42:01 GMT -5
Since we are all locked in doors and need something to talk about other than concert cancellations, Endless Summer brought up a topic that I have been fascinated with over the years, The Rainbow Family. I figure this group might have a higher probability than most for experiences with them. I will share my limited experience and the reasons I find them interesting, please to do the same:
I find all outlier societies interesting. Driving through NYC recently, we went through a Hasidic Jewish neighborhood that seemed to go on for a long time. I was fascinated that there is a sub-set of people who keep to themselves completely, even in the biggest city in the US. Irish Travelers, Amish, Mormons, you name it I think it is interesting. The Rainbows are interesting much like Irish Travelers or Gypsies in Europe as they operate as a completely underground society that most people don't even know exist.
My buddy lived with them for a month back when I was in college. He got "married" there to a girl who had no Social Security ID at the big circle or whatever it is called. I know they were started as a traveling commune and annual meet up of like minded hippies, but I would say that things "evolved". I helped my buddy haul a bunch of camping supplies to his site during his time with them in the Ocala NF. We were carrying lots of shit in the Florida sun and passing people. Everyone was saying "Welcome home, I love you" as we passed, which was weird to me at the time. We passed a 40ish looking guy and he stopped us angrily and said, "Hey! You just passed a brother and didn't even offer him something!" He dressed us down for not being kind, so I think we gave him some water and probably smoked him out. I kept thinking, "you didn't offer to help us haul in all this shit." This guy seemed like an intimidator, twisting the nature of the place to get stuff off the obvious newbs he knew would not be around very long and were funded by their parents. I assumed that tourists like us were a primary source for resources, so the relationship was somewhat symbiotic. My buddy got hippy bona fidas to take back to Babylon and they got ramen and his tent when he finally gave up.
We spent the rest of the day there and I don't really remember any other interactions other than being paranoid as hell when we left from the cops that buzz around the camp like flies. I am not suggesting the guy that we interacted with is the norm, I have limited data and make no judgements, but interested in anybody else's experiences with them. Please share.
Incidentally, my buddy moved back home with his new bride. It fell apart shortly thereafter and since the marriage had no legal standing, she just went back "home".
I find all outlier societies interesting. Driving through NYC recently, we went through a Hasidic Jewish neighborhood that seemed to go on for a long time. I was fascinated that there is a sub-set of people who keep to themselves completely, even in the biggest city in the US. Irish Travelers, Amish, Mormons, you name it I think it is interesting. The Rainbows are interesting much like Irish Travelers or Gypsies in Europe as they operate as a completely underground society that most people don't even know exist.
My buddy lived with them for a month back when I was in college. He got "married" there to a girl who had no Social Security ID at the big circle or whatever it is called. I know they were started as a traveling commune and annual meet up of like minded hippies, but I would say that things "evolved". I helped my buddy haul a bunch of camping supplies to his site during his time with them in the Ocala NF. We were carrying lots of shit in the Florida sun and passing people. Everyone was saying "Welcome home, I love you" as we passed, which was weird to me at the time. We passed a 40ish looking guy and he stopped us angrily and said, "Hey! You just passed a brother and didn't even offer him something!" He dressed us down for not being kind, so I think we gave him some water and probably smoked him out. I kept thinking, "you didn't offer to help us haul in all this shit." This guy seemed like an intimidator, twisting the nature of the place to get stuff off the obvious newbs he knew would not be around very long and were funded by their parents. I assumed that tourists like us were a primary source for resources, so the relationship was somewhat symbiotic. My buddy got hippy bona fidas to take back to Babylon and they got ramen and his tent when he finally gave up.
We spent the rest of the day there and I don't really remember any other interactions other than being paranoid as hell when we left from the cops that buzz around the camp like flies. I am not suggesting the guy that we interacted with is the norm, I have limited data and make no judgements, but interested in anybody else's experiences with them. Please share.
Incidentally, my buddy moved back home with his new bride. It fell apart shortly thereafter and since the marriage had no legal standing, she just went back "home".