Quartzsite, Arizona is pretty much exactly what I thought it would be, but I didn't expect the feelings that it brought up inside of me. Immediately upon arriving at our campsite Thursday night, we were greeted by 15 odd "hippies" in all matters of dirt, dishevelment, and blank stares. My immediate thought about these people was that they were all a bunch of losers, but the more I think about it, the more I ask - is it really any worse than the way most Americans choose to live their lives? Are those that live through meaningless jobs, unhappy marriages, and the control of conformity really any better when we don't even know what the point of life is? Shouldn't we all just do what makes us happy???? Why should we do something just because society is telling us to?
The main problem I have with this lifestyle is the choice to take from anyone that offers a helping hand, just so the traveling lifestyle can be perpetuated. I spent yesterday at a Christian homeless shelter, where I got condescending stares because I refused to eat their free meals. I don't need handouts - I pride myself on being an able-bodied person who can provide for myself. Especially when there are tons of starving children in America who don't yet have the ability to provide for themselves. It's partially this particular Christian church's problem for perpetuating the problem by letting these people take from them, but I put most of the blame on this nomadic underworld of "hippies" that somehow feel like they're "beating the system", yet gratefully take from all these people that represent "the system." It especially bothers me that are so sure that their way is right and that because they found this out, they are above the rest of society.
I don't fit in here - it's obvious - my clothes aren't soiled, my hair isn't dreaded, and my vocabulary spans more than 20 words. I realized that would happen, but what frustrates me is the rude way some people have treated me for being different and not living my life in the same way they do. I thought the whole "hippie" thing was about peace, understanding, and acceptance - so why are they shunning me for being myself? I love who I am, and I'm confident enough in that to do what I want and not what other people want or expect me to do, so shouldn't they respect that? Wake up and realize that the world is never, ever, ever going to see eye to eye, and the realistic thing to do is just respect everyone for their differing opinions.
While I think traveling is essential to discovering who you are and what you want out of life, I've also decided that there are two important guidelines when on the road: Respect and Self-sufficiency. Before I went backpacking in Europe I read a lot of blogs that said how important it was to always keep yourself clean and presentable, as well as respectful of locals no matter where you were. You have this amazing opportunity to travel, and you shouldn't ruin it by disrespecting those who don't have the same opportunities. Plus, you're never going to experience another's culture to its full potential if you don't first respect it (even if you don't agree with it). In addition, I think everyone on the road should practice self-sufficiency. That isn't to say you should refuse something if it's offered to you out of kindness, but you shouldn't rely on other people for everything or expect to subsist only on other people's kindness.
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