Monday, May 21, 2012

HIP TO BE THERE

As a writer…
I’m observant…
Or as some have scolded me,
“You’re staring at people again. Stop it.”
But  when I go to Tulum…
I can’t help it…
It’s an observable city…
The ruins, the Maya people, (who live like ordinary folk)…
The local shops and great eateries...
The nature preserves, and of course the beaches.
But mostly I stare...er I mean 'observe'…
The hippies. Every genre of them.
And trust me, I know hippies…
I’ve been to love-ins at Griffith Park way back when…
When the first hippies gathered in droves...
And whirled barefoot and high to music I couldn’t hear.
In Tulum you can actually see a few of those original hippies…
Evidenced by the length of their dreads…
The grunge around their toenails…
And rail thin leathery bodies with old tattoos.
Then there are the newbie hippies…
With their short dreads, clean faces…
Fat on their bones, and new tattoos.
There’s also the backpacker hippies…
Disheveled young foreigners roaming the streets…
In search of a hostel and a doobie.
And finally there are the tourist hippies…
Those bandana and hippie bangle wearing wannabes...
Trying to have an experience while on vacation.
So?
Ever been, dressed like, or wanted to be a hippie? 
Or...
Have you ever been scolded for 'observing' too long?

Always, Em-Musing

8 comments:

Sarah said...

Haha--I love your take on the different genres of hippies! Very well described. I've never really wanted to be one. And I've never been scolded for observing ... it's a key part of my job! Both of them, actually :)

Jennifer Shirk said...

Ha! Luckily I've never been scolded for staring--er, observing. (Probably because I wear sunglasses all the time--even when it's raining) LOL

Shay Lacy said...

I wanted to be a hippie but missed it by a smidge. I have been scolded by friends for not paying attention to them because I'm observing elsewhere. I'm going to try Jennifer's suggestion. LOL

Gossip_Grl said...

Nice story and still laughing at the hippie. I think there is one in all of us just waiting to come out. To be honest I think the only thing I am scolded for anymore is, "OMG you have to go again?" Uh, yeah- (from the older weak bladder.)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You just observe all you want! No desire to be a hippie. I was too young for that era anyway.

Anonymous said...

Great observations. No I daren't stare too long incase someone thumps me! LOL!

ilima said...

I am such a people watcher. My husband constantly has to tell me to stop staring! :)

DL Hammons said...

Nah...my wife and I both enjoy "observing" people. Now if I'm staring at a woman who could seriously use breast-reduction surgery and/or a T-shirt a couple sizes larger...now then I might get a slap on the back of the head! :)