Review on my personal experience as a Rainbow warrior
Euphoria has taken over me: I've found my hippie haven, my home. It's got no roof, no wheels or address; just all stripped down to an epicurean's essentials : love, peace, respect, freedom and nature. This magical, seemingly unreal small-scaled utopia is better known as a Rainbow Gathering, and if you've never heard of it, get ready for an epic mind blow.
1st impressions :
Map in hand and heart drumming up with excitement, the search for this sacred spot feels like a treasure hunt: adventure awaits! After a few zig zags, I stumble upon Joe, a brother who guides me passed the gold field, into a forest where I follow the path down. The colorful ribbons and "welcome home" signs leave no doubt: this is it. A small group of people sitting in a circle greet me with hugs as I arrive. I'm just in time for the morning food circle, good thing I brought a bowl and spoon to devour this killer porridge with my new brothers and sisters. The dream-like setting is ideal: nature is all around us, car sounds have been replaced by the singing of birds and a few yards up the valley, there's a banging view of the whole of Brighton. I was hooked.
Overwhelmed by this mish mash of beautiful people with wonderful souls and what is possibly the most blissful atmosphere I have ever felt, it takes me a few days to indulge this cocktail of mixed emotions. Is this for real? Am I dreaming? As much as it felt like it, there was nothing more real than this bunch of happy hippies living together in their ephemeral community. Oh my, I kept thinking, I found paradise.
What to expect:
A Rainbow Gathering is something so unique that you can only really understand once you live the experience. Nonetheless, here's a few spoilers for the curious ones...
- No one refers to it as a "festival" due to the commercial connotations associated to the word. Rainbow Gatherings are entirely free, open to everyone and usually last up to a month. There are no stalls, no stage, no line-up, merchandise or schedule; it's all about peace, love and community-living.
- Environmentally conscious beings who will leave without a trace
- A lot of uplifting singing & jamming to keep the good vibes on high (bring your instruments!)
- Inspiring encounters with creative folks who have scattered the globe penniless and keep going with the flow
- Alcohol is a no go so keep your booze away from sight
- Tobacco & drugs are tolerated but not encouraged
- Meals are usually 100% vegan so that the whole family can eat together (meat lovers, make sure to ask before grilling that steak)
- During the day, there are often some funky workshops (plant healing, massages, natural medicine ceremonies, you name it) given by Rainbows who want to share their knowledge. Feel free to be one of them or simply take part and enjoy
- An occasional skinny dipping in the closest water point if the weather allows it
- A strong sense of unity. Rainbow hugs can last minutes, hours or transform into a massive hug nap formed of a dozen hippies or more! Everyone is a brother or sister- which makes it easy for those bad at remembering names!
- As any community should work, Rainbow Gatherings are created from the people which means everyone takes part someway or another. This can be by collecting wood, water, helping out in the kitchen or digging a few shit pits, your call!
Sounds all like a crazy hippie dream, right?
Well the best part is, it actually exists! And there's loads all over the world all year round! So if you've been dazzled by my short & sweet description, wait no more to become a Rainbow warrior! I promise the burst of love and hope you'll receive will be more than your brain can handle.
To drink the same elixir of nirvana I have, simply send me a message here for more info on how to find upcoming gatherings.
See you soon over the rainbow brothers and sisters!
Rainbow joke : How many hippies fit in a van? Always one more