I had a really unique experience at Christiania in Copenhagen that I will never forget, it was one of those evenings that I wished never ended, but it had to, I realized, with the distant memory that I had a 10:30am flight to Dublin. Soup and I split up for the evening, he went to the zoo, and at about 6pm I took off to Freetown. I figured I’d spend an hour or two, smoke some hash, and then meet up with Soup for drinks. It wasn’t until 4:15am that I stumbled out of there, the sun already rising, looking for a metro station in a strange land.
* photos aren’t allowed once you’re in the village so I did my best.. it’s mostly the entrance ways and exits, but you may get a feel..
wiki: “Christiania, also known as Freetown Christiania (Danish: Fristaden Christiania) is a partially self-governing neighbourhood of about 850 residents, covering 34 hectares (85 acres) in the borough of Christianshavn in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Christiania has established semi-legal status as an independent community, but has been a source of controversy since its creation in a squatted military area in 1971. Its open cannabis trade was tolerated by authorities until 2004. Since then, measures for normalising the legal status of the community have led to conflicts, and negotiations are ongoing.”
I found it to be a squatter-like commune of a sort, you immediately feel the bond between the folks that live there. In the center of the village, a great crowd of visitors enjoying their selves, rolling joints, drinking beers, and playing backgammon.. in an area filled with picnic tables, music, bars…. and dogs everywhere - you know I was happy about that.
and sure, a portion of the inhabitants are really screwed up. A few years ago the residents got together and kicked out all the heroin users, though it’s apparent they’re not all gone. ..it’s mostly hash and marijuana use with repeated reminders to ‘say no to hard drugs’. There were small setups off to the side, covered by green camouflage tarps where you would find huge bricks of hash and bud for sale, and a few guys waiting to size something up for you with their little scales.
wiki: “Christiania is the land of the settlers. It is the so far biggest opportunity to build up a society from scratch - while nevertheless still incorporating the remaining constructions. Own electricity plant, a bath-house, a giant athletics building, where all the seekers of peace could have their grand meditation - and yoga center. Halls where theater groups can feel at home. Buildings for the stoners who are too paranoid and weak to participate in the race…”
I met a few really great people, I am grateful for your hospitality, Juliette - listening to a live show with you and your friends, dancing, partying, and getting to meet so many of the locals which I would never have been able to if it wasn’t for meeting you. To spend ten hours there (I have no idea how that happened), and partying in a bar on the grounds long after the tourists of Christiania were back at their hotels was simply an incredible experience.
