People often make the mistake of thinking that someone is a hippy just because they have long hair and wear certain clothes. But this is all wrong! A true hippy is someone who has adopted a particular lifestyle.

As far as I’m concerned, you can wear loons, kaftans and beads, but unless you go about things in a certain way then you are never going to be a real flower-child. It doesn’t matter what clothes you wear, which music you listen to or whether you prefer sandalwood or patchouli; it is all about philosophy, not accessories and choons.

Real hippies will be concerned with things in society. They are often vegetarian or vegan because of their worries over the ill-treatment of animals and they will frequently be members of protest groups. Proper hippies will have proper values and live their lives in accordance with them.

Of course, it is not only hippies who are socially conscious; many people out there have exactly the same concerns. But a huge part of the hippy lifestyle is alternative living. This can encompass all kinds of different areas such as; diet, household products, cosmetics, self-sufficiency, clothing and crafts. And these are all items that you will find on sale at a peace festival because they are in such a high demand.

Basically, being a true hippy, means being different from the inside-outwards… If you are living an alternative existence then it will show in your outward appearance as well. And a lot of the time this will happen without you even realising it. One day you will look like a normal Joe and the next you will have subconsciously transformed yourself into a fully-fledged freak!

I have just updated the illustrations on the website for biodiesel storage tanks, I know that it will surprise you that I am working for an oil company; but I don’t think they are as irresponsible as I once surmised. There are even a few environmentalists working for them! Plus, I’ve sold out, I need the cash so please don’t judge too harshly!