...Road trip to Nimbin...

Went on a road trip to Nimbin today and you can definitely say it was interesting. Nimbin is this strange little town just over an hours drive from Byron that's still stuck in the 70s not only with the style of the place but also its open drug culture. Its quite funny as its pretty much just one street that's got a Police Station at one end and people openly trying to sell drugs, mainly weed, everywhere else.

This psychedelic culture that's been left to its own devices (as long as it doesn't inflict itself on the outside world) has become a popular day trip for tourists checking out the world that once was and seeing the effects that lifestyle has. Its quite scary how many people are screwed up here. We were welcomed by the sight of this tangled up man crazily walking down the road and as soon as we got out the car we were being offered weed by a man who was a few sandwiches short of a picnic. In the pub talking to one of the more sane members of this culture we found out acid had previously been the drug of choice before weed and it had obviously left quite a few people twisted.

Besides the obvious drugs culture that the town tries to market itself on there is a lot more to it once you open your eyes to the various other aspects. The town looks at all areas of an alternative lifestyle and culture in particular with regards to it spirituality and creativity. Many shops are stocked with tarot cards, crystals, books on healing and other paraphernalia along these lines such as information on planting with the moon cycles. Art and creative expression are also freely encouraged with murals and sculptures in the middle of the street and shops being covered with brightly coloured wall paintings.

The most amazing display of creativity and vision, plus the alternative lifestyle and beliefs here was at the Nimbin Museum. There was not a wall, floor or ceiling that didn't have a design, mural, collage or poster on it. Phrases and quotes covered everywhere with my favourite being a circular round disc on it saying "If you want attention learn to sing or dance." The main entrance into the museum was quite spectacular with the front of an iconic VW Camper Van integrated into it.

It was definitely an interesting, colourful trip and a real eye opener on little out of the way towns and their cultures. However, I'm glad it was only for the day as I'm looking forward to absorbing the culture of Byron Bay.

Photo: Jen & Ashley with the iconic VW Camper Van at the Nimbin Museum

[Next blog entry: Byron Bay Sunday September 23rd 2007]