Twin Oaks

So, I'm an idiot and left my laptop in Richmond and I lost my draft for this post sooo it's been a while. I am currently at Maria's parent's house in TN on Jay's laptop. Best friends for the win.

I wanted to write a little about the freakin awesome time I had visiting my sister at Twin Oaks Community in Louisa, VA. TO is one of the oldest intentional communities in the country and is part of a large network of other egalitarian communities. For a year I lived in a community that was part of that network and now my sister lives at Twin Oaks. 

I swear I helped.

Emily has been at Twin Oaks for nine months. She's a full member. Which is pretty sweet. I had been to TO before but I had never stayed. And I really liked my week there. It was like going to summer camp. I did some gardening, swam naked in a pond, did some repair work. They even had a party one night, complete with a DJ and the good kind of party favors. I danced for at least two hours straight. Also had some rad conversations with some rad people. I could really see myself living in a place like that. Welcoming and free but also industrious and respectful. 

photo credit: twin oaks community, veganworldwide.com

The greatest part of all was probably the food. TO makes Tofu. Like the greatest tofu and tofu accessories I've ever had and I live in fucking China. So naturally, there are some awesome vegan meals. Most of the food was at least veg, I think it represents the "from the earth" mentality that this community has. They grow a ton of food just to be consumed by the community. They also grow animals, which always makes me feel strange. 

Awesome party cat from the TO rave. I loved them so much.

One of the first things that surprised me when I initially came to community was the lack of vegans. I had always associated the "hippie" with vegetarianism. Likewise, I had always associated the radical with animal rights. I guess part of growing up is understanding that not everyone comes from the same perspective as you. Activism led me to veganism. For me, it's the easiest form of anti-consumer protest. I also know that they way I manifest my reality is my own. And I will continue to manifest, all in ya face.