From Christiania With Love - Episode 4

Wow, lockdown has been quite the adventure, hasn’t it? As much as I enjoy pretending to be a superhero by dodging folks on the street (instead of just being a bit anti-social, haha), I’ve really been missing the good old days before all this. A little piece of my heart is feeling nostalgic for the before times.

Stuck in my flat, only venturing out for my daily government-approved walk (or maybe twice if I ‘really’ need to pop to the shop for essentials – long papers totally count, right?), my mind has been buzzing with thoughts about freedom.

Don’t get me wrong, I totally get that we’re all doing our bit during this crazy global health situation. But honestly? I’m seriously craving those freedoms I used to take for granted. Often, while I’m enjoying my morning spliff, my thoughts just drift off, dreaming of all the cool stuff I used to get up to.

Everything feels like it’s changing super fast, and it really gets you thinking about the big picture. I often find myself staring at a big, colourful postcard stuck to my bedroom door – it’s a vibrant, rainbow-filled cartoon, a little memento from a quick trip I took to one of the most free-spirited places on Earth.

My Love Letter to Christiania

Oh, the weed selection there was just wonderful! We had such a great time checking out all the different strains and pre-rolls on ‘Pusher Street’.

Okay, quick history chat!

Imagine this: Freetown Christiania is a pretty huge piece of land right in the heart of Copenhagen, which is Denmark’s bustling capital. It all started back in 1971 when a bunch of anarchists decided to squat in an old military camp and make it their own.

Christiania’s journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing. It was created as its very own society for people who wanted to live differently. It became a haven for socialists, anarchists, eco-hippies, and, of course, folks who love their weed. It’s been called many things: a commune, a community, an experiment, even a utopia.

While only a small number of people officially live there (around 800-1,000), tons of tourists flock there every day to check out its cafes and explore the famous ‘green light district’. This little spot is packed with stalls selling bud, pre-rolls, edibles, and all sorts of accessories. And guess what? One weekend, I got to be one of those lucky tourists!

So, I’m best friends with this super smart guy, Ronnie, who actually lived in Copenhagen for a bit, just doing his genius thing. As soon as I heard his stories about this magical marketplace lit up with green lights, I hopped on the first plane I could! (Oh, and for some reason, he was also super keen for me to try a beer made of… well, weasel poop. Don’t ask).

After exploring the city for a bit, Ronnie and I decided to spend an afternoon soaking up the freedom in Freetown. There were signs all around with three easy rules, meant to keep things chill around the drug trade: no photos, no violence, and no running. Plus, the whole community is strongly against hard drugs. Simple enough, right? These three rules really helped keep the vibe peaceful and friendly.

I visited back in 2014, when smartphones were just starting to get big and Instagram wasn’t *everywhere* yet. But honestly, I can totally imagine how tough that ‘no photos’ rule must be to enforce now! And oh my goodness, I can practically feel the struggle of an Insta influencer dying to snap pics of all the amazing street art that’s splashed across every building. If you ever go, here’s my friendly advice: don’t be that person, just put your phone away. It’s actually kind of liberating in itself!

We met up with Ronnie’s friends, and the four of us headed to a bistro for a late lunch. We totally feasted on delicious falafel, hummus, and sandwiches packed with fresh, local, seasonal veggies. This amazing, wholesome food is all made by people from the community, who either grow their own ingredients or get them from nearby. How cool is that? And seriously, it tasted incredible!

The cannabis selection was just fantastic, and we had a blast checking out all the different strains and pre-rolls on ‘Pusher Street’. We picked up an eighth of a lovely sativa and a pre-rolled joint for later, then made our way to the lakeside. Christiania is actually split into two main areas: there’s the ‘city’ part with its charming cobbled streets (no cars allowed!), and then there’s the Amager side, which is a peaceful, forested waterfront area where you *can* take photos.

It’s pretty amazing how easy it is to just wander off and find your own private smoking spot in Christiania – talk about finding total peace right in the middle of a big city! We settled down by the lake, lit up a joint, and just watched the gentle late winter sun as it dipped behind the small hills that kind of hide Christiania from the rest of Copenhagen. Can you believe that just beyond those little hills were offices for some of the world’s biggest financial companies? And yet, here we were, experiencing a truly self-sustaining community. I definitely know which one made me feel more free.

A Little Note About Christiania

Okay, so I know I’ve probably made this place sound like a total dream, but I want to be real with you: Christiania has definitely had its share of challenges and tricky situations over the years. It’s also been affected by gentrification, which, let’s be honest, tourism doesn’t always help. And even the cannabis trade itself has become a bit of a hot topic among the folks who live there recently.

If you’re curious, you can read more about how Christiania is run these days and its changing relationship with the government right here.

Want to dive deeper into the community? Check out Christiania’s official website – they’ve got loads of local info.

Oh, and Christiania even popped up in an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown! His website has an awesome ‘Love Letter To Christiania’ written by someone who used to live there.

Fancy bringing a little bit of that Christiania vibe home? You might love these awesome strains:

Citrque Flower (Sativa)

This one’s got a lovely lemony taste and gives you an uplifting high without making you too sleepy – perfect for enjoying during the day!

Grape Kush

This hybrid is a nice mix, 60% sativa and 40% indica, so you get a great mental buzz and a relaxed body feeling. It’s a fantastic choice for a session with friends, especially if you’re looking for some good laughs.

Pineapple Express Rolls

This classic pre-roll is pure joy! It gives you a burst of energy and a super clear head, making it just right for an afternoon chilling by the water.