*They probably deserve it in Damanhur, since normal "hippie communes" don't dig colossal, gorgeous subterranean temples and found their own private currency systems in the bedrock of Piedmont, Italy.
*But, for heaven's sake, whatever next? Danes flock to Christiania? Irish put on hoods and retire to monasteries? Bitcoin replaces Cyprus (that one is more or less a given).
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100599619
"As Europe's financial woes deepen and depositors increasingly question the safety of their savings, some European citizens are looking to escape their economic troubles by joining an Italian commune, replete with its own monetary, political and economic system.
"Located in Piedmont in north-western Italy, the "Damanhur" commune calls itself an "eco-society," operating with the help of its own social and political structure and money, the Credito. Since the financial crisis, the community says that there has been a "significant increase" in ordinary people asking to visit or join its community, whose economic system is based on "a mix of free enterprise, solidarity, communal sharing and co-operative trade".
Damanhur resident Macaco Tamerice (Macaco means "Monkey" in Italian - all residents of Damanhur take on an animal name) (((They're kind of adorable... I follow @Damanhur on Twitter, and they're completely sincere and just absolutely oldskool new-age bonkers))) told CNBC that Damanhur is attracting many Europeans tired of economic crisis as an interest in "alternative social models" grows.
" "In the last few years there has been an increase in interest in Damanhur and the hits on our website and participation in our Facebook page and blog have increased significantly," Tamerice said.
" "This is why we have developed a program called the 'New Life Citizenship' which allows people to apply to come and live in Damanhur for three months, inside its communities as a citizen...."
(((I'd go, but I'm loyal to my native diocese of spirit-medium Brazilian UFO contactees, a kindly folk who offered to shelter me and my bride if things ever get hairy for us.)))
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brucesterling/sets/72157625630148016/with/5273888720/
