Peter Coyotes book, “Sleeping Where I Fall” is a chronicled account of Coyotes “personal perception” (47), during his pursuit to living and demonstrating absolute freedom during the counter culture era. He and many others, known as the “hippies” believed that not everyone wanted to live a life of luxury and harmony that in return, bound them to “consumers or being an employee” (46). Consequently, on their quest to find a free and “more liberating social and political structure” (46), they headed for the streets with only their bags in hand, and confidence that there was indeed freedom and liberation on the streets and in a communal lifestyle. As a result, they slept on the streets, in tents, in their vans, as well as, “crash pads” where anyone was welcome to do their drugs, have sex, or do what ever they wanted to. The title of Coyotes book “Sleeping Where I Fall” is a perfect illustration of his fifteen year memoir. Whatever the circumstances or situations were, the hippies were doing just as the title declares. Living on the streets, sleeping and surviving from scene to scene, making their way with what was available to them at the moment and sleeping where ever they fell.
In chapter seventeen of Peter Coyotes book titled “Free Fall” he writes about events and occurrences that happened at one of the “free family communes” (Carla’s Story, internet) named Olema. He describes in vivid detail, the living conditions, leadership roles, and how people adapted and responded to their living situation. His humility and humor kept me interested and wanting to read more about his journey.
I found it interesting that even in a self created environment where everyone was living free, un-controlled, and self thinkers, there was a natural demand for leadership. Coyote addresses himself as a leader in which he “unconsciously allowed to happen”
