Burning Man 2017 Experience
We planned to leave for Burning Man on Friday night. Because we still had a few small preparation things to do, i.e. installing the air conditioner, ensuring the wheels on the trailer were strong, hitching the trailer to the truck, and overall ensuring the driving experience with the trailer would be adequate and secure, we did not hit the road until Saturday afternoon.
We were off! A started the drive on the Freeway. I saw it wasn't too bad! I was so excited and proud of myself. In my head, I was thinking, "I can tell my friends and family that I can drive a truck with trailer!!!" A win in my book. So when A got tired, he took the next Exit so I could take over. Getting on, I realized it was not too bad with the trailer. What I kept on thinking in my head was: periodically check your side mirrors (the rearview mirror was covered by the trailer) to ensure that the truck lies between the white lines, as well as make sure you're at a good speed. It was smooth sailing from there. We would take turns. I became all too familiar with Cruise Control in the car, perfect for those 100-mile intervals on the Freeway.
We drove and we drove. We were making good time! I remember driving in an area that was still technically the Freeway, but it was like a town neighborhood. That was when I could NOT do Cruise Control and had to adjust my speed accordingly.
It was around 1 am when we made it to Nevada!! We still needed a few things before stepping from full on isolation for a full week, and the most important thing is.. WATER! So we went to the Walmart Supercenter, which is usually the last area of civilization that most burners go before heading to the Main Event. Besides 25 gallons of carton-filled water, we got hand sanitizer, spring rolls to put in the cooler, some small snacks, and of course - what filled up the majority of our cart - drinks, mostly fruit mixers. We also got a spare toothbrush and toothpaste.
I remember when we were just about to leave the Supercenter that I made sure I was extra clean (in the Walmart restroom, including brushing my teeth) and encouraged A to do the same. Arriving into and out of the parking lot, I saw a lot of colorful bikes, RVs, and trailers - the burn was approaching! it was 4 am before we knew it, so instead of driving into the event (which could take another 5 hour wait), we slept for a few hours...
Next day, and A is still very tired. Who can blame him? It was only 9 am, but I was feeling good, good enough drive and get our butts to Burning Man! Before driving, I ensured I had the material necessities - Altoid mints in the cup compartment, water on the side, adjusted mirrors for my height, and good sunglasses on. Within a few hours, I saw a string of cars!! And I knew we hit the spot.
I passed by different signs, promotion of Burning Man-related things, including for costumes, gear, bikes, etc. It was all very interesting.. Going into the event, it was a slow ride. Follow the leader. From the gate to the event, it was a 45-minute wait, which is not long at all for a Monday afternoon. As soon as I saw the slew of tiny colored flags on a string and a lot of DUST, I knew the adventure was just about to begin.
We turned on the Burning Man radio station, which alerts to traffic updates and goings on. The speed limit on the playa was 5-10, so I had to drive very slow. I was already driving slow with a trailer, so it did not matter too much. The car was getting dirty REAL quick.
Getting into the event, "Virgin Burners" aka first-timers aka me had to go out of the car, ring the bell, and become one with the dust. The burner that greeted me and helped me with the whole process was super nice, too! I made dust angels on the ground floor and we hugged. I appreciated that. When we got into the car, it was already so dirty lol. Not before long, we found the camp!
We were recommended where to park the car. Unhitched the trailer from the truck, and started building our home. The first day at Burning Man was definitely the most physically taxing. We didn't get a chance to do much exploring because we needed to set up our home! It was Monday, anyways, and the beginning of the week at the event is usually more quiet. It was a time-consuming process to set up the tent. But ultimately, it happened!
The next day, it was a priority to get the generator stuff set up, so we could have cool air conditioning and make some good food. I also filmed a short clip this day of the amenities we had at our home. These included a rice cooker for cooking food, blender for making yummy drinks (strawberry pina colada mixed drinks are so good), red cups as cups for brushing teeth, large containers of our items as tables, etc. Pee jar included lol. The pee started to reek a few days in so I covered it with an extra cloth (black with red furry spikes, the same design of cloth used for our ultra awesome tandem bike that we got compliments on :))
If I recall correctly, we got ice twice this day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Very shortly after A came back, the most intense dust storm occurred. Man I was so lucky I wasn't caught in it! I held on to one of the poles holding the tent, clinging onto it for dear life. I was also cooking some food in the rice cooker, so SO THANKFUL that I closed the lid on that. Even though I had NO clue of what was to come. Unfortunately, a lot of dust came into our once almost dust-free living situation, and a few things were moved to the side. We adjusted the tent accordingly. I also made sure to situate the gallons of water to the sides, so the tent would not shift as much. Second day that I've been here, and I've already gotten myself into conquering a dust storm - what have I gotten myself into?
The third day waking up was one of the worst lol. We woke up to the knowledge that there were high degree winds at night and the cooler (filled with iced water) toppled over and left the tent minutely flooded. The tent's original cat piss smell started to reek prominently lol. I grabbed the multiple towels that we had bought from Santee Alley - wiped the puddled floors, squeezed the excess into the pee jar, and continued the process. I also noticed we had cardboard boxes left over, and used them to spread onto the floor not only to distract from the disparaging looking mess we've inhabited, but also to absorb the water. I can vouch for the fact that it works! :)
These were some of the things we had to deal with the first few days of Burning Man. Making sure we had enough ice so we could have cool, chilled drinks (A cold drink at Burning Man is THE BOMB), tightening the gaping holes in our tent, and making sure our bike was in good condition. THE TANDEM BIKE IS THE BABY. I definitely feel for those people who don't bring a bike to Burning Man. There is so much to see at the event; unless you're roaming in an Art Car, it is hard to see everything you want to see strolling at the event.
Some things I remember on the top of my head in the morning: climbing onto a tall structure (like Swing City) and enjoying the beautiful view. checking out the Boeing 797, where a pilot-dressed burner asks you to write down your goal and something you can improve on. It's stapled to the side, where you can see what other burners write. We sneak up to the top, where I see the actual pilot view, steering wheel, and all the controllers. It was an amazing experience. drinking tea (yes, actual tea) in a super chill, large, shaded tarp area. Someone was playing piano, there were people passed out, it was all a nice observation. While we were biking, we received gifts, such as cold towels to wrap around our neck, sprays of misty cold water, ice cream, etc.
At night: an Englishman was giving out hummus and was describing how it was a delicacy. Learning about things in informational sessions. Enjoying the overall night scene at Burning Man: SO MUCH AMAZING ART, so many creatively lit bikes. It's like something out of a movie. Thunderdome, where I got front row seats! It felt like a real life Gladiator x Hunger Games. The young lady paired against the big guy in the first fight definitely had an unfair match. The excitement and audience participation, screaming to see the show, was riveting. So many burners' feet were dangled at the openings of the dome; I saw person's back after person's back situated all around the dome structure; an incredible sight. Ilumina - the tree of life. The burners doing Tai Chi with each other to compliment the vision was an awesome treat. Tesla Supercoil - incredible. Play music on the keyboard and it will be imitated as electricity on the supercoil for view in the sky! XOXO. Enjoying S'mores by the fire with other burners - with some type of chocolate is the best - going all in! Enjoying an actual fire from an older burner's bike - does that even make sense? lol. going on the art car of a cruise ship and dancing (there was one burner that got really sick and had to leave. I was very impressed with the quickness of the First Responders of BM who helped this young woman). Music Savages, one of the hottest clubs at Burning Man. I was also very proud and impressed to see the crispy art there...
I did get a chance to visit the Temple and Burning Man before they were burned. They are both so immaculate and large. Absolutely skilled architecture at work.
One of the many things I got the privilege of doing was riding in a beautiful art car from night all the way until sunrise. One of my goals was to see sunrise at Burning Man. We would go to sleep late each night and sleep in A LOT (it was SO HOT) in the day until 3-4 pm that at one point in time, I thought I'd never have the chance to see the sunrise, and I'm so glad I was wrong about that. It was an amazing experience to see all the incredible art while sitting down in a beautiful art car with some awesome people. On the first day of riding the art car, I did not make it to sunrise because it was too cold and I didn't have the proper clothing (friggin CAPRIS) to stay out that long. But it did happen the next day. I am so grateful for G for allowing me to borrow her coat because she thought it would look good on me. It was so warm! I also want to thank M for the radiant metallic leggings. #twinning
The burning of the Man (as well as the Temple) is a time to reflect, to let go of the past and start fresh. In terms of some things I've learned about myself, I am stronger and more capable than I thought I was. I am not an impulsive decision maker, much like my mother. My father, too, but in other aspects. But when entering a new situation, I think about the pros and cons, and always put the thought of putting myself in harm's way into consideration. I think it's the logical thing to do, and by nature I am a logical person, so ask a lot of questions before doing something I've never done before. Just like Burning Man, I asked a lot of questions before committing to the event.
New experiences give me life. I really love the feeling of not planning on doing something, doing it on the spot, and then be able to say that I was able to do it. It gives me a great amount of happiness and exhilaration. Of course, safety is key!
I do feel like I know myself very well. No one truly knows me as much as I know myself. I have a good heart, I can see the good in most people (or at least can be empathetic towards their situation, what they're going through, and where they're coming from), what their true intentions are. I feel I am good at reading people. I also know I am really self-confident. I know my worth, and no one can tell me otherwise. I don't get upset easily, because every second used for that anger or irritation is another second wasted in a non-guaranteed life. Life is meant to be lived and to be lived in as happy and joy-filled medium as possible. I want to spread kindness and humility into the world by being a good example to others and encouraging that attitude from others. I definitely want to make the world a better place.
I believe people are innately good. But external factors are powerful. And can shape them either positively or negatively. This is especially influential for young children, who grow up with these external factors. I am so glad social media wasn't a big thing when I was a kid. Cyberbullying is not cool! Parents need to take responsibility for their kids. People are ultimately responsible for their own actions, but externality definitely plays a big role in shaping people.
When I encounter rude people in my life, I tend to "let it go." Should I do so, or should I intervene and bring up their bad behavior? To make a change in their behavior, it is definitely important to give them a rude awakening, and that is something I can definitely work on. Maybe they don't mean to have something come off that way, but it is my responsibility if no one else's if I've witnessed that kind of behavior and point it out, so they can become better as people.
I know what I want to do. I have an idea of what I can do to get myself there. It's just a matter of having the right plan of attack and being PERSISTENT. I think I can. I know I can.
Finally, none of this experience could have happened without A telling me about it. I am forever grateful to have experienced this absolutely incredible experience with, and many more to come. We've been through trials and tribulations, but every time, we come back stronger than ever. That's pure right there, and our unconventional encounter is something I hold dear to my heart to this day. How did I get so lucky to meet such an inspirational human being? Blessed.
Thanks for the memories, BM 2017. #BurningMan2018, I'm coming for ya.
M is a very generous guy. He came to the shop to work, but seeing as we were still working on preparing for our trip, offered to help with the installation and hitching, ensuring the trailer light worked well, as well as gave very good advice. Before we drove off, he even made sure that the driving experience with the trailer was good. He cautioned about the wide turns and difficult backing up experience as a result of driving with a trailer. Just all around someone who helps you out even when you don't ask for it. Thankful for that.
So we were off! Almost. With the trailer we drove. It would be too much of an obstruction to unclip the trailer from the truck. So A drove to the gym to do his thing. I waited in the car. After that, we made a quick turnaround - one last turnaround back to the shop to retrieve something (of which I don't recall). Then we drove. But first! We needed to eat.
So we drove to Backyard Bowls. However, it was very difficult to find parking at BB since it was the afternoon. We wanted to go there, especially me, because I wanted to use up by Buy 1 Get 1 free coupon. I ordered under A's name (lol I had a guy's name), and we got our delicious, nutritious smoothie bowls to go. We found a curvaceous spot to park and ate our food - our last meal before our 10-hour drive to BLACK ROCK CITY, NEVADA aka Burning Man.
We were off! A started the drive on the Freeway. I saw it wasn't too bad! I was so excited and proud of myself. In my head, I was thinking, "I can tell my friends and family that I can drive a truck with trailer!!!" A win in my book. So when A got tired, he took the next Exit so I could take over. Getting on, I realized it was not too bad with the trailer. What I kept on thinking in my head was: periodically check your side mirrors (the rearview mirror was covered by the trailer) to ensure that the truck lies between the white lines, as well as make sure you're at a good speed. It was smooth sailing from there. We would take turns. I became all too familiar with Cruise Control in the car, perfect for those 100-mile intervals on the Freeway.
We drove and we drove. We were making good time! I remember driving in an area that was still technically the Freeway, but it was like a town neighborhood. That was when I could NOT do Cruise Control and had to adjust my speed accordingly.
It was around 1 am when we made it to Nevada!! We still needed a few things before stepping from full on isolation for a full week, and the most important thing is.. WATER! So we went to the Walmart Supercenter, which is usually the last area of civilization that most burners go before heading to the Main Event. Besides 25 gallons of carton-filled water, we got hand sanitizer, spring rolls to put in the cooler, some small snacks, and of course - what filled up the majority of our cart - drinks, mostly fruit mixers. We also got a spare toothbrush and toothpaste.
I remember when we were just about to leave the Supercenter that I made sure I was extra clean (in the Walmart restroom, including brushing my teeth) and encouraged A to do the same. Arriving into and out of the parking lot, I saw a lot of colorful bikes, RVs, and trailers - the burn was approaching! it was 4 am before we knew it, so instead of driving into the event (which could take another 5 hour wait), we slept for a few hours...
Next day, and A is still very tired. Who can blame him? It was only 9 am, but I was feeling good, good enough drive and get our butts to Burning Man! Before driving, I ensured I had the material necessities - Altoid mints in the cup compartment, water on the side, adjusted mirrors for my height, and good sunglasses on. Within a few hours, I saw a string of cars!! And I knew we hit the spot.
I passed by different signs, promotion of Burning Man-related things, including for costumes, gear, bikes, etc. It was all very interesting.. Going into the event, it was a slow ride. Follow the leader. From the gate to the event, it was a 45-minute wait, which is not long at all for a Monday afternoon. As soon as I saw the slew of tiny colored flags on a string and a lot of DUST, I knew the adventure was just about to begin.
We turned on the Burning Man radio station, which alerts to traffic updates and goings on. The speed limit on the playa was 5-10, so I had to drive very slow. I was already driving slow with a trailer, so it did not matter too much. The car was getting dirty REAL quick.
Getting into the event, "Virgin Burners" aka first-timers aka me had to go out of the car, ring the bell, and become one with the dust. The burner that greeted me and helped me with the whole process was super nice, too! I made dust angels on the ground floor and we hugged. I appreciated that. When we got into the car, it was already so dirty lol. Not before long, we found the camp!
We were recommended where to park the car. Unhitched the trailer from the truck, and started building our home. The first day at Burning Man was definitely the most physically taxing. We didn't get a chance to do much exploring because we needed to set up our home! It was Monday, anyways, and the beginning of the week at the event is usually more quiet. It was a time-consuming process to set up the tent. But ultimately, it happened!
The next day, it was a priority to get the generator stuff set up, so we could have cool air conditioning and make some good food. I also filmed a short clip this day of the amenities we had at our home. These included a rice cooker for cooking food, blender for making yummy drinks (strawberry pina colada mixed drinks are so good), red cups as cups for brushing teeth, large containers of our items as tables, etc. Pee jar included lol. The pee started to reek a few days in so I covered it with an extra cloth (black with red furry spikes, the same design of cloth used for our ultra awesome tandem bike that we got compliments on :))
If I recall correctly, we got ice twice this day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Very shortly after A came back, the most intense dust storm occurred. Man I was so lucky I wasn't caught in it! I held on to one of the poles holding the tent, clinging onto it for dear life. I was also cooking some food in the rice cooker, so SO THANKFUL that I closed the lid on that. Even though I had NO clue of what was to come. Unfortunately, a lot of dust came into our once almost dust-free living situation, and a few things were moved to the side. We adjusted the tent accordingly. I also made sure to situate the gallons of water to the sides, so the tent would not shift as much. Second day that I've been here, and I've already gotten myself into conquering a dust storm - what have I gotten myself into?
The third day waking up was one of the worst lol. We woke up to the knowledge that there were high degree winds at night and the cooler (filled with iced water) toppled over and left the tent minutely flooded. The tent's original cat piss smell started to reek prominently lol. I grabbed the multiple towels that we had bought from Santee Alley - wiped the puddled floors, squeezed the excess into the pee jar, and continued the process. I also noticed we had cardboard boxes left over, and used them to spread onto the floor not only to distract from the disparaging looking mess we've inhabited, but also to absorb the water. I can vouch for the fact that it works! :)
These were some of the things we had to deal with the first few days of Burning Man. Making sure we had enough ice so we could have cool, chilled drinks (A cold drink at Burning Man is THE BOMB), tightening the gaping holes in our tent, and making sure our bike was in good condition. THE TANDEM BIKE IS THE BABY. I definitely feel for those people who don't bring a bike to Burning Man. There is so much to see at the event; unless you're roaming in an Art Car, it is hard to see everything you want to see strolling at the event.
Some things I remember on the top of my head in the morning: climbing onto a tall structure (like Swing City) and enjoying the beautiful view. checking out the Boeing 797, where a pilot-dressed burner asks you to write down your goal and something you can improve on. It's stapled to the side, where you can see what other burners write. We sneak up to the top, where I see the actual pilot view, steering wheel, and all the controllers. It was an amazing experience. drinking tea (yes, actual tea) in a super chill, large, shaded tarp area. Someone was playing piano, there were people passed out, it was all a nice observation. While we were biking, we received gifts, such as cold towels to wrap around our neck, sprays of misty cold water, ice cream, etc.
At night: an Englishman was giving out hummus and was describing how it was a delicacy. Learning about things in informational sessions. Enjoying the overall night scene at Burning Man: SO MUCH AMAZING ART, so many creatively lit bikes. It's like something out of a movie. Thunderdome, where I got front row seats! It felt like a real life Gladiator x Hunger Games. The young lady paired against the big guy in the first fight definitely had an unfair match. The excitement and audience participation, screaming to see the show, was riveting. So many burners' feet were dangled at the openings of the dome; I saw person's back after person's back situated all around the dome structure; an incredible sight. Ilumina - the tree of life. The burners doing Tai Chi with each other to compliment the vision was an awesome treat. Tesla Supercoil - incredible. Play music on the keyboard and it will be imitated as electricity on the supercoil for view in the sky! XOXO. Enjoying S'mores by the fire with other burners - with some type of chocolate is the best - going all in! Enjoying an actual fire from an older burner's bike - does that even make sense? lol. going on the art car of a cruise ship and dancing (there was one burner that got really sick and had to leave. I was very impressed with the quickness of the First Responders of BM who helped this young woman). Music Savages, one of the hottest clubs at Burning Man. I was also very proud and impressed to see the crispy art there...
I did get a chance to visit the Temple and Burning Man before they were burned. They are both so immaculate and large. Absolutely skilled architecture at work.
One of the many things I got the privilege of doing was riding in a beautiful art car from night all the way until sunrise. One of my goals was to see sunrise at Burning Man. We would go to sleep late each night and sleep in A LOT (it was SO HOT) in the day until 3-4 pm that at one point in time, I thought I'd never have the chance to see the sunrise, and I'm so glad I was wrong about that. It was an amazing experience to see all the incredible art while sitting down in a beautiful art car with some awesome people. On the first day of riding the art car, I did not make it to sunrise because it was too cold and I didn't have the proper clothing (friggin CAPRIS) to stay out that long. But it did happen the next day. I am so grateful for G for allowing me to borrow her coat because she thought it would look good on me. It was so warm! I also want to thank M for the radiant metallic leggings. #twinning
The burning of the Man (as well as the Temple) is a time to reflect, to let go of the past and start fresh. In terms of some things I've learned about myself, I am stronger and more capable than I thought I was. I am not an impulsive decision maker, much like my mother. My father, too, but in other aspects. But when entering a new situation, I think about the pros and cons, and always put the thought of putting myself in harm's way into consideration. I think it's the logical thing to do, and by nature I am a logical person, so ask a lot of questions before doing something I've never done before. Just like Burning Man, I asked a lot of questions before committing to the event.
New experiences give me life. I really love the feeling of not planning on doing something, doing it on the spot, and then be able to say that I was able to do it. It gives me a great amount of happiness and exhilaration. Of course, safety is key!
I do feel like I know myself very well. No one truly knows me as much as I know myself. I have a good heart, I can see the good in most people (or at least can be empathetic towards their situation, what they're going through, and where they're coming from), what their true intentions are. I feel I am good at reading people. I also know I am really self-confident. I know my worth, and no one can tell me otherwise. I don't get upset easily, because every second used for that anger or irritation is another second wasted in a non-guaranteed life. Life is meant to be lived and to be lived in as happy and joy-filled medium as possible. I want to spread kindness and humility into the world by being a good example to others and encouraging that attitude from others. I definitely want to make the world a better place.
I believe people are innately good. But external factors are powerful. And can shape them either positively or negatively. This is especially influential for young children, who grow up with these external factors. I am so glad social media wasn't a big thing when I was a kid. Cyberbullying is not cool! Parents need to take responsibility for their kids. People are ultimately responsible for their own actions, but externality definitely plays a big role in shaping people.
When I encounter rude people in my life, I tend to "let it go." Should I do so, or should I intervene and bring up their bad behavior? To make a change in their behavior, it is definitely important to give them a rude awakening, and that is something I can definitely work on. Maybe they don't mean to have something come off that way, but it is my responsibility if no one else's if I've witnessed that kind of behavior and point it out, so they can become better as people.
I know what I want to do. I have an idea of what I can do to get myself there. It's just a matter of having the right plan of attack and being PERSISTENT. I think I can. I know I can.
Finally, none of this experience could have happened without A telling me about it. I am forever grateful to have experienced this absolutely incredible experience with, and many more to come. We've been through trials and tribulations, but every time, we come back stronger than ever. That's pure right there, and our unconventional encounter is something I hold dear to my heart to this day. How did I get so lucky to meet such an inspirational human being? Blessed.
Thanks for the memories, BM 2017. #BurningMan2018, I'm coming for ya.
Comments
Post a Comment