The playa provides the brunch - welcome home

The journey to Burning Man started at night,  and the excitement in our little mini-van was palpable.  There really are no words to describe this feeling, and this entry will not to it justice.  As I made my way from Reno to Black Rock City, for the sixth time, I was so excited , my skin was radiating pulses, tying my heartbeat to every nerve in my body.   OK, so, yeah, it was late, and dark, and we had been shopping and laughing and eating and dancing all day, so that might also have had something to do with it, but the grin was permanently fixed on my face.

Sunrise - Photo by Bill Kennedy

Burning Man has been a life-changing experience for me.  I've taken it into my life, and become part of a community that grows beyond our city back to New York, LA, and far reaches of the world.

However, for one week, the community comes back together and builds, supports and revels in our own city, based on what we bring, how we participate, and who we are.  And yes, I get to be thoroughly free from judgements.  There is a smile at every point, a hug and acceptance.  It's freaking awesome.

The art car - Photo by Bill Kennedy

There is so much happening; art installations, music, food, and friends created and maintained over the years.  It's near impossible to see everything or everyone, so here's a brief summary of what the next seven days gifted to me.

The playa - Photo by John Dill

Music - the best I've experienced on the playa so far:
Marques Wyatt's set at Disorient - took me to places I've never gone before.
Osunlade at the Irish Pub - need I say more?
Prom Nite - 80s music on the playa - hearing peeps singing choruses , and having other camps join us just for the music.
Sunset with Marko Peli and Shannon - dreamlike and tiger encounters.
Robot Heart - every time, everywhere, everyone.
Lush Bunny and Shannon at Disorient - created the inability to stop dancing
John Dill with Lee Burridge - I heard it was life-changing - and I missed it!

The Temple - Photo by John Dill

Experiences

• Mosaic Lounge family - re-connecting with the familiar and new connections with the sublime.
• Art Cars - new experience driving around the playa, from Mosaic's own mirage, to the Purple Palace , seeing Robot Heart pulsing in the distance, driving out to deep playa in Samantha's black kitty, and that freaking Octopus.
• Watching a movie in a balls-out real seats theatre in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the playa.  American Graffiti anyone? Yes, that happened.
• Experiencing sunrise every morning, but especially and in deep playa listening to sunrise sets.
• The pier - a real freaking pier - birds, ocean sounds and fishing poles included.
• Watching 1000 people do sun salutations as the sun set over the mountains, while the largest string instrument in the world whispered hushed vibrations that lit the sky with sound and  energy.
• Sunday Brunch with the Nordic - what a lovely walk that was.
• Bubbles and Bass mornings - champagne, and seeing friends, and making new ones.
• Ayman at Whiskeys and Whores - the interpretive dance of all ages.
• The Trojan Horse - 600 people pulling it across the playa, before it burned.
• The Temple - the music installation introduced a new vibration that brought tears to my eyes.
• Watching the man burn - fireworks, fire, Terryl's set, more fire, then dancing some more.

The Pier - Photo by John Dill

Finally, brunch was very unexpected and truly a gift from the playa.  I spent the final morning  walking after sunrise until the sun was in the middle of the sky, with the Nordic.  We encountered a camp in the middle of the playa, serving eggs, sausages, pancakes and waffles, to anyone who approached.  The crew was open, beautiful and giving.  We stood there, plate in hand, watching the city move towards and away from mirages, and yes, it was hard to imagine, yet it was happening. 

Robot Heart - Photo by John Dill

Afterwards, we walked through interactive art installations, stopped and danced with Robot Heart, then made our way back to my camp, and slowly I realised the week was over, as quickly as it began.

The journey back to the real world would begin the next day.  Not before the temple burn, and a final lasting connection with loved ones.

Another burn, number six.   Next year won't come soon enough.

BRUNCH #33 - Burning Man

PLACE: Black Rock City - Nevada

EATS:  Scrambled eggs, waffles, pancakes, sausages and bloody marys - thanks to the playa.
TRACKS : Julio Bashmore - Battle for Middle you
Black Hole Sun - Kenny Summit Remix
Lost - Sunlounger
OUTSTANDING QUOTE:  Call me by my playa name, it's wasabi!

Photos by John Dill
Photos by Bill Kennedy