25 Aug - 1 Sep 2008

We picked up the winnebago in San Francisco and made our way to Reno to stock up on supplies and pick up our bikes from Kiwanis Bike program for our week long stint in the desert. The burning man project requires you to take everything with you to survive for one week in the desert. There is no commerce on the playa so money is worthless in Black Rock City, but gifting is quite common and you may bump into generous souls who are likely to help out if you run out of something. The ethos is quite incredible to witness and everyone seems to be of the same mindset, there is a sense of community with everyone coming together to survive against the harshest of elements. Everything you take with you will also be taken back when you leave and no evidence is left behind that 50 000 people had just been and gone when the party is over.

We were supposed to meet Patrizia on the playa but somehow wires were crossed and our meeting never materialised, not for the lack of trying from messages being left in vain at center came to glow in the dark signs which we hopelessly used at night to try and find her. This was our second trip to burning man and we were excited to share the experience with Warren and Patrizia

You will never come across as many creative and wonderful souls in one place. The extraordinary art against the surreal backdrop of the desert landscape is stunning and you will be in awe of creativity and scale of some of the art and installations you will stumbble across walking around the playa.

The week long festivities culminates on the Saturday when everyone gathers in the middle of the playa for the symbolic burning of the man, followed by vast array of transient music flavors and parties to accommodate everyones music taste. Many people leave on the Sunday morning but we decided to stay for the burning of the temple and some of the other art installations. We left on the Monday morning and made our way to Lake Tahoe to catch up with Sarah and Luela.