Burning Away: The Mystique of Nomadic Traveling!

Just returning from Burning Man 2012, which lives up to it's reputation as an experience that defies description.  For some it is their yearly pilgrimage.  It reminded me in many ways of my journey on the el Camino de Santiago, certainly snacking, being kind, and sharing of oneself were some of the guiding principles.

I traveled via this Oregon Hillbilly VW Mobile to Black Rock City, with Troy, Tif and Anjali.   Prior to our departure Anjali, a veteran burner, sang a riotous song!

Upon entering the city you are greeted and welcomed into the city by your fellow Black Rock City community members and if you are a virgin you ring this bell, and are embraced by the elements of the desert. Burning Man is also a venture in extremes.  The city is an ancient lake bed, that is highly alkaline with very fine silt and dust. 

                                   I have to admit I sort of wondered what I had gotten myself into when our Oregon hillbilly mobile came to an abrupt halt in this dust storm.  Oddly my fellow travelers where giddy to have me git out of the car, roll around in the dust and ring the bell! 

A burner virgin no more!

The light quality on the playa is a photographers dream.  While there all my photographic devices decided to punk out on me, which I took as a sign that I needed to immerse myself in the richness of the passage and put down my camera.  Here are some images I did capture.

Morning Ride, this year's Temple.

It was really incredible to see this structure, to name one, burn.

I married myself on the playa.  Which was really wonderful and now makes me think very fondly of Amy Sedaris.

My fellow newlyweds, and bridesmaids Jessi and Tif.  We had a lovely reception and party following our ceremonies.

My last morning, this is at Black Sabbath Pancakes.  Pancakes and drinks were served,  music roared, fire was thrown and so were the dodge ball.  Man these people know how to burn! 

The remaining KFC crew walking to the temple burn.  What glorious people to play in the desert with. 

Post burn, Stella helped me find Earth.