September 2007 Archives
It is so easy to be alone in a modern American city.
I have this interesting idea that has been floating around my head for a while. I envision some far away bazaar type affair with people bustling and interacting then I envision an American city… Mostly empty streets and if the street is occupied it is by cars not by pedestrians.
Everything that I imagined the desert would be like was wrong.
I have heard it said that “nothing lasts forever” Seeing some of what I have seen and experienced I tend to agree.. Some things change, others stay the same. Nebraska offers some insight.. or not. I am convinced of the (relative) permanence of some things but.. everything tends to erode quite quickly!
Maybe there will be counting of pennies… but rain or shine the island awaits. There should be many old VW vehicles on the island for some yearly event.
It has been 3 weeks since the burn and I am still thinking about how powerful the whole event was. I cannot wait to get back on the playa
One of the things I keep coming back to is something I saw when I was as close to The Man burn as possible. It was extremely hot, the largest fire I had seen and a beautiful young man was bowing and praying to the fire. He was standing much closer than I could bear. Even nude he was able to withstand the extreme heat. There was some unknown beauty about that moment.. The urge to go to the flame no matter how hot.
Even after one full week in the desert everyone still flocks to the “flame”.
The train is the best way to travel. My 64 hour long journey from the chicago area to black rock city included at least one ride on or in a car, little baggage tractor, train, bicycle, shopping cart and inside the back of a rental truck. On the two day train ride through the awe inspiring front doorstep that was the farmland and mountains of america my party and i met fellow burners who needed a ride out into the wilderness. which made us a party of five.
Along with the 3 from Chicago we had a traveler and a man from Ireland. 3 guys and 2 gals. The guys ended up riding into black rock city, after the strenuous journey in search of provisions, in the back of a rental truck commanded by the gals in the front. Having left reno, civilization, with the door only opening again in the middle desert was an amazing entrance.. the folks in the car behind had a big laugh when they saw three guys climb out of a truck they had likely been following for many miles through the desert!