I had started to prepare for Burning Man a few months before my arrival to the desert. I knew what I "needed", I knew what I would "want" out there and I knew what food and clothes I would need to be comfortable. I had a lot of stuff! I knew we were going to use it all though. I mean 2 ladies out in the desert, we would NEED everything....

Now as I look back to what we brought, we brought way too much! We didn't hardly eat a thing. It's too hot to eat, and hot food does not sound appealing. I ate a lot of chips, crackers, avacados, and cheese. That was my diet for a week, seriously. I drank 3 emergency packets a day in my water, and I sure loved whiskey this time around..... I got my fluids and never felt dehydrated. I was so lucky, seen as how a few times I noticed some folks around me who were dehydrated, and they were very, very uncomfortable.

I think I brought the right amount of clothes though. That is something that you have to be prepared for, the weather! This year was fabulous! The nights were not very cold and there was only 1 night that I had to wear my big, fluffy, Playa coat. Someone decided to spill a bottle of wine on it that night too.... No worries though. The days were hot of course, but it's the desert. One day it was THE BEST weather I had experienced at any festival. ever! Calm, warm, and bright sunshine; this day made everyone on the Playa even more beautiful! Great pictures came out on this day.

Burning Man rocked my heart, mind and soul, to say the least. I never would have thought that any one person, place or thing could have so much impact on me and my emotions. I went to the desert last year, but looking back now I realize I wasn't as present last year as I was this time. I am thankful to have had all the amazing experiences I ended up having, all because I went in knowing there would be no regrets. I had my heart wide open, with a smile that flashed across my face the whole time I was there! I kept thinking just how blessed I was for being there, with 45,000 (ish)of my "closest" friends. As I shared this oasis with the most creative people on the planet, I realized that we were like ONE big, bright, glowing energy of love and light! We, as humans are closer to being ONE than we all know. Coming to a place like this makes you realize this even more.

In the magical desert there is no reason to be afraid of anything, or anyone. I actually felt the kind of vibe that said " we are all in this together". And we were. It was comforting to get that reminder and see others experiencing it for the first time.

This years theme was "Evolution". I was excited to see what kinds of art or performance and costumes people would make using this theme. I was stunned! People (again) went all out, it was intense! For me, Evolution was something that I experienced deep within myself. I completely evolved as a "Burner", as a friend, and as a human BEing. Things I was scared to say or do last year were not even a concern of mine this time around. I decided before I even got to the desert that fear was not even a option. I knew that being in the moment with an open heart was what this years burn was all about. Everything I did, everywhere I went, I accomplished because fear wasn't present in me AT ALL! I have a tendency to be an introvert, often times I observe rather than immerse myself in things going on around me. I love watching people and learning all I can about human nature. Just watching is ok sometimes, but NOT at Burning Man! I can be a very loud and crazy girl who is in the middle of it all one minute and then disappears without a word the next. Things were too vibrant and enchanting to sit back and watch. I loved spending more time immersed in all the things going on around me. I listened deeply and saw things with bigger, wider eyes. Not only did I evolve, as I said before, I loved watching one of my most beautiful friends in the world do the same.

I could write for days about the things I did or saw! There was so much to see, hear and participate in. There is no way you could get "bored" at this party! For instance I decided to go on a walk and within minutes I was jumping on a trampoline, hooping with a beautiful LED hoop, jumping on the Nauti Bus and having an amazing dance party going on all around me. On the Bus there was entertainment too, a couple who were very good at "Pole dancing" did their thing for quite a while; the bus was moving the whole time and drinks were being spilled, folks were dancing and grooving all around them, they didn't care one bit! Everyone watching didn't care either....

Riding on an 'Art' car around the Playa is the way to roll as far as I'm concerned, especially at night. I love riding my bike around the Playa, it's truly magical, BUT sometimes an Art car shows up at just the right time....

I like to ride my bike in the daytime, I can get around and really see things all over the whole city. At night I want to go where the party is, the Art cars go where the party is....

I remember the first bike ride I had this year. Just going to the bathroom turned into a sweet adventure. I was with a good friend and she was SO happy to be riding her bike around, it was wonderful. It became an adventure every time we went to the bathroom from there on out! We ended up hanging with these lovely boys who were fashionistas and GREAT bartenders too! One of them spilled my drink that someone had just made me(a drink that had SHERBET in it)! He felt bad for that so he opened up a really expensive bottle of something I normally don't drink, poured me a FULL glass AND made his friend give me a ride home in their Art car! Where else can that happen?

I loved dancing a top a HUGE bus that had been converted into the ultimate party bus. The Nauti Bus was my favorite mode of transportation for sure! Sitting inside the bus, drinking wine and being with new and old friends was one of my favorite things. But go up the stairs to the top and things were a bit different. Loud music, good DJ's and beautiful people having a blast, the upstairs was a whole new world! The bus was my favorite! The Positive Vibe Movement brought it all the way to Black Rock City from South Florida! So many good things happened on that bus! The BEST music and bad-ass dancing all the time! I saw the Temple burn from the top of the bus, and had a grand view too.

I have stayed with the same camp 2 years in a row and I am so glad that I have. It has become like a family reunion, a very amazing family reunion! The family keeps growing and growing, and that means it also gets more and more fun! I was amazed again at how things turned out at our camp. Our camp is pretty organized, well, VERY organized for Burning Man. I am lucky to be around people that know what they are doing. They bring all their experiences and modify their ideas every year to make things run so smoothly. We all participate for sure, but without them (you know who you are) our camp would be smaller and not as AWESOME! Creative energy runs very high at our wine bar, thankfully it brings creative folks out to play with all of us! I love seeing people come into our bar looking sorta "skeptical" and watching them leave with a glass of wine and a huge smile. That is what "it's all about".

If you like teeter totter's, then the BEST one ever is at Burning Man. Well I think it's the best because I really like teeter totter's. I would put up a video but my friend has it on her camera( I really hope I get to see it someday myself). I went on it 5 times I think. It was worth waiting in line for! The Teeter Totter of Death is amazing. Don't let the name scare you, it's not THAT bad! It's really fun and being way up high allows you to look around at the city. That is another reason I camp where I do, the 'toys"! The other toys are just as great. I wonder how high in the air the Teeter Totter of Death is? I guess I'll have to find that out. Maybe I could ask one of the really hot boys who ran the the Totter.... they may know the answer! :)

I loved how I kept getting 'called away' to do a million fabulous things.The Playa has a way of putting you in the place you are supposed to be in. I hung out with beautiful people all week long because of this. The Playa and it's people are very powerful indeed! There are no plans and there is no need to rush. I will say that I had to "rush" a few times to get on an Art car or go to 'work', but it didn't matter, there is no stress on the Playa. I know people that have been stressed or have had a horrible time at Burning Man. So I guess I have been lucky and I feel blessed for sure. I only had positive interactions and I am so glad that I did!

Here is another amazing example of just how the "Playa provides":

I was wishing out loud to a few of my fellow campers about me wanting to have clean, washed, SOFT hair. There is a hair washing guy at our camp, he is a long time Burner, (I believe 15 Burns he has been to)and he happened to be right there, BUT he didn't have the space. He had already washed like 100 peoples hair! Therefore he had a lot of water to deal with. Anyway to make a long story short, I ended up getting my hair washed and a scalp massage. The Playa always comes through for you.

I hope that I can go again next year. I really think this is going to turn into my favorite annual gathering. I already have ideas and visions of next year. Black Rock City is not a place or event for everyone. Before you go, find someone who has gone to the burn and ask them questions and READ THE WEBSITE! There is so much to learn about being a participant at Burning Man. The website is very well done and is extremely informative. I learned so much from there and still do!

We, as human BEings are evolving quickly. We all need to re-learn some of the things we may have lost along the way to where we are now. Going to Burning Man or even surrounding yourself with a community "like" those you might find at BRC is another great way to get back to your roots. The interactions you have daily while at Burning Man can help to make you a better, well rounded person. I know it sounds crazy, but if you haven't gone you wouldn't understand. Sorry, but it's true. The Playa surely has helped change me forever.