Just about a year ago a dust covered, beat up, tired young man landed at Philadelphia International Airport. He was greeted by a young lady who had not seen him in about a week. She drove him to the apartment he had just moved into and returned to work.
He sat in a bath with vinegar and relaxed. He thought about the week that has passed. It had been an experience, but he was glad to be home. The young lady took excellent care of him over the days that followed. His skin returned to normal. He adapted to the environment. In the days that followed, he was not sure if the experience would ever happen again.
I think a little vocabulary is in order now.
playa: Spanish for "beach". It is often used to refer to an alkali flat in Nevada, particularly an area of it near the town of Gerlach.
Burning Man: An event occurring on the playa (currently) once a year. Further attempts to define this event are beyond the scope of a blog.
Nearly a year has passed and many things have changed. The young man is now planning to attend the event again. He only has a year of experience, but he has changed several of his plans this time around. Any reservations the man may have had have gone. This year, the young lady will join him in the strange environment. He has started packing as has she. As for what is being packed I won't say. Part of the fun is surprising people.
As a beautiful slideshow reminded me this afternoon, the event is unlike anything else in my experience. It has a beauty all its own. It is a place of freedom that leads to phrases such as "default world". I do not yet call it home, but it is a place where I can interact freely.
I look forward to returning to this strange place. I look to introducing the love of my life to the little of it I know and experiencing new aspects of it.
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