“Songbird”

First burn-2017! “Tinman” and I celebrated our new status as empty-nesters by coming to BM together!! This will be our second!

Home: Milwaukee, Wisconsin since 2010. Born and raised in sunny Southern California. Coming from wisconsin we drove and took 3 days to get here and 3 days to get back. The trip was absolutely wonderful and can’t wait to do it again!!

Camped with PP-this will be my first time!

Why Burning Man? I had never really desired to attend but it’s been on my husband “Tinman”’s bucket list so I agree to join him last year. Having zero expectations and mostly fears (I consider myself to be quite a princess) I was astounded I think I enjoyed it more than he did! I found strength I never knew I had and more love than I ever knew existed. I never wanted to leave!

Volunteer on the Playa? I didn’t last year because I was seriously just trying not to die the whole time. I’m not signed up yet for anything but very very much plan to volunteer as much as I can. I am not fearful of dying or getting lost and feel I can venture out alone this year. I think I really missed out by not volunteering last time.

Toughest thing-making peace with the porta-potties. I have a real fear and disgust of them as I’m a bit of a germaphobe.

Favorite moment-I can’t even choose one. But I’d have to say biking back from getting ice one morning—a woman dressed like a wizard was standing in the middle of a street offering fresh baked cinnamon rolls. I think it was day 2 and I burst into tears. It was surreal. I felt like i had seriously died and gone to heaven and she was an angel. Where did she come from? How was she able to bake on the Playa? And they were free?? She never said a word—just held out a platter with a smile and hugged me— the whole experience was very profound for me.

Hardest part-leaving and going back to the default world! And then answering the question, “how was Burning Man?”

Best takeaway-Burning Man changed me, and I returned a happier and more grateful person. I feel it’s my purpose now to help encourage my loved ones to attend and if they can’t or don’t want to, to practice the 10 principles in my daily life and teach those around me. If only real life was like the Playa our world would be the garden of Eden again.