So I finally hit the desert and getting all my shit to camp was a whole fucking journey but I knew this going in. I set my mind to know that this is going to be suffering and it was going to take everything out of me just to get my things to my camp sight. The Burner Express leaves you at the edge of the city. and to give you a perspective of the size, these next graphics should give you the scope of what I was dealing with. My camp was located at 2 and Apparition and the the bus was way down at like 630 and K. There was a tram that picked you up iwth your luggage but it only took me as close as 3 and F.
So, from what I gathered in research and from what my new friend Good Trouble suggested, I left one bag at some random camp at my last stop on the tram and left the other bag at the Burner Express stop to come back later. I dragged 6 gallons of water and my luggage in the blistering heat on wheels and just took the brunt of the work as penance. Half way to camp some turds asked if I needed help and my eyes lit up only to be dissapointed in them wanting to give me a massage as help. That was so annoying. I was growled at as I turned them down and went my way. I was so happy to have at least gotten somewhat familiar with the maps and found my camp with great joy. Don met me and showed me to my location and when I asked if he had a wagon I could borrow to go get the rest of my luggage he suggested taking the most perfect form of transport for a person like me. A paletero bike! Turns out my camp neighbors were from Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua which was the very city I lived in for 15 years! My own family still lives in those parts so it was a blast from the past and a wonderful welcome. So I set off to get the rest of my stuff on this lovely ride. Litlle did I know the adventure I was about to have.
So I headed back out in the paletero bike in search of the rest of my luggage. I picked up the first piece at the random camp that I placed it at and headed towards the direction of the bus stop. I didn’t know the exact address so I reached for my phone only to realize I had left it back at camp and was too far to turn back. I figured it was adventure time. Took me about an hour to finally get to the bus depot and loaded up my other huge bag and started to head in the direction I thought the camp was. Boy was I wrong. I ended up in the clearing which was Esplanade street looking out to what is called dee playa and thought I just needed to look for the dome. As I looked, I realized there was like half a dozen domes in that direction and asked for directions. Turns out I was way on the opposite side of this vast desert. I took a moment to observe the treck ahead of me and took a swig of my water before deciding to inch it out that way. I was so grateful for this bike because it made carrying 100lbs of luggage managable and also had an umbrella to take breaks from the sun. Took me 2 hours to finally make it back to camp and set up my tent.
I had made it to Burning Man yo. I looked at the desert and thought of all I went through to make it there. As I inched across that vast desert, I took it all in and thanked all that helped me get there. After I got my tent up I began to adjust for the elements. I placed my shade above it but also placed emergency blankets in between my rainfly and tent to prevent dust from getting in and to let me sleep in longer and it worked. I had my solar generator going with fans and actually was pretty comfortable for being in such a harsh environment.
