I attended my third Burn this year, at Black Rock City, NV. I now have a clear idea of what continues to draw me back. Asked at one point whether I would return next year, I could only answer "I can't, not." The reason I can't, not attend, is because Black Rock City and its inhabitants epitomize for me what the world COULD be.
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My small camp of 6 constructs a "really high picnic table" and provides a bar, and shade shelter (and lounge music) for anyone in the city that drops by. We like to refer to our offerings as a community service. From people who were clearly disoriented / physically beat down, whom we offered a chair in the shade and iced water, or a view from 25 feet in the air to hopefully aid in finding their camps, to wide-eyed folks from Switzerland, Italy, Chile, Chicago, and other points all over the globe whom we "heckled in" to share a beverage, a story, some bacon--everyone in this continually expanding city is there for their own reasons, but we are all there together. To enjoy the art, the community, and to help each other without a second thought or asking anything in return.
Cargo Cult was the official theme this year, and while not many people seemed to know what it meant or "who is John Frum", what I did notice this year was more camps gifting sustenance and shelter, or just randomly gifting creative "Playa Bling." And so many people from all over the world with eyes wide open, seeing the way things could be. More than one person said something to the effect of "I knew the everyone in the US wasn't like what we see on the news. I am so glad to see there are non-greedy Americans out there."
That's why I cannot, not Burn. Every year the number of incredibly resourceful, creative, giving, supportive, caring, people that gather in the Nevada desert increases, and it's being a part of that amazingly vibrant city that recharges my batteries, and I try hard to bring some of it back to my corporate life in the default world.
See you Burners at Home next year :)
JPK