the balloon man

Burning man is a celebration of life that is truly unrivaled. The burner ecosystem survives via a culture of generosity that is so profound and contagious that it often overwhelms first timers.

For my first trip I was woefully unprepared and hesitant about arriving in the playa with a pocket full of starburst and skittles to hand out to anyone who offered me something. My nerves were easily quelled as no one expected anything in return. Most places eschew newcomers, burning man embraces them as if they were royalty.

Our neighboring campsite was an old Korean man who slept in his car all day and night and every morning would emerge to hand out balloons at sunrise. On the last morning, he tied a series of balloons together and set them off into the playa sky. The simplicity of this magic was confounding and the memory of the happiness instilled eternal.