ePlaya

Howdy everyone. It's been a while since I posted last. Just been lurking since we weren't able to make it to the big burn last year. But I'm back and we're going strong for Caravansary 2014.

Quick little poll about some things we did in 2012... We covertly placed Chinese take-out boxes labelled "take me" around. Inside were cookies with special fortunes and supplies we thought people might need or could share, such a lights and candy and chapstick, etc. Did anyone find one? We put out 40 or so. If you did, what did you think? What was in yours? What do you wish had been in it instead? Would you pick one up again?

I know we saw Savannah at our mobile absinthe cart, did any one else here make it? How was your experience? How was your absinthe? Did you enjoy the personal attention or were you annoyed by the slow pace. I think we need to make some adjustments, any advice, positive or critical is welcome.

Oh, wow! My first thought when I read "gift boxes" was "I wonder if that's anything like that little Chinese take-out box I found at Lamplighters...!"

So, yes, I encountered one of your little beauties. It was a fun unexpected moment for me during my first burn. The box itself was nestled on a lonely bench upstairs in the bar. I was afraid it might have been left behind, so I went over only to find it said "Take me." That was the moment when I suddenly realized it was an anonymous gift - to me, of all people - quite the warm feeling. This was only my second or third day on the playa.

I think it might have had a little candy inside? Must have been from another burner between you and me. I love candy, so that go devoured pretty much immediately. Then I scampered back to my tent, pondering what stuff I could hide inside for the next burner to discover. I put a new tube of chapstick and a cheap LED flashlight inside, spent five minutes trying to re-fold the lid down, and then hurried back to the lounge to hide the box once again in a similar way. It was gone by that evening, into the hands of another happy burner.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, for a first-timer, it was a hell of a lot of fun to find something hidden away and then to be able to continue the chain of gifting. It was anonymous and spontaneous in a way a lot of the big, "sanctioned" stationary art pieces aren't, even those that gift material trinkets.

So... thanks!

Sounds like a awesome gift. Great story/memory, Scout!

Indeed.

There are things I might want to gift, if there were someone willing to help on that end.

Oh, Scout! That brought such a smile to my face! That box was one of the first ones we left. We had awesome long island iced teas and watched some hula hoppers. When were getting ready to go, we decided to go upstairs and see if we could leave a box there. We were worried we'd be spotted, or even worse, accused of mooping! I'm so glad that it made you smile, and even better that someone else had enjoyed what we left, left something that you found and you left something for someone else. That is exactly what I had hoped for. Thinking of doing this again, with different treats this year.

Thanks for the story! It'll bring me happy dreams of home for sure!

What were you thinking, Crypto? I love a good intrigue/challenge...

Oh, there's stuff I have, including patches, that I might ask someone to gift for me.