Traveling to Burning Man was tough, especially because of a particular member of my group who was being a non-inclusive hypocrite and wanted everything done his way, and definitely overall just because it was tiring and we were all on very little sleep. We rolled up to the gate after hours of waiting in line, half asleep. I was crumpled up in the car dozing off and when I woke up several cars away from the gate, I was extremely grouchy and irritable. I was one of two newbies in the car and we were told by our second-timer friend about the initiation ritual we'd have to do when we got to the gate. I was NOT excited! I was like, "Ugh, do we really have to do that? How embarrassing. I'm not in the mood for this. I know I'm gonna get playa dust all over everything but I don't want to purposely roll around on the ground!" But I knew my friend wouldn't let us get away without participating. I was not looking forward to it at all, but as soon as we rolled up to the gate, a friendly older man came up to the window and said, "Welcome home! Any virgins in the car?" His smile and warm demeanor INSTANTLY changed my mood, and I smiled back while our friend pointed to us. He said, "Ok, get out of the car!" I hopped out excitedly and we exchanged hugs. He introduced us to his wife who complimented me on my fur coat and welcomed us sweetly. They told us to lay down on the ground and make dust angels and I happily obliged! I rang the gong and yelled with a big grin, "I'm not a virgin anymore!!!" What a difference a smile and merry people can make! And as soon as we rolled into BRC, I proudly took my top off and began to embrace it all!
The other part of my experience for which I am extremely grateful is seeking help at medical. On the very day we got there I developed a UTI, and after a couple days of trying to treat it with cranberry supplements it was not getting better so I decided I really needed to get help. I really didn't know what the procedure would be, and was worried I might have to continue suffering. My friend came with me and we rode to the nearest medical station, where I told them my problem and they said they don't dispense meds for that there, and we needed to go to the Rampart building. As soon as we got there, a girl took my information and symptoms down on a form, handed it off to another person, and within 10 minutes a doctor named Kathy/Cathy came out with a full course of Bactrin antibiotics. Another person came out to take my temp and blood pressure, and lickety-split, we were sent on our way! Wow, SO EASY. I was so thankful and relieved for their immediate attention and for being able to simply walk in, tell them what I already knew was the problem, and get medication on the spot. Healthcare in the default world should be like this all the time. What a shame all the flaming hoops we have to jump through just to stay healthy!
to something else.
