rites of passage: big fish

a desert dream came true for me at burning man this year: i experienced the playa in a beautiful work of art known as a mutant vehicle...

my beloved campmates from sacramento built this amazing angler fish from scratch. it is known as the BFF (Big F*ing Fish) and was a spectacular art car creation...

it was truly a thrill to ride in the fish. due to the generosity of my campmates, i spent my very first night out on the playa sitting in the chair on top. feeling the cool desert breeze on my face while observing a three sixty view of all the stunning art around me was unforgettable.

with all my heart, i mean this: it was one of the most incredible moments of my life.

to ride on this work of art while viewing the night playa in all its splendor...to interact with people around us who loved the fish and expressed that love to my friends who created it...to feel the craftsmanship and connection that went into the making of the meticulously built vehicle...well, it was a joy overload. 

happy tears poured down my face that night as i perched on the poisson...

many memories were made on the fish. laughter, jokes, silliness, reflection, tears, naps, new people, old friends, dancing, gifting cold drinks, getting parties started, helping fellow travelers, screaming while being chased by sharks, listening to music, observing enormous things bursting into flames, rolling around the city with kindred spirits in a luminous night scene...

{photo by TWITA2005}

this is a short video i captured while preparing the fish for a night out...

a deep heartfelt thank you to my village (camp innuendo) for so graciously sharing the fish. by allowing me to join your adventures, you inspired me to my core and made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. i adore you and am forever grateful.