- It is quite breezy and chilly, much like the playa at night.
- Night resembles the back roads of BRC late at night - dark with an occasional small light.
- The full moon makes it lighter outside than inside.
- No electricity, heat, phones, internet, or tv.
- Cell service is sketchy at best.
- There is nothing to buy - Stores are all closed.
- Many more people walking - gas is in short supply since the pumps require electricity.
- Intersections are like those in BRC - no traffic lights. Unfortunately it is causing many fatalities since the speed limit is not 5 mph.
- The hum of generators is pretty common.
- Aside from candles, our playa gear is providing the bulk of our light.
- We are living out of coolers.
- Public transportation (the small amount that is running) is free.
- There is not a lot to do aside from socializing, drinking, spinning poi, etc... very much like sitting around camp on the playa. Although volunteers are needed, getting to an area where you could be of help poses an immense challenge.
- We may be losing our indoor plumbing soon. The sewage plant that handles the half million people in this area flooded, then had a catastrophic fire.
- Wednesday there were dozens of people on the streets in costumes and I was gifting candy.
- At night it is warmer to hang outside by a burn barrel than it is in the house. This not only reminds me of the playa but also conjurs up images from Max Headroom since all the tv's are out too.
I made these notes the day after Halloween. We had a relatively easy time of it compared to many, but it strikes me that being a family of burners made it much easier for us to adapt. Hundreds of thousands in the region have lost their homes and everything they own, many have died, and in areas the devestation is total. Small areas that have not received much media attention are still awaiting food and water. In a way I suppose not being wealthy enough to live near the beach has been a blessing, but I still feel great sadness for those that are suffering there.
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