Traveling with 43 people to the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, is an adventure on its own. Sand, dust, wind, heat: we were prepared for all of it. But traveling with 43 people on the day after the alleged bomb plots in London turned us into Burners even before we even reached the site. In a fear of liquids, all beverage needed to be taken out of our luggage. Scheduled departure time from Brussels: 11.30 am. Actual departure time to New York: 3.30 pm. As if it were meant to be a test, we lost our flight connection to San Francisco. Fortunately, we always wanted to see JFK airport overnight. Without food or drink. What better preparation to the desert can one have? The first steps to our creative community are put.

After a 3 am wake-up call by the sounds of the cleaning machines, we did the best thing one can do at a first day in the States: Breakfast at Burger King. With blood running through our veins again, it was time to say Goodbye New York and welcome to West Coast. The next day, it was time to hit the road. Thirteen jeeps, lead by a Harley on their way to Reno. It felt like the great escape, accompanied by a magnificent changing landscape of mountains, valleys, lakes and trees. Guided by the neon lights of Reno’s casino’s we finally arrived late that night in a shabby lodge. Thank God Dennys restaurant just next door was still open. Amazed by the menu – mozzarella fritters, spaghetti burgers, French fries with cheese sauce - and dazzled for choices – would you like chicken fried chicken, baked chicken, chicken soup? With apple sauce, American barbecue sauce, Ranch sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise? Small, big, large, extra large size? – we made ourselves comfortable, served by the most kind waitress ever. Unfortunately the incredible service and huge portions had to be brought in balance somewhere. To go short, we regretted or late-night dinner the next morning…