I met these Chileans on my third night at the festival.  They were rock climbers also, so we got along right away.  They’d hitch-hiked all the way from Santiago, Chile, which is about a thousand miles away and were going to walk part of the way home, just because.

It was a relief to meet some people who weren’t on acid finally.  They took me under their wing.  We danced a lot, ate meals together, and hung out in their tent when we got sick of techno.  That’s where this picture was taken.   It was like being at the coolest slumber party in the world.

The funny thing is that I almost didn’t introduce myself to these guys.  I heard them speaking English with a German guy, so I forced myself to approach them. My ego, that part that wants me to be isolated and alone and different, said I shouldn’t bother these nice people.  That they wouldn’t want to hang out with an American.  But after 20 minute of just standing near them, debating about what to do, I went for it. Come to find out, they thought I was a super interesting person, not a bothersome one like I feared.    When you desperately need to speak English with someone and desperately need a friend who isn’t tripping on acid, you’re more willing to put yourself out there.  Desperation is a gift sometimes. 

Well, I got not one but two freinds.  And it was amazing.  I know I’m an outgoing person, but that little shy kid in me still has a hard time walking up to people.  Thank god I’ve learned not to listen to the ego so much anymore.

(Techno Festival, Patagonia)