Every year it seems like cell service and WiFi availability at Burning Man increases. It’s undesirable when you’re actually there, trying to forget reality; watching people posting to Instagram or Facebook on the playa is jarring, and hearing real-world news kinda breaks that beautiful, disconnected spell for me.

But skipping this year has made me realise that the increased connectivity is super awesome when you’re not there – no more social media blackouts. I’m seeing sunsets, costumes, weather conditions… watching it live from afar is kinda nice!