Vote Charlie!

Through Charlie Gorichanaz’s Eyes

A fabulous end to Burning Man 2024

Posted at age 36.

The rest of the week flew by, I couldn’t believe it. After the Wednesday bar crawl, we saw less of our VICE friends but hung out with Matt and a bunch of fellow Big Girthians at their various camps many times. We had a couple of more chill art exploration nights, and a couple of good long nights of dancing and excitement till after sunrise. It was a great mix with minimal stress. If only every year could be like that!

A photo off Brian's point and shoot disposable camera, I think!

A photo off Brian's point and shoot disposable camera, I think!

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Faster Burning Man Ultramarathon than predicted, than ever!

Posted at age 36.

The part of my Burning Man I spent the most time preparing for by far was the Burning Man Ultramarathon. I had run the race six times before, so I knew I could finish it without dying. But I knew from past years my training rigor correlated strongly with how painful the race would be, and how long it would take me to recover. There’s little sense in putting in all the effort of getting to Burning Man only to spend several days of it barely able to move — though it would still be worth it if that were the only option!

The ultramarathon went really well!

The ultramarathon went really well!

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Off to a great start in open camping

Posted at age 36.

We had a pretty chill Sunday and Monday as I mentally prepared for the race. We climbed a scary tower, then a less scary tower. We magically ran into Rob and Omar in deep playa, and then made a bunch of friends at a camp called VICE. The week was off to a great start!

Alan and my 2024 Burning Man camp, in open camping right at 4:45 and H.

Alan and my 2024 Burning Man camp, in open camping right at 4:45 and H.

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Preparing for a simpler Burning Man

Posted at age 36.

Alan and I made the journey to return Burning Man this year. We were prepared for a low key year in open camping, but it turned out wonderfully! We happened upon Rob in deep playa the first day, leading to a bunch of plans and connections right off the bat. We hung out at VICE and made many friends whom we’d see throughout the week. And I ran my fastest 50K and wasn’t dead afterward.

The fully loaded Jeep was much less overloaded than last time, thankfully.

The fully loaded Jeep was much less overloaded than last time, thankfully.

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Another delightful but very short Japan excursion

Posted at age 36.

At the start of this trip almost month prior, it felt like there was so much time ahead. I couldn’t believe only a few days had passed and we had done so much. It was so refreshing to be traveling again, and getting to know Patton on a’ whole ‘nother level was great. Returning to Japan briefly on our way back from Vietnam was a somewhat hectic but actually very rewarding conclusion to our trip. The juxtaposition of the two countries made me better appreciate Japan’s development but also Vietnam’s freewheeling excitement.

Kabukiza Theatre in the Kobikicho district, where we saw the one small part of an all day program.

Kabukiza Theatre in the Kobikicho district, where we saw the one small part of an all day program.

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My first X-ray, in Hanoi

Posted at age 36.

We spent 2 nights in Hanoi and went on one day drip. Unfortunately I am running out of steam posting all these blogs from the trip, so this is going to be mostly photos!

Thanks to the kind folks at the Institute of Occupational Health and the Environment, I got to examine my foot bones and see if I had the injury I suspected. Apparently it's not a bone issue, though!

Thanks to the kind folks at the Institute of Occupational Health and the Environment, I got to examine my foot bones and see if I had the injury I suspected. Apparently it's not a bone issue, though!

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Biking, boating in Tam Coc, climbing Mua Cave

Posted at age 36.

During our few days in Hanoi, we went on a day tour to the Ninh Binh area about two hours north of the city. I continue to be amazed in the amount of stuff these companies can pack into a day for less than $50 all included. It was a pretty fun trip and included a very nice hour-long boat tour through some interesting caves.

Climbing the Mua Cave viewpoint near Tam Coc, Vietnam.

Climbing the Mua Cave viewpoint near Tam Coc, Vietnam.

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My first tattoo, in Saigon, and a drag party

Posted at age 36.

The time on this trip has been flying recently. We finished our last few days in Saigon by getting me a tattoo, getting some art for Patton’s friend, and going to a big gay party. It was a great time, and then I was sad to be leaving Saigon come Sunday morning!

Getting my first tattoos with Matthew at Hoàng Tattoo in Saigon, Vietnam. We decided to get dragons because we are both year of the dragon, and it was currently year of the dragon!

Getting my first tattoos with Matthew at Hoàng Tattoo in Saigon, Vietnam. We decided to get dragons because we are both year of the dragon, and it was currently year of the dragon!

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The Củ Chi tunnels and a messy Saigon run

Posted at age 36.

Tuesday was a chill day, in which I ran 16 miles and then Patton and I got dinner with David. Wednesday we did another tour, this time a half day one to the Cu Chi tunnels north of Ho Chi Minh City. We ended up with the same guide, Jack, somewhat by design. Then we got dinner with him and said goodbye!

After the Cu Chi Tunnels tour, Patton and I got dinner with Jack, our tour guide, at Pho 24 Pasteur St in Saigon.

After the Cu Chi Tunnels tour, Patton and I got dinner with Jack, our tour guide, at Pho 24 Pasteur St in Saigon.

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Touring the Mekong Delta, Vĩnh Tràng Temple, Saigon Skydeck

Posted at age 36.

Monday we went to the Mekong Delta with a tour group. We got to explore a bit the region called My Tho, including a well known Buddhist temple site called Vinh Trang. We took several boat rides, including one on a small boat called a sampan down a canal through some coconut trees. It was a pretty nice excursion!

Touring part of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, by a small boat called a sampan.

Touring part of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, by a small boat called a sampan.

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