![]() The blister liquid moved up and down. The area of burnt skin just kept growing, revealing itself with each unraveling. More raw skin appeared, more burnt spots surfaced. What started as one spot that looked burnt, now turned into two spots the size of silver dollars with a huge blister underneath. They kept calling people over to look at the burn like they had never seen anything like it. The first-aiders determined it was at least a second-degree burn, if not third. I can’t even count how many times I went to the first aid tent: between every other song, if not after every song, after every set, etc., etc.īack at first aid after Thomas’ set, the burn looked much worse than it had originally. I was extremely mindful of my burn throughout the night (and early morning). I ended up dancing throughout the night, all the way until the sun came up the next day. The first-aiders wrapped a new bandage around the burn, and I danced like a wild animal throughout Thomas Mapfumo’s set. ![]() As they sound-checked I wobbled to the official first aid tent of the festival. As soon as she walked away I said, “I’m dancing no matter what.” Hopping on one leg while clutching my thigh, I made it all the way to the main stage. The camping nurse wrapped gauze around my leg and told me I couldn’t dance for the rest of the festival. For months I’d been looking forward to dancing to their show. Once I found out what time it was (7:45 and my main squeeze, Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited were scheduled for 8) I really started to cry. Luckily a woman who happened to be a nurse was camping close by, and she came to my rescue. Well two ended up running in different directions for first aid. One grabbed my hand for support (even though I ended up being the one telling him it would be okay), one poured cool water on the burn and another ran for first aid. This continued to be the case throughout the duration of the burn’s life. It stung, but it was not overwhelming painful or unbearable. Then I broke down, crying, “All I wanted was maté.”Īt first the burn did not hurt. I sprung up, pulled my pants off and saw my skin start to sizzle. I just changed into silk pants from a sarong. Once I got back to my camp, between juggling my maté gourd, my thermos with an unscrewed on cap and other items that have no significance now, the water in my thermos spilled down my leg. Eager to make some maté (a South American tea known for its energizing properties), I approached boys at a neighboring campsite to boil water. The burn all started with my desire for an early evening pick-me-up. ![]() It was horrifying and upsetting as it happened, but I was more concerned with making sure I saw my favorite acts play and being able to dance all night. This past summer I got a second-degree burn on my thigh while I was at my favorite music festival. It’s a picture from one year and three months later. Update from October 26, 2013: This blog now includes the most recent photo of the burn. Warning: This blog post contains graphic photos of burnt skin. The first part of the blog is the story of how my skin got burned. The second part, “The Healing Process” is where you can find information about healing burns.
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