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girl getting ready for coachella | Image: Supplied
The Quest for Parking: An Odyssey
So, there I was, hyped for weekend one of Coachella. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, just the small detail of actually getting to the festival. Let me tell you, the parking situation was… intense. Imagine a real-life version of Mario Kart, but with minivans and SUVs instead of go-karts, and the finish line being a patch of dusty desert where you could maybe park your car. After circling for what felt like an eternity (it was probably only an hour, but still!), I finally snagged a spot. Victory? Not quite. It was approximately a million miles from the entrance. But hey, at least I had a parking space, right?
frustrated girl looking for parking at a music festival | Image: Supplied
The Fashion Fiasco: When Sparkles Attack
Coachella is basically the Met Gala of the desert. Everyone’s rocking their most outrageous outfits, and I was no exception. I had spent weeks planning my look: a flowy dress covered in sparkly sequins. I felt like a disco ball goddess. What I didn’t anticipate was the sequin shedding situation. By the end of day one, I was leaving a trail of sparkles everywhere I went. Seriously, I think I single-handedly glitter-bombed half the festival. I found sequins in my hair, in my shoes, even… well, let’s just say some very personal places. Note to self: next time, maybe skip the full-body sparkle suit. Less is, often, more, as they say!
girl covered in glitter at a music festival looking annoyed | Image: Supplied
The Unexpected Celebrity Encounter: Harry Styles Edition
Okay, this one's kinda wild. I was waiting in line for a lemonade (hydration is KEY, people), and who should be standing right in front of me? Only freaking Harry Styles. I kid you not! He was just chilling there, sipping a drink, looking all effortlessly cool. My brain short-circuited. I wanted to say something witty or charming, but all that came out was a squeaky, “I… I like your shoes!” Smooth, right? He smiled politely, probably thinking I was a complete weirdo. But hey, at least I made eye contact with a pop icon. That's a story for the grandkids, I think. If I ever have them.
girl looking surprised seeing Harry Styles at Coachella | Image: Supplied
The Portable Charger Predicament: A Digital Disaster
In the age of Instagram and TikTok, a dead phone at Coachella is basically a death sentence. I thought I was prepared. I had my portable charger, fully charged, ready to go. Except… disaster struck. After only about two hours, my portable charger died. Like, completely, utterly dead. I was phoneless, mapless, and utterly alone. I felt like I was stranded on a deserted island, except instead of palm trees, there were giant art installations and crowds of flower-crown-wearing festival-goers. Let this be a lesson: always bring two portable chargers, or maybe just embrace being off the grid for a few hours. Its kinda nice, actually. Being present and all that. Plus, the pics will wait!
girl with a dead phone looking frustrated at a music festival | Image: Supplied
The Fashion Emergency: Shoe Catastrophe
So, you already know I wanted to look cute, right? Part of that plan was my footwear choice. Bad. Freaking. Idea. I wore these super cute, but totally impractical, ankle boots with a slight heel. By mid-afternoon, my feet were screaming in protest. I developed blisters the size of quarters (no exaggeration!). I ended up limping my way back to my car (which, remember, was a million miles away) and changing into a pair of old sneakers I had stashed in the trunk. Not exactly Coachella-chic, but my feet were eternally grateful.
girl with blisters on her feet at a music festival | Image: Supplied
The Lost and Found Adventure: Retrieving My Dignity (and My Sunglasses)
At some point during a particularly energetic dance session (probably during Doja Cat's set), my sunglasses went flying off my face. I searched everywhere, but they were gone, swallowed by the crowd. I figured they were lost forever. On a whim, I decided to check the lost and found the next day. And guess what? There they were! My beloved sunglasses, sitting in a bin full of other lost treasures. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. I learned two things that day: 1) secure your accessories, and 2) the Coachella lost and found is a magical place.
girl at a lost and found booth at a music festival looking relieved | Image: Supplied
The Random Act of Kindness: Festival Karma
Despite all the chaos and mishaps, there were also some surprisingly heartwarming moments. One evening, as I was waiting in line for a food truck, a girl noticed I was struggling to open a bottle of water. She stepped in and helped me out, no questions asked. It was a small gesture, but it made my day. It's moments like these that remind you that even in the midst of a massive music festival, there are still good people out there. Festival karma is real, people!
girl helping another girl open a water bottle at a music festival | Image: Supplied
The Unexpected Friendships: Bonds Forged in the Desert
Coachella is a melting pot of people from all walks of life, all united by their love of music. I met so many amazing people during my weekend in the desert. I connected with a girl from Australia while waiting for a set, and a group of guys from Canada while charging our phones (or trying to, anyway). We shared stories, danced together, and laughed until our stomachs hurt. These unexpected friendships were one of the highlights of my Coachella experience. It just goes to show that you never know who you'll meet, or what kind of connections you'll make, when you step outside your comfort zone. Would I go back again? Absolutely! Even with all the chaos and craziness, Coachella is an experience like no other. And hey, at least I have some hilarious stories to tell.
group of friends laughing and dancing at coachella | Image: Supplied
