3 days, 8 stages, 130 bands, and 15 different tan lines....

This weekend was a true testament to how old I really am. Three days in the sun, on my feet, treks back and forth from the car to the festival/stage to stage, plus a raging case of allergies can wear a person out. I do have to say that it was a truly amazing experience...expensive but amazing. The bands I saw...deep breath...Miike Snow, Lucero, Band of Horses, M.I.A (who I had no intention of seeing but ended up enjoying), Gogol Bordello, The Black Keyes, Vampire Weekend, Norah Jones..I could keep going but I'm sure you get the gist.

Even more amazing than the bands were the festival goers. Everybody looked out for one another and that was so refreshing. During Lucero, we met the cutest little family that shared their shade with us and told us about their previous ACL experiences. Also, everybody made a conscious effort to keep the park clean. I've been to music festivals before and by the end of the day, it's usually a sea of garbage. Zilker park looked just as clean walking out Sunday night as it did walking in Friday morning.

One disappointment was that I saw one particular and ADORABLE Austin blogger about 15 feet away from me but wasn't completely positive it was her until I text her after we had left to another stage so I didn't get to formally meet her. It needs to happen soon though.

My rock star status was through the roof Saturday when I was allowed access to the AMD VIP area that included real bathrooms, free food, free beer, and most importantly, TONS of shade. We watched the Broken Bells, Gogol Bordello and most of M.I.A in the VIP paradise before heading out of a night on the town. 

All in all, my first year at ACL was a success. Now that I've got some experience under my belt, I'm sure next year will be even more amazing! Hopefully I'll be living closer than I am this year. Being raped by pedi-cabs isn't all it's cracked up to be.