It’s one of those things that you have to experience to fully understand.
As for me, why did I go? Honestly, I went for the art. The art, and the costumes! I’m not gonna lie- I LOVE dressing up! Give me a black tie gala, a theme party, or Halloween, and I’m a happy camper! And to me, art and fashion are one and the same- it’s all about creativity and self-expression- two things I hold close to my heart. Also, the other thing is, I like to have my mind blown. I don’t want to just insipidly go through life feeling unenthused. And that comes from seeing things or experiencing things that you wouldn’t normally see or do. I love the rush of experiencing something completely unexpected and amazing. Being a photographer, I am very moved by images– Moments and times that are captured, and then shared, and able to evoke emotion. Actually, when I had seen some images of past years of Burning Man, I just knew, without a doubt, that it was something I had to feel and experience for myself. And this was finally my year, where all the stars aligned….
So, what IS Burning Man exactly?
When people say there is no way to explain it, and you won’t understand until you go, I now fully know what they mean. It was so much more than I could have ever imagined. But to appreciate it, you have to be willing to let yourself be entirely open to it all. If you do, then Burning Man will illuminate your mind, warm your heart, and set fire to your soul.
If I had to try to explain Burning Man in one sentence, I would say that it is the ultimate place where absolute creative self-expression is met with zero judgement. It’s not a festival or a carnival. It’s a pop-up City— for one week only— built and created and financed entirely by all those who choose to attend. It’s a temporary society, where an unparalleled collaboration of diverse people from around the globe, come together to connect with one another and with their innermost selves. You need a ticket to enter (and they are very coveted and not easy to come by). The normal price for a ticket is $425, and this covers the set up of center camp, with medics and rangers there to assist you at all times, portable bathrooms, etc. But once inside…. no money is required.
Just like any other city, you can find food, bars, medical facilities, performances, etc. But where else in the world can you partake in a yoga class, play trampoline dodgeball, hear a Ted Talk, get a healing reiki treatment, receive a kinky lesson in the art of spanking, network business, attend a performance of the Philharmonic Orchestra in front of a larger than life art installation, and dance at any given minute at a pumping club, all within the same hour and within a one minute bike ride? And all at no cost?
This magical place is created at the expense of each individual ‘Burner’ for the purpose of filling other humans with awe and inspiration, and creating a beautiful community connection.
It’s a virtual ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ for educated, conscientious, curious, creative, and open minds who are wanting to experience absolute freedom in a safe and non-judge mental arena, where you can just surrender and truly let go. — Let go of worries, of restrictions, of things weighing you down. You can let go of the persona you are expected to be in daily life, and be who you want to be. You can let go of your inhibitions, and revel in the beauty of just breathing and pulsing and smiling. I tell you, it is hard not to smile there. I loved the open Playa, alongside the tightly woven neighborhoods of the camps. I loved the people I met. I even loved the dust. Because it was entirely real. Here, you can let your hair down, let your clothes slip off, or costume yourself up to new levels. You can calm your mind & body, relax, and feel peace in a true escape from any and all confines of daily life. Or you can choose to revel and party and celebrate…. Be your favorite spirit animal!! Mine is a sparkly, jewel-encrusted Unicorn, and she was ecstatic to prance around the Playa on her rainbow bicycle, taking pictures of the most insanely amazing art and creation she’s ever seen. Happiness overload.
The elements of the Playa- extreme heat & extreme cold, dust storms, etc, can be a struggle for some, if you’re not prepared. But for every obstacle, there are at least 1000 sweet souls, willing to lend a hand, help you out, and offer salvation. This gifting community takes care of one another in ways that we can only wish for the rest of the world. It is true what they say… the Playa provides.
And when this World realizes what Burning Man revelers already understand….. that when the power of love replaces the love for power, only then, can we all live happily together on this planet.
Until next time….. Aloha, Burning Man! (I WILL be back!)
*This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I may earn a small commission, which helps me keep this website running. So, thank you!!!
DAPHNE’S TOP 10 PACKING LIST ‘MUSTS’ FOR BURNING MAN:
- FACE/DUST MASK – I had several, and used them all. One multifunctional face mask for less intense dust storms and also for biking in the colder night air. And one more heavy duty mask for more intense dust storms. And an in-between, that is also a stylish mask.
- GOGGLES – My favorite pair were BMX biking goggles that prevent against dust too. I bedazzled them with rhinestones, and they worked awesomely! But you can have more than one pair, if you want some that are more fun.
- FAIRY LIGHTS/LED lights – The Playa is super dark at night. If you are planning to walk or bike anywhere, you need to light yourself and your bike up. It’s dangerous if you are not lit. Fairy light strands can be woven around your body or your bike, and wheel lights and a front flashlight are good for your bicycle.
- BIKE SEAT COVER – If you are biking around the Playa for hours on end, a super cushiony bike seat cover will save your ass.
- BIKE LOCK – People on the Playa won’t try to steal your bike on purpose, but sometimes when it is dark (and people are drunk), they may grab a bike accidentally that isn’t theirs (yours!). You do NOT want to walk home from the Playa during the cold, dark night, if you can help it! Get a combo bike lock, and lock your wheel to the body, or lock two bikes together.
- HEAVY COAT – It gets very cold at night (and you will definitely want to venture out at night!) Make sure you have a warm coat, and a fun faux fur coat if you want to be stylish while keeping warm.
- TIN CUP – easy to wash, easy to clip, this carabiner cup can attach to your bag/bike basket, and is handy to bring around with you everywhere, to be filled with drinks (alcohol, coffee, etc, that people at various camps are handing out).
- WATER BOTTLE – stay hydrated at all times! Fill your water bottle before heading out for the playa. I used this silicon water bottle, because it is light & collapses so that it doesn’t take up much room when you are done with the water.
- CAMERA WITH HOUSING – If you plan to take any photos, get a protective casing for your iPhone, or a Go-Pro with waterproof housing, to protect your devices from the dust. Many cameras have been destroyed by the dust.
- ELECTROLYTES/VITAMIN PACKS – with all the elements of the playa, and drastic temperature changes, plus the fact that you may be pushing your body to the limits on very little sleep, these will help!