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 the year that I went (2018) was $425, and that does not include a vehicle pass, if you are entering with your own vehicle. What is does cover is 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.
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