- Joined
- Jan 9, 2008
- RO Number
- 29205
- Messages
- 283
Hey all!
I know this isn't boating, but I said I would do a trip report...
I made it back from Burning Man, a changed person. What is Burning Man? It is a temporary city, the 3 largest in Nevada, that is erected in a week, 49,000 Burners show up, party, meditate, dance, drink, and whatever, then just as quickly, it is returned to dry, arid desert without a trace. This was my first burn, but not my last. I am hooked for life. For 7 days I was engulfed in what is a cross between Mad Max and Las Vegas – without a single thought of the outside world. Never before in my 50 odd years have I experienced anything like it. It is not for the faint of heart – you brave white-out dust storms, intensely loud music 24 hours a day, and incomprehensible number of activities that range from full blown world class opera to really explicit sex training of all types. There are “theme camps" of all sorts –gay, art, old, drinking, yoga, - hundreds, and some you cannot possibly imagine! There are GIANT dance pavilions – the Deep End and the Opulent Temple being the biggest, that have between 2000 and 4000 people rocking like you cannot possibly comprehend. These places have laser and fire shows that put Vegas to shame. There were probably 500 bars – walk right in, 24 hours a day – and meet new people. The Art – nowhere in the world can you find this much creativity. For my first 2 days I wandered the city in total amazement, trying to understand how this place could be. There are millions of dollars spent, without a single word of advertising or return for the people spending the money. After a few days, I realized it was truly people giving back and sharing – really! Everyone worked together and shared everything. I spent about $1000 on food and booze, and gave almost all of it to passerbyers I didn't know – initially. I met hundreds of people, some are now friends, others I will see next year. It is so hard to comprehend this thing – it is set up in a semi-circle with Center Camp and the Esplanade a 24 hour cit area with petry, yoga, you name it rotating throughout the areas. Out from Center camp into the playa is the Man, a 50foot work of art in neon that is burned in a nearly religious ceremony on the 2nd to last day. Ever see 50,000 people sit in a circle? Art cars – there is no driving, except art cars which vary from the simple converted golf cart to the extreme. Ours was the Kaz Bus – a London double decker bus with a dance floor for 50 on top and a bar and lounge inside, all tricked in neon and paint to look like a Persian palace. It was sooooo cool. Other are cars were extreme. There must have been at least 5 double length muni busses – one covered 100% in white fur with an leopard skin interior, towing a 20 foot matching trailer with probably a $100K sound system. There were ships – probably 25 – that were 2-4 stories high with room for 50 or more crew, slowly cruising throughout the event. You flag them and hop on. There was a fire-breathing duck that had to be 3 stories high and shot 50-75 foot flames on command. Almost every vehicle had amazing sound. My neighbor's are car was a drivable speaker – it had no less than 12 pair of bigger than 14" speakers and probably 10 12", and dozens smaller. It had just over 17,000 watts – you had to hear it!
Here was my first day. We arrived at BM on Sunday night about 9:00 pm, not sure if there was a place to park, only to find about 1000 other cars, RV's, Motor homes, all arranged in 50- vehicle long rows, one after another. Let the party begin. At midnight, we worked our way to one of about 18 rows at the gate. I was asked if I was “new", and said yes. They pulled me out and I has put on the ground in front of my truck, in about 3 inches of playa dust (like talcum powder) and made to make snow angels while that kicked dust all over me! Then I rolled over face down and did it again! I then got to take a big pipe and ring the bell – I wan now OK to enter. Like I said, it's not for the faint of heart. The Hottie gave me a beer for the drive in. We worked our way in, there are no lights or real well defined roads yet as they come with traffic, but we found our camp. Extremely well organized layout with radial streets named after the hours of the closk, and the radial streets named after card. We wer 2:30 and Dart. We got our trailer set up by about 2:30 and had to deliver a message to a camp on the other side –about 3 miles. My brother and I took off on bikes, got lost, and about an hour later found ourselves and the Suck & **** Bar. It was small stick-built building about 30 ft square that looked lik an old western outbuilding. Nice bartender, really crazy. We had to tell him a story to get a drink – my brother did it on his first, it took me 3, but he loved my story! We listened to 4 or 5 other people tell stories, and off we went in search of the other camp. We found the area, and started asking the people that were still up and eventually stumbled on someone from the camp – odds are not really good, it was luck! By the time we got back to camp, the sun was coming up. A few hours of sleep, and away we went. We went through a 12 hour white-out dust storm, and after about 2 hours of being locked in the clean trailer, decided to brave the storm. We looked like the dudes from Mad Max – goggles, bandanas, layers of dust, and away we went, only to find hundreds of others doing the same! Girls – everywhere. Hundreds of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen, and about ¼ topless. No big deal, just a form of expression. Lots of naked guys too – you do whatever rocks your boat! Never saw a violent moment – 50,000 people partying 24 hours a day, without a single unhappy face. Dress at night is like New Orleans at Mardigras – to the HILT! Never have I seen such exotic and beautiful dress – everywhere! Almost everyone is lit up, either with el wire in their cloths, light sticks, or glow in the dark fur – you just have to be there. At night the playa comes to life, and from our vantage on top of the bus, it looks like Las Vegas – unbelievable!!
Art – the other part is are of all kinds and it is set up on the plays, just outside town. Our project was abit controversial – a ten story steel building called Babylon. This thing was about 50 foor square and had 10 observation floors. It held probably 500 and 1000 people all the time – people were getting married on top! The view was nothing short of amazing. Rumor has it the cost was over $1M. There were other art projects and displays that hit that number – again, just amazing.
Oh yes, did I mention everything is free. You could only buy ice and coffee, that's it. All the food and booze is free, The haves help the have-not's – a tru communal event of epic proportions. World-wide – I met dozens of people that flew in just for the event, from Canada, Germany, England France China, Africa, and a few I don't remember. One guy from France said the event is “legendary" in Europe.
Suffice to say the event is unique. I am now a burner and honored to be a citizen of Black Rock City, if only for a week. Only 359 days to go till my next burn – I am already working on my camp and projects for next year!
Photos – I have lots but need to sensor them - what happens at Burning Man, stays at Burning Man. I will get to post some, but in the meantime, go the Burning Man web site and there are some really good pictures.
Cheers! Oh yes, on the playa, I am Jungle Boy
I know this isn't boating, but I said I would do a trip report...
I made it back from Burning Man, a changed person. What is Burning Man? It is a temporary city, the 3 largest in Nevada, that is erected in a week, 49,000 Burners show up, party, meditate, dance, drink, and whatever, then just as quickly, it is returned to dry, arid desert without a trace. This was my first burn, but not my last. I am hooked for life. For 7 days I was engulfed in what is a cross between Mad Max and Las Vegas – without a single thought of the outside world. Never before in my 50 odd years have I experienced anything like it. It is not for the faint of heart – you brave white-out dust storms, intensely loud music 24 hours a day, and incomprehensible number of activities that range from full blown world class opera to really explicit sex training of all types. There are “theme camps" of all sorts –gay, art, old, drinking, yoga, - hundreds, and some you cannot possibly imagine! There are GIANT dance pavilions – the Deep End and the Opulent Temple being the biggest, that have between 2000 and 4000 people rocking like you cannot possibly comprehend. These places have laser and fire shows that put Vegas to shame. There were probably 500 bars – walk right in, 24 hours a day – and meet new people. The Art – nowhere in the world can you find this much creativity. For my first 2 days I wandered the city in total amazement, trying to understand how this place could be. There are millions of dollars spent, without a single word of advertising or return for the people spending the money. After a few days, I realized it was truly people giving back and sharing – really! Everyone worked together and shared everything. I spent about $1000 on food and booze, and gave almost all of it to passerbyers I didn't know – initially. I met hundreds of people, some are now friends, others I will see next year. It is so hard to comprehend this thing – it is set up in a semi-circle with Center Camp and the Esplanade a 24 hour cit area with petry, yoga, you name it rotating throughout the areas. Out from Center camp into the playa is the Man, a 50foot work of art in neon that is burned in a nearly religious ceremony on the 2nd to last day. Ever see 50,000 people sit in a circle? Art cars – there is no driving, except art cars which vary from the simple converted golf cart to the extreme. Ours was the Kaz Bus – a London double decker bus with a dance floor for 50 on top and a bar and lounge inside, all tricked in neon and paint to look like a Persian palace. It was sooooo cool. Other are cars were extreme. There must have been at least 5 double length muni busses – one covered 100% in white fur with an leopard skin interior, towing a 20 foot matching trailer with probably a $100K sound system. There were ships – probably 25 – that were 2-4 stories high with room for 50 or more crew, slowly cruising throughout the event. You flag them and hop on. There was a fire-breathing duck that had to be 3 stories high and shot 50-75 foot flames on command. Almost every vehicle had amazing sound. My neighbor's are car was a drivable speaker – it had no less than 12 pair of bigger than 14" speakers and probably 10 12", and dozens smaller. It had just over 17,000 watts – you had to hear it!
Here was my first day. We arrived at BM on Sunday night about 9:00 pm, not sure if there was a place to park, only to find about 1000 other cars, RV's, Motor homes, all arranged in 50- vehicle long rows, one after another. Let the party begin. At midnight, we worked our way to one of about 18 rows at the gate. I was asked if I was “new", and said yes. They pulled me out and I has put on the ground in front of my truck, in about 3 inches of playa dust (like talcum powder) and made to make snow angels while that kicked dust all over me! Then I rolled over face down and did it again! I then got to take a big pipe and ring the bell – I wan now OK to enter. Like I said, it's not for the faint of heart. The Hottie gave me a beer for the drive in. We worked our way in, there are no lights or real well defined roads yet as they come with traffic, but we found our camp. Extremely well organized layout with radial streets named after the hours of the closk, and the radial streets named after card. We wer 2:30 and Dart. We got our trailer set up by about 2:30 and had to deliver a message to a camp on the other side –about 3 miles. My brother and I took off on bikes, got lost, and about an hour later found ourselves and the Suck & **** Bar. It was small stick-built building about 30 ft square that looked lik an old western outbuilding. Nice bartender, really crazy. We had to tell him a story to get a drink – my brother did it on his first, it took me 3, but he loved my story! We listened to 4 or 5 other people tell stories, and off we went in search of the other camp. We found the area, and started asking the people that were still up and eventually stumbled on someone from the camp – odds are not really good, it was luck! By the time we got back to camp, the sun was coming up. A few hours of sleep, and away we went. We went through a 12 hour white-out dust storm, and after about 2 hours of being locked in the clean trailer, decided to brave the storm. We looked like the dudes from Mad Max – goggles, bandanas, layers of dust, and away we went, only to find hundreds of others doing the same! Girls – everywhere. Hundreds of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen, and about ¼ topless. No big deal, just a form of expression. Lots of naked guys too – you do whatever rocks your boat! Never saw a violent moment – 50,000 people partying 24 hours a day, without a single unhappy face. Dress at night is like New Orleans at Mardigras – to the HILT! Never have I seen such exotic and beautiful dress – everywhere! Almost everyone is lit up, either with el wire in their cloths, light sticks, or glow in the dark fur – you just have to be there. At night the playa comes to life, and from our vantage on top of the bus, it looks like Las Vegas – unbelievable!!
Art – the other part is are of all kinds and it is set up on the plays, just outside town. Our project was abit controversial – a ten story steel building called Babylon. This thing was about 50 foor square and had 10 observation floors. It held probably 500 and 1000 people all the time – people were getting married on top! The view was nothing short of amazing. Rumor has it the cost was over $1M. There were other art projects and displays that hit that number – again, just amazing.
Oh yes, did I mention everything is free. You could only buy ice and coffee, that's it. All the food and booze is free, The haves help the have-not's – a tru communal event of epic proportions. World-wide – I met dozens of people that flew in just for the event, from Canada, Germany, England France China, Africa, and a few I don't remember. One guy from France said the event is “legendary" in Europe.
Suffice to say the event is unique. I am now a burner and honored to be a citizen of Black Rock City, if only for a week. Only 359 days to go till my next burn – I am already working on my camp and projects for next year!
Photos – I have lots but need to sensor them - what happens at Burning Man, stays at Burning Man. I will get to post some, but in the meantime, go the Burning Man web site and there are some really good pictures.
Cheers! Oh yes, on the playa, I am Jungle Boy
