A few weeks before our trip, my two friends warned me against some of the things that I will be seeing at Black Rock City, Nevada. Nothing truly prepared me for the surprise and bewilderment I was going to be exposed to. It was going to be a few days packed with action and fun. For those who are not too familiar with Nevada, it’s one of the states where prostitution is legalized. Are you thinking about Holland where tax is collected on the brothel workers and owners? No, this is conservative US, but Nevada has long been alone in doing things that will shock your senses. Besides all the casinos that litter the place and all the dance halls for long and bawdy parties, now you can find the urban-born ceremony called Burning Man. Get ready to be shocked and startled for the whole time you are going to be at Burning Man. Every year, thousands of fans, spectators flock to this desert area to participate in the ceremonies culminating in the burning of a tall statue of a man. This is the place where they can recreate themselves in the company of friends. Most of the times, participants, revelers get disguised in characters they would never wear if it was not for this type of party.
How did this ’’Burning Man’’ idea got started any way?
Back in 1986, a dude named Larry Harvey decided to do something different. He got together with some of his friends who helped him ignite an eight-foot wooden man on Baker Beach in San Francisco. The ceremony continued there without any trouble for several years until the guys were kicked out. They ended up relocating it to Nevada. Black Rock Desert is the area where it has been held since then. This is far away from San Francisco and away from the city of Reno, Nevada. Some people say it is located at about 158 miles of Reno.
Get ready to see people without the trappings of modern civilization.
Leave sensibilities behind: Self-expression is the name of the game
Some people truly get into the idea of the event. They only bring the strict necessary. They come ready to survive the natural elements. If it is not rain, the participants have to reckon with dirt, tumbleweeds rolling onto the sand, and dirt, lots of dirt. Some people don’t have to worry about getting dirty since they don’t wear anything at all. Please leave behind your sensibilities. On many occasions and almost each detour, my friends and I would walk past participants who were drinking, dancing, displaying their assets and sometimes coupling. The natural laws and instincts took over. All of this is happening with very sensuous music around. It all depends on which camp you are frequenting. You can walk various small shops that offer free samples of their services. Every year, the Burning Man Festival seems to attract people from all over the world. I ran into a few guys from Canada and France. They said that once they found out about it, they make arrangements to take their annual vacation at this time. Lots of body piercings and tong piercings! You would think that this type of event attracts only people on the fringe. While a lot of dot-comers seem to be attending, normal, ordinary Joes and Janes are regular attendees too. By the sight of huge RVs parked around, you can tell that these people are successful professionals. It’s true that this type of events tends to attract the creative folks such as artists, writers and actors. There are all kinds of performers around too.
Besides hitting the casinos and the Strip, plan to attend this annual Festival some time
If you don’t ming getting painted in the nude, then Burning Man is for you. If the sight of hard-bodied, beautiful men and women jumping in the air and riding fake horses on wheels does not embarrass you, then you will be a good reveler. If the nude body of a beer-guzzling dude does not mean anything to you, then, you can really have fun around. If you can survive without the urban comforts you are used to, then head out to the next Burning Man Festival. Don’t worry, people are more generous and polite than usual. Remember there are no boundaries. You can be whatever creatures or imaginative things you want to be on the Playa, in the desert grounds.
Warnings: If your religion and principles don’t allow you to be around alcohol, drugs, sex, sex en plein air, stay away. Or at least, don’t step where these actions are taking place. You will find everything and anything that the larger society has to deal with. After all, you are in Nevada, far away from civilization. You will also receive solicitations from all kinds of people to join them in the fun.
Have fun and stay safe above all. Don’t break the laws. You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Just be a tourist like the thousands of others in this type of carnival. Don’t worry about attending. Every year, during the week before Labor Day, you will have a chance to celebrate at the Playa.