Got back last Tuesday from Burning Man 2008
All I can say is WOW!
There were approx. 50,000 people there.
It's like a Mad Max movie with a Carnival theme.
During the days the Playa (which is a prehistoric dried up lake bed in the Black Rock desert) is a dust filled super bright fairground.
The streets are lined with theme camps and often there are bars set up offering all sorts of drinks both alcoholic and not.
The mood is one of complete tolerance and joy. Everyone has a smile for you and a "hello". And nudity is so common that after a while you don't even notice it anymore.
The day is for site-seeing and meeting people. Numerous works of standing art are set up in the open Playa and Art cars packed with people roam blaring their various forms of music...the exstatic occupants constantly smiling and waving.
As if this was not enough the nights are even MORE amazing as those same art cars (with many of the same people) are now awash in multicolored neon. They stop being machines and become magnificent moving dreams.
The black night is FULLY alive with bobbing glow stick lights and merry people. The atmosphere is CONSTANTLY on the brink of unrivaled debauchery. You always have the feeling that anything can happen.
There are all night parties, there are all night Raves, there are all night clubs, there are all night bars, there are all night moving art car parties, it's so much to take in that you will never get tired of looking.
There was even a frigging Roller Disco!
A week long event of festivities that really culminates Saturday night when they "burn the man".
That night in an of itself is a night of dreams and unparalleled excitement as nearly EVERYONE gathers in one spot for the event. And the man goes up with raucous music, fireworks and pyrotechnics. The music of choice? Gritty, hardcore underground techno from numerous art cars.
Sunday is another magical night. This is when the burn the "Temple". Another amazing work of art. This is the traditional place where people morn their lost loved ones and at any time of the day they are doing just that. Pictures, writings, items or interest and letters decorate numerous mini shrines and Sunday....it all burns.
It is no where near the festivity of Saturday night, but it's not supposed to be, shouldn't be, and I was super glad it wasn't. (for the most part) unfortunately some people (art cars included) show up ready to party and ready to cheer.
I had another special day too. My friend Russel (with help from friends) built his brother's memorial. Tyler Antonio Monteleone. He was a very close and good friend of mine. He was one of the only two friends I had while I was in the Army. We went everywhere together and I will be mentioning him often when I write about my past European adventures.
I have numerous pictures in the gallery from the burning of his shrine. It was a sad night for me to say the least. I'll miss him always....
Before I close, I would also like to mention that none of this event goes on without the SUPER hard work of the DPW (department of public works). You'll see many of them in the pictures and can pick them out by the blazing orange insignia they all wear proudly on their shirts or jackets.
They are a notorious bunch of outlawesque ruffians many of which are jaded towards any none DPW person, but EACH one is a person with grit and beauty. If they accept you its the highest honor that can be bestowed...a task not done easily and not without proof of your own grit and beauty.
I was VERY lucky. Because of Tyler and Russ I was fortunate enough to have seen BOTH the DPW side of Burning Man AND the tourist "participant" side.
If anyone wants to know more, write to me and ask. I couldn't put everything in this post as this is pretty much a book already. Suffice to say there is ALOT more to Burning Man and if you ever decide to go, you need to prepare WEEEEELLLLLL beforehand.
Here are some pics from my trip. There are TONS of awesome pics on the net from other people as well so take a couple of hours and enjoy!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?UV=894077733047_75892800714&collid=24357962114.66981399614.1220919481172&page=1Link to Wendy's page (she was one of the girls in our camp)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wendyw/sets/72157607087517553/Burning Man website:
http://www.burningman.com/
