Virgin Eyes from Dogtown at Burning Man 2018

The first time you do anything in life is beyond special. You can try to replicate the feeling, but it will never be exactly the same as it was that very first time: riding a bike, starting a job, watching fireworks, eating an ice cream cone, having sex…and going to Burning Man is no different.
If you asked me five years ago if I wanted to go to Burning Man, I wouldn’t have even known what you were talking about. And if you had tried to describe it to me, the answer would have been HELL NO! Camping with a bunch of hippies naked in the desert for a week long doing drugs and 24/7 orgies?!? Because that’s the reputation it has to the outside world, right? I mean that’s what all the rumors are and when you look on the Instagram imitation it’s where the wildest, wackiest and weirdest flock to frolic for a week so they can unlock every inhibition they’ve ever dreamed about. But oh, if only if those who haven’t ever gone knew just how wonderful and beautiful this magical place really is. It’s a life-changing place you won’t ever know — until you know.
Fast forward to 2018. As the years have gone by, I’ve been more educated, more friends have attended and my desire has grown to attend the largest celebration in the dusty desert and add it to my own bucket list. This being my year of action, it seemed like the perfect time to set my intention to going to Black Rock City to check it out for myself. I went on Amazon and bought a few outfits and gear in assumption I would get to the Playa.
Easier said than done though. Tickets were a hot commodity unbeknownst to me, so I joined just about every Burning Man Facebook Group I could find, BM special interest groups, set up alerts for tickets on Ebay, Craiglist, ticket sites, you name it. I finally bought a ticket only to find out it was from a scammer seller. Luckily, Paypal refunded my money. Not one to give up, but deeply discouraged at this point from the time and effort it was just to get that bogus ticket, time was running out.
I woke up to the devastating news a childhood friend had passed away suddenly and that’s when I knew I didn’t just want to go — I needed to go. I couldn‘t explain it, but I had to get to the Playa. This was my year. A force was pulling me to go and this was a reminder that you can’t wait around as you may not get that second chance. I was now even more obsessed to find a ticket.
And then just like magic, two days from Burning Man, a dear friend sent me a message introducing me to a solid lead that led to a legit ticket. I drove almost two hours the next day to pick up the ticket and went into full plan mode. I had two days to get my stuff together and go. I could do this!
I was planning to go solo, but I had reached out to an experienced Burning Man friend ahead of time to get advice and she graciously extended an invitation to join her camp. They sounded so warm and loving, so I knew my first burn was set up for success. When I look back, I can’t imagine what my trip would have been like alone. Yes, I would have seen all of the same things, but I guarantee it wouldn’t have been the same experience. I feel honored and beyond blessed I was able to camp with Dogtown. I went in a complete stranger to a group of people and left with a tribe I consider my Playa Family for life. From the minute I arrived, I was engulfed with unconditional acceptance and love.
This was not only my first Burn, it was also my first time camping. When I showed up they were all waiting for me like at a family reunion. What could have been intimidating, was washed away immediately with open-armed hugs. I knew this was going to be a great week.
One of my campmates set up my tent under his shade structure who he generously shared, displaying his thoughtfulness and extreme generosity which carried on throughout the week. Not surprisingly, as all of my Playa Family was such. In a world of self-reliance, we also knew when to help our family out, and to let them have their wings. Watch over them when extra help was needed. Lend support. Build them up. Add comic relief. There was a reason in the outside world of a million blinky lights, stimulation overload and distractions, we often chose to stay close to home on our front porch to hang out with each other. Conversation and company were more than enough surrounded by our blasting chill beats in the hood. We bonded. We broke off in small groups, had large group outings, gave each other space when needed and came back to break bread together for family meals. It was no surprise others would see us and ask to be in our camp next year. They wanted what we had. We had something unique and special.
And not only was our internal Family Playa unit special, what we provided for the Playa was too. Dogtown operated like a Soup Kitchen feeding about 300 people a day. While there were countless bars, DJs and dance floors — and don’t get me wrong, I greatly appreciated all of them too! I loved being in a camp that provided food to people. I was fortunate to be able to be on the front line handing people their Frito Pie. The look of gratitude was priceless. People from all over the world gathering together, men, women, children, all colors, races, ages, all on one playing field and all waiting in line for the same meal, then moving over to our lounge to eat together. Some came naked, others in elaborate costume, while others in ordinary clothes you’d see in Old Navy. It was simply incredible. Our kitchen team operated like a well-oiled machine, no matter who was on shift. And that’s how we were as a camp in general. No drama. No bitching. Burning Man, in general, made me question: Does Utopia indeed exist?
In a week’s time you have the most magical place operating with 70,000 people adhering to code and ethics where there’s no crime, catcalling, total acceptance — think about that: total acceptance, a place to explore and experience anything and everything you ever wanted in a completely safe environment, no judging, no littering, no feeling self-conscious, no Snapchatting, Instagramming, selfies, a place you can JUST LET GO. It’s hard for me to do that. I’m your typical type A. But on the Playa, in my camp, I was able to detach, free my mind, relax, and chill. I was able to allow myself to feel comfortable, feel loved, accept help, feel totally relaxed and to really sink in to soak it all in. On day two the dust and dirt almost got to me and I was about to pack it in. I’m so glad I didn’t. You have to push through to really get what it’s all about there. The longer you’re there, the longer you understand. You appreciate more. Where else in the world does every person come up to you, look you in the eyes, introduce themselves and then give you a hug? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they did? Wouldn’t it be great if we could wrap up Burning Man to go and spread its infectiousness around the world?
And I think the dirt is necessary. It breaks you down. Make you appreciate everything that much more. It bonds you with everyone who is also going through the same experience. No matter who you are going in — you are on the same level at Burning Man as everyone else once you enter and that is the coolest part. It gets in every part of you. And that’s ok. You learn to deal with it. Your hair feels like shit. You look like shit. But then you learn how to accept and rock it!
I will never be able to repay my Playa Family for the gifts they provided me — but in Burning Man fashion I know they would never want me to either. They are all such cool, kind, individual, amazing humans. All I can say is THANK YOU. Thank you for your love, support when I needed it, comfort, pushing me when I didn’t even know I could go to places I went. I appreciate you all — especially my tour guide, my trip would not have been the same and I’m excited to see what journey lies ahead.. Until next year. I look forward to going HOME and seeing you all again.
As for tips and tricks I learned along the way for other Virgins, some I picked up, others are from my awesome Playa family…
Musts:
Saline/ Q-Tips- Vaseline Daily Nose dips- Your nose will get dry!
Pan and Jug of White Vinegar- the playa dirt will dry your feet out
Spray Bottle with Vinegar- spray your hair
Each Day’s outfit pre-pack in a Ziplock
Battery Operated Dustbuster, Vacuum- dirt will get in your tent
Floor Matt- wipe feet before entering tent and leave shoes outside
Wig to protect hair- if you can stand the heat, protect your hair
Wet Brush- if you have a shower, this is key
1-Ply toilet Paper
Hydration Water/Nuun Tablets/Pedialyte- a MUST!
Good Cooler
Cot- Off the ground bed situation
Fur Coat to keep warm
LOTS of blinky lights for body and bike
Cup with lid and carabiner
2 Dust Masks
2 Clear Goggles
Lots of sunscreen and at least 2 lipbalms with sunscreen
Daytime hat
Comfortable Boots/Shoes
Bike Basket
Plastic Tubs with Lids for storage and to minimize dirt getting into your stuff
Canopy to put over your tent for shade
Ear Plugs/Noise Cancellation Headphones!- For the Chill Beats 24/7
Much Love,
D
