Burningman 2006 - Another Planet

click here to see more photos

Burningman this year was, as every year, an amazing trip. It was mind blowing and core shattering. It was inspirational and supportive and educational and eye opening. It is a place like nothing in this universe. One night, while biking from one side of the playa to another, my buddy and virgin burner, John Tucker, said, "i feel like i'm in outer space and it's like we are traveling from one planet to the next." John's comment was about the visual experience of being outside at night at Burningman and he is dead on. In between the spaced out pockets of light that illuminate the awe inspiring installations of art, there is pure darkness and you literally feel like you are floating through space (from one planet to the next) as you walk or bike along.

While John's comment is dead on, I say that Burning Man is like no other place in the universe NOT because of the visual experience you have while you are there. In all rights, it is the most fascinating and aesthetically unique and interesting place I have ever been. But that's not what makes it special for me. Burning Man is like no other place in the universe because the social experience of participating in such a successfully cooperative society is unparallel in any culture, country, social group, family or relationship I have ever seen or participated in. I call it successful because it brings so much happiness to everyone there, and, as you get to know me, you will begin to see how important other people's happiness is to me.

Another thing that is important to me is self-expression. As a kid growing up, self-expression was difficult (as it is for many kids). I craved acceptance from friends and family and often sacrificed my own interests and conformed to whatever behavior was necessary to achieve that. As you might imagine, the pressure of wanting to be accepted prevented me from really expressing myself. At times, it still does. At Burning Man, there are no rules, but they do have a few guidelines. 1) Leave No Trace, 2) Contribute/Participate, No spectators, 3) If it don’t come from your body, don’t put it in the potty, 4) No driving over 5 mph, 5) No commerce allowed (Except for ice and coffee), and a few others. Outside of that, you can do WHATEVER you want. When I was/am at Burning Man, the guideline that I should contribute and give back, combined with the freedom do whatever I want, makes me feel like I can express myself exactly as I choose with no fear.

What I re-discover each year is that by simply being the person I want to be, and doing the things I enjoy doing, I am able to contribute to other people's positive experience and bring them happiness. The magnitude of this realization is matched only by the simplicity of its truth. Why have we created a world where that is so hard? I can picture in my head right now, people telling me how that is not possible and why it's not possible. If that is you, then I tell you this, imagine a world where it IS true. That is what it's like at Burning Man. Now what if you decided, right now, to live your life that way? What if everyone did?

These are a few things I did this year at Burning Man that I love to do and that also contributed to other people's happiness:

The recharging station - Version 0.2 of Camp Virgin Luxury was a simple recharging station where fellow campmates or any random passer-by could come for a myriad of re-charging services. These included re-fueling with ice cold water, home made cookies or brownies (brought from London), or candy; re-freshing with an ice towel scented with florida water; re-laxing with a head massage, foot massage, back massage, hand massage or even a slow dance to a relaxing, romantic song; re-juvinating with some high-energy music and a dance partner (me); & re-setting with some basic advice on how to get on with things.

Hugs not Handshakes - It's a simple rule to live by and everyone loves a hug

Costumes - I love wearing costumes, and the smiles I saw on people's faces when I wore my green alien suit with fiber-optic green hat was unbelievable. That I could bring other people happiness by just the clothes I wear was amazing (this is something I've taken back with me to london, by the way. i wear costumes every day).

Greeting - I spent 3 hours on Wednesday night welcoming newly arrived burners to their home. The excitement on their faces and in their body language that came from the simple activity of me expressing myself in whatever way I felt was amazing. At times I think it was just the uniqueness of the way I choose to express myself for that given person that made them so excited. This was everything from hugs, to spankings, to dancing, to sharing a beer, to making them hit the bell and scream "I'M NOT A FUCKING VIRGIN ANYMORE!" to the impromptu celebration that occurred with Fared's 72 year old uncle arrived with the supplies they needed to survive the rest of the week. THAT was awesome.

Tour Guide - Showing my virgin friend John around the playa and watching his eyes open at everything was amazing.

Participation - It's not just about what I can give to or do for other people. But actually, by taking part in an event, experience, or activity that I enjoyed, by taking part in something that was designed or created by someone else, I actually made them happy!

People are starting to call "Burners" a "tribe", and I think that is an excellent description. It's a group of like minded people who get together once a year to be themselves in an entirely welcoming and supportive place. If we could only expand that period to the other 51 weeks of the year, think of how great our lives could be! As I understand it, that is one of Larry Harvey’s goals, and, to be sure, he’s got a great vision. I, for one, have tried to live my life everyday with the same energy and freedom that I felt while at Burning Man. And everyday that I do feels great.

More Amazing Photos from a fellow Euroburner

And a few more from Camp Overkill