Should I spend the money and go to Burning Man this year? Has anyone been? Is it worth it?

Question

I've always wanted to go... I'm not even sure if there are still tickets available... I just don't know anyone who's been and I'm not sure if the expenses and travel are worth it.

Answer 1

I've got 9 years in on the Playa...I'm a veteran of the Gate staff...if you haven't yet been to the BM website and gone over every inch of it, AT LEAST ONCE, that's your first step...but, since you make no mention of how far you'd have to travel, or how much you'd have to spend to travel, how could anyone possibly answer your question regarding whether it might be worth it or not?...hello.....

But here are a few things to consider:

-are you a camper? have you ever spent time in the dustblown high desert at 100+ degrees, for days at a time?...if, for instance, you're a woman who finds anything less than a motel and access to a hair drier unacceptable, BM is not for you...unless, of course, you're prepared to suck up to some yuppie in a Winnebago...lame, but not unheard of...

are you traveling alone?...if so, DOUBLE check the BM website and it will tell you almost everything you need to know...short of unexpected hospitalization, nothing could be worse than finding yourself joined at the hip with somebody who just figured out that they reallyreallyreally don't want to be there...pointless...no excuse for it...ignorance is its own reward.

-when the website tells you to chug/pound/and otherwise down AT LEAST a gallon of water every day, believe them...sipping is for princesses...when the advice of the Experienced Ones suggests that you stay out of the mid-day sun, believe them...dehydration will happen VERY QUICKLY...you won't even notice that you're sweating....it evaporates that quickly in the zero humidity of Black Rock City...by the time you realize that your lips are chapping, it's too late...when your nostrils cake up and the callouses on your feet start to crack and peel away, it will be too late...if you're lucky, someone will pack you off to the med tent for intravenous fluids...

-be aware that your ticket sez, on the back, that you willfully accept responsibility for your personal safety in a place where injury/death are possibilities...stupid people don't last long out there...unfortunately for everyone around them, most stupid people are too stupid to know how stupid they are...TOO STUPID TO LIVE is a poor way to go...yes, it's a monster party...but anyone who's too hammered to act in their own best interests would be better off at home cruising the Burger King with the townies...

BUT, if you want to join 35000 very interesting people for an event unlike anything you've ever seen, in a place which may make you think of a fever dream/midway carnival/combo rave&light show from hell, somewhere on the surface of the moon...if you're prepared to get hot and dirty and beyond tired...if your spirit of adventure is such that it has set you apart from "normal" people (and you can not only live with that but relish it)...if you laugh at people in T-shirts which proclaim that they've "survived" some walkathon BS, come to the Playa and earn yourself some REAL bragging rights.

YES, it's worth it...but that's just me...and I'm almost 60.

If you REALLY want to get in on it, find Pearl, or Spiderman, or Scarecrow when you come through the Gate...if none of them are there, C-load, Gerbil, Dirty Mex or any number of other folks can point you in the right direction...volunteer to take on a shift or two at the Gate and you'll learn a lot really fast...do 5-6 shifts at the Gate and get yourself a free ticket and eats at the '07 Burn......

that's the 25 words or less...

tell 'em D3 sent you.

Answer 2

A friend of mine goes to "Burning Man", every year. He loves it. After the first time he went, He goes down early to help set it up. From what i understand, there's a whole lot of Rock & Rollin' goin on...and every "thing" that implies. The week long "party" terminates with the setting on fire an huge effigy of an used to be man, now also woman that (as I understand it) everyone that is there helps to build during the week. The building of this effigy is supervised by the designers & leaders of the event. According to my friend, the intensity of the socialization & the friendships made and lost are well worth it. If you go with someone, you definitely find out whether or not you can tolerate that person for a friend or intimate in the real world. Don't think you can just party and leave. You are responsible for cleaning up your messes & helping to keep the "community" clean. And then leaving the area as pristine as it was before you got there. I'll try to let my friend know about this question. He can fill in in more detail everything you need to know. I myself have never been. I don't drink, I don't do drugs, and a bonfire on the beach with a few friends is enough of a "burning man,,,or woman" for me.

Answer 3

To my knowledge, the Burning Man festival is a "free event"; there are no tickets to be purchased. If anything, it would probably be appreciated if you donated food and water to the festival or perhaps made a monetary contribution to purchase said supplies. Be sure you take what you will need for yourself because if supplies fall short, you could find yourself in the desert thirsty, hungry, and/or sick.

While there are folks that choose to sit on the sidelines, so to speak, and observe; this is not the spirit of the Burning Man festival. If you are going to go, plan to participate. Make a spectacle of yourself. Get naked, paint yourself purple, and don a ten foot long replica of a walrus penis.... or create whatever other costume and/or persona you wish. Recite poetry at the top of your lungs til dawn if you wish. Do what you will so long as it harms none. Try not to consume anything that you aren't confident you can handle.

Is it worth it? I have not been, so I do not know. From my perspective, I would much rather spend a fortune enjoying the roast suckling pig at Botin's in Madrid, passing the night away drinking rioja and watching flamenco, and wandering through the Alhambra in Granada, and then winding up on a nice balcony to watch people running for their lives from the bulls in Pamplona. Burning Man, however, is a much less expensive experience than seeing the sights in Spain...so my fantasy remains just a fantasy.

Do not let your life be dictated by concerns about whether an exotic experience is worth it or not...that is something you have no way of knowing until you have done it yourself. Go to Burning Man. Be sure to take good care of yourself and those around you. Even if you don't have the most incredible experience of your life, Burning Man has a reputation as an extreme cultural event; your memories of it will be like a badge of honor. People that have heard of it will be impressed to know that you have gone, seen it, and experienced it.

Answer 4

I think you absolutely should go. I have never been but hope to go some day. Just looking at the pics of it on their website is thrilling. I have a friend who went and really enjoyed. If you are easily offended by nudity or mature themes, it might not be for you. But to me, it looks like an amazing experience. I think it would awesome to be immersed in so much creativity and open-mindedness. Be sure to take lots and lots of sunscreen and water!

Go, and enjoy!

Answer 5

I've never been there. My friends say it's amazing! I think you should definitely go. It will be worth it dough. The only thing I don't know is if there's still tickets available. If you go have fun, I've heard there's cool things to do. bye.

Answer 6

Go.

It's wild. It's like no other concert that you've been to. It tops Lollapalooza. It's like a Tim Burton version of Disney out in the desert with cool music.

Go.

Answer 7

I live near there, gone, lots of friends go. It is in the desert, take lots of water and sun screen, camping, lots of "pagan" dancing, nudity, what we consider San Francisco wildness. Weed is illegal here and you can get busted for it and do jail time. Forest service cops ring the area. Kind of a clothing optional beach party in the desert. Stay safe.

Answer 8

I say go. My husband told me about it and it sounds like alot of fun. I don't think you will have that many expenses cause from what I heard it's alot of camping. Take the chance and go for it.

Answer 9

I haven't been, but I've heard it's amazing! I'd definitely go if I could!!!!! There are some amazing hot springs in the area if you want a good soak!

Answer 10

I have never been there myself, but I know people in the area and they say it is a hugh party. Like a rave in the desert. I say go!