September 12th, 2012 
Kristin 
The question is always the same: ‘What exactly is Burning Man like?’
The answer is always the same: ‘It’s really hard to explain, but it’s just really cool!’
I asked this question and got this answer when contemplating buying tickets with my old college roommate. She had been several times before I promised me I would love it.
To give some background, Burning Man is an art festival that takes place every August in the middle of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Black Rock City, the Burning Man “venue,” is erected by festival goers in the days leading up to the festival. Burning Man requires that every attendee be “radically self-reliant,” meaning each person is responsible for bringing his/her own food, water, shelter, and packing it all back out when it’s time to leave. It is very important to leave no trace.
The Playa
The other component is “radical self expression,” meaning that everyone wears whatever they want (or nothing at all) resulting in some pretty impressive costumes and creativity. Moreover, the crowd is amazing. There is no exchanging of money in Black Rock City, so everything is gifted, creating a harmonious community.
I wasn’t really sure to expect, but I’m glad to say that my roommate was right – I loved it. More than that,
It changed my perspective.
I had been a little cynical about people in general before heading to the festival. My love/hate relationship with the extremely materialistic Newport Beach community I lived in had made me a bit jaded. I needed my faith in humanity restored.
Restored it was.
The best way I can explain this festival is to give you a run-down of my favorite night there:
I had just thrown on my costume and headed out for the evening. Immediately, I hopped on an art car (BRC is full of them! Creative, amazing art cars built and brought in by attendees) that took me all the way around the playa while playing amazing music.
Sitting atop an art car, rocking our ridiculous costumes
It dropped me at a huge stage complete with pyrotechnics and giant LED screens and lasers. Just as we arrived, Crystal Method took over the DJ booth and played one of the best sets I’ve ever witnessed.
Just outside the dance area, a trio of fire breathers was putting on a spectacular show to the music.
Then, lightening flashed across the sky and the unthinkable happened – it started to rain! Only briefly, though, thankfully.
After the rain subsided, we headed back out to dance to some beautifully slow music, watching the others in the tent dance in a harmonious way I had never seen previously. I was so moved.
I spent the rest of the night exploring art exhibits – ones that could be touched and interacted with (I have never been to a festival where we could touch the art). The night culminated with a beautiful sunrise. At some point, I turned to the buddy I was with and said “I finally get it.”
The coolest art exhibit – a sunken pirate ship!
The “it” was the beauty of the people and the art. Each person who attends the festival brings something to give away. Hugs and compliments are given freely and time ceases to matter. I didn’t even care that I was always covered with dust and lived a generally dirty existence that week. The anxiety of being off of a set schedule subsided and a cool calm came over me.
It’s still with me, and it feels so good.
On Saturday, the man burned, amidst an excited crowd, boisterous art cars, and fireworks
The Man
The Wall Street exhibit followed, along with all of the symbolism that goes along with it.
On Sunday, the temple burned. The temple was one of my favorite parts of the festival. Each year it is different. This year, it was an intricately-carved Buddhist-inspired temple. Along the walls people scrawl messages to people or things they need to let go of – people who have passed away, past relationships, and even departed pets.
Inside the beautiful temple
As the temple burns, everyone falls silent. There are a few shouts of “I love you (insert name here),” but otherwise, everyone pays their silent respects. I’ll admit it, I cried as I watched the flames consume the messages I had written. The calm that followed was welcome.
With that, the festival ends.
I bode the amazing people I had met there goodbye, made my way back to the RV, and we headed out. I still carry the amazing feelings with me. I hope they stick with me until next year.
You better believe I’ll be returning. I hope to see you there.
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I'm a former investment banker who quit my job, sold all of my belongings, and bid the life I knew goodbye in favor of searching for off-the-beaten-path adventures in Asia. I'm a SCUBA addict, humble student of Mandarin, passion fruit enthusiast, and above all, an adventurer. I plan nothing, and simply let things fall into place. For more information, visit the 
For a festival with an anthropo-immolative name, it sure does look joyous. I do hope to make it there one year – even if only to find poignancy in the flames. Failing that, I might just put a fur cape on and wish for the best.
A fur cape is a good start. You don’t even have to wear anything underneath.
Shame someone can pull it off much more effortlessly than I ever could
I’ve read so much about this lately. Sure sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Or for me, several. I’m going back next year for sure!
I love seeing photos of the temples they erect. These seem to be getting better and more intricate each year! I’d love to attend some day. Looks like a blast!
You should go for sure! I can’t wait to see what they come up with for next year.
Great photos and update, Ava. Looks like you guys had a blast!
I did! Thanks Carrie!
Ahh, I’ve wanted to go to Burning Man for years now. It never seems to work out. Loved your stories and photos — hopefully I’ll be seeing you there one of these years soon!
Seriously do it. See you there next year!
I would love to go and every year I put it off thinking maybe it`s not that great, but no one who has been there has ever regretted it. I need to go.
I thought similarly. I figured there was no way it cold beat Coachella or Electric Daisy Carnival. I couldn’t believe how much better it was. Go! I’m not even considering Coachella again because BM was so much better in comparison
I need to go there and you need to post more pictures from such said festivities. I’d heard good things and you seem to confirm and expand on all of them.
They’re all over my Facebook and instagram!
MJ has long said that she wanted to go to Burning Man, although I’m unsure if I could handle it. This post gives me a little hope though:)
I thought I might be a little overwhelmed too, but it ended up totally awesome. There’s truly something for everyone there.
Beautiful description of the event, Ava. I’ve never been to Burning Man, but as a music journalist in the ’90s (when I was in my 20s) I used to go to festivals like Lollapalooza, HORDE, Further and Smoking Grooves constantly, and loved the combination of music, art and kinship with like-minded brethren. Dunno that I’ll ever make it out to the desert, but your story made me wish I could!
Coolest part is this is one of the only festivals where I really felt someone of any age at all could go and find their place. You should go!
[...] I’ve wanted to watch the man burn since I was in high school, so I’m super jeal of Ava’s once-in-a-lifetime experience at Burning Man. [...]
Sounds incredible – it’s long been on my to do list! I attended a similar, but much smaller scale festival in the Australian outback, and found that to be refreshment for the soul too.
I heard about that one! I want to go to that as well.
Beautiful Ava I’m coming with you next time xxx
Mark your calendar – August!
Been dying to go to Burning Man, and no one will take the plunge with me!
BM is one of those places you don’t need to attend with friends! Everyone is so friendly, you can go alone and never really be alone. Go! I’ll see you there!