How I did it: I'd been wanting to go to Burning Man for as long as I'd known there even was such a thing (probably 7 years or so).  So when I decided 2010 was the year, I put my head together with a good friend started planning.

Initially we discussed the nuts and bolts stuff: food, shelter, transportation, water.  Then we got into fun stuff: costumes, EL-wires, body paints, glow necklaces, etc.

Each week we got together and went over our list of stuff and started heading out to stores. Target, Home Depot and CVS were very handy!  For the remaining items we split them on lists and took care of things separately.  Throughout we kept a running ledger of expenses so we shared the costs evenly.

That's a BRIEF look at PLANNING.

Then there's BEING at Burning Man, which is a whole different story.

We hit the road to Gerlach at about 10AM, took a quick pit stop in Reno for lunch around 1PM, got to the Gerlach area around 7PM and then didn't get into Black Rock City until 1:00AM!!!  That's right folks, we waited over three hours *just* to get inside the gate!

But once we were (and got our tents set up), it was all worth it.  The city was aglow in neon and fire and even on Monday morning (as in 3AM morning time) the citizens were lout and alive.

From that point on, Burning Man continued to inspire and amaze me.  The art, the people, the performances, everything there is magic, pure unadulterated magic.

I loved it so much...I'm now planning my Burning Man 2011 trip.  If home is where the heart is, then my sweet home is Black Rock City.

Lessons & tips: - Plan a lot and earlier the better and for the worst is a good bet (though expect the best once you get there!)

- They say 1.5 gallons of water per person per day.  We *almost* used that much, so you shouldn't need more than that if you're bringing other beverages with you as well.

- HYDRATE!  Seriously, my friend ended up REALLY sick (like vomiting all night sick) from not being hydrated.  Don't be like him and spend your after-burn evening in REMSA (emergency medical facility). NO FUN!

- Make friends everywhere, anywhere and at any time.  I made some really great connections on the playa, some that I carried with me out into the "default world"

- Be neighborly, always. 

- Take time by yourself on the playa.  It's good for you, good for your relationships with campmates and good for having a different experience.

- Seriously, drink water.  I'm saying this twice because it's that serious. Seriously.

- If it doesn't come from your body, don't put it in the potty (porta-potty that is!).  Also hovering is for wusses.

-  Go crazy, but you know, pace yourself :)

Resources: Home Depot (rebar, solar garden lights, sundry items for cleaning)

Target (some camping supplies, food, water)

R.E.I. or  Sports Basement (dyhydrated camping food - better than it sounds!, grills, tents, you name it)

Army Surplus Stores (GOGGLES! Hats!  Cool camping stuff you can't find elsewhere)

Hat Stores! (Hats, Hats, Hats in Berkeley)

Costume Stores! (Costumes on Haight in SF - pricey but they have tons of EL-wire)

Amazon.com (if you can't find what else you need here...it probably doesn't exist)

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Feb 11, 2011, 04:56PM PST | 0 comments | 10 cheers