The Wicker Man Has Cometh

CLANK!  That's the sound of the first of many stones to come that will begin to fill this bucket.

I decided that there would be no better way to start my traveler's bucket list than to kick it off with Burning Man!!  No this isn't some kind of STD nor do you need any cream to take care of some rash.  Burning man is week long event that happens once a year out west.  From August 25th to Sept 1st, a town appears out of thin air in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada; it is the festival to end all festivals and definitely sits at a high rank on my list.

What is Burning Man you may ask?  Essentially it is a gathering of people that come once a year, construct a city out of thin air to celebrate the energy of art, love and altruism, only to leave as if no one had ever been there to begin with.  Some think of it as just a giant art Woodstock with drugs, sex and debauchery.  Others say it's just a community gathering of like minded people who wish to unite for one week under the theme of harmony.  Some even look at it as just a crazy waste of space.  Who's right?  Well I wouldn't even try to tell you.  What can't be denied is that at the end of day, Burning Man is the epitome of self expression and truly something different for every individual that attends.

I've always wanted to go for atleast four years, but I'll tell you one thing... it's not that easy or cheap to get there.  First off, the tickets are a couple hundred bucks; so if you can pony up the dough than you're one step closer.  Just don't forget about the other costs.  For those who like to travel in herds, well flying over and renting a car may not be that bad of a deal.  Yea the plane flight may be pricey, but atleast the car and provisions can be split up pretty well.  For those like moi, who like to road trip, well set aside some cash for the gas and time to get there.  Even though I love road tripping, unless I'm able to go with atleast another person, 2,500 miles is a bit of a drive, but hey I said that about St. John's NL too.

Once you figure out how you plan on getting there, be ready for one rustic adventure.  Burning Man isn't a place where you stay in hotels by pools while you commiserate with other folks; it's a rough and tumble week of tents, porta-potties, minimalism and so on.  After speaking to folks who have gone and survived, I've been told that it's far from a resort paradise.  Folks have told me how they've had to cover their cars to prevent damage from sandstorms, burning their feet on tent anchors, to bringing flashlights and gallons of water.  I've heard so many possible wacky scenarios come from this event that some friends find me crazy for wanting to attend.  So the next logical question then would be, WHY THE HELL WOULD I EVEN WANT TO GO???

Ok first off, why would anyone who actually knows me bother with that question?  Don't ask why I wouldn't want to go, but more so, why would I?  I mean this event strikes at the core of any bohemian.  It is the utopia of self expression!!  For one whole week you get the opportunity to strip yourself of so much BS and become in tune with not only nature, but a mass of people who seek that same ounce of temporary escapism from the monotony of our constantly connected life.  You get to see art exhibits from people who have worked all year to show them off for just one week; think of it as the artistic equivalent of Rio's festivals!  No one is there to impress others, hell you even end up bartering amongst other visitors to survive the week.  To top it off the whole thing ends with the burning of a giant wicker man all in the name of artistic liberation!

To some this may look like a week of hell, being away from our daily comfortable grinds surrounded by strange faces, but to others it may lead to the gates of a heavenly world full of love, art and simplicity.  You will never know until you try it, and this crazy man right here has this week in his cross hairs.  I want to experience this communion of art with life, and to truly live among those who seek to share their love, passions and thirst for freedom if even for just one week.  Do you?  Only one way to find out.

If this whole event strikes some kind of chord inside of you and you want to find out more information, please feel free to visit Burning Man's official website, www.burningman.com for all your curiosities and questions.   Also, the pictures in the gallery are completely worth your time to look at, the one's in this post come from there.