The Juice Box

Burning Man… I will never be the same!!!

by Matt Effect (Australia)

“Welcome home” is how you’re greeted upon arrival through the gates. “Home? My home is a giant dust field? I don’t think so!” I replied to myself. Being 4am and on the road for several hours didn’t exactly make me upbeat. Oh how the world had tainted my ability to actually open my mind to this concept of living in the middle of a desert without my technology.

I began to realize how wrong and negative my original private response was after the second gate. “Any virgins in the car?” we were asked by the man at the gate. Of course the answer was no, but in reference to being where we were, I admitted it was my first Burn.

Asked to step out of the car I felt as if I was back at school and being peer pressured into doing something I usually wouldn’t do to make myself seem more cool. It’s nice to be surprised, as what I was about to do would do me more good than I imagined.

The man at the gate seemed excited as he said to me “Now firstly, drop to the ground and get dirty”. Considering the occasion, it was time to open up my mind to this.

Diving face down, I landed in a pile of hard dirt covered in a thin layer of dust and did an upside down angel. Now being one with the land felt more real as this was only a small introduction into all the dust to come my way over the week ahead.

Handed then a metal bar by the man at the gate, he points to a bell saying “Last thing is to hit that bell and yell, “I’m no longer a virgin!”. It was as if I was to complete my initiation into a new life ahead. Hitting the bell as hard as my arm would swing that bell rang one loud and awakening ‘gong’ with me yelling at the top of my lungs.

Asked to return to the vehicle we continued into the playa. As we drew closer to the lights a lost land was to be discovered. Between artistry and culture this unknown lifestyle from repeated Burners was so free, unrestricted and non judgemental.

Freedom to be who you wanted was encouraged by where you are. Holding back wasn’t as option or a consideration. Dancing by people all around to the sounds of the playa seemed so natural to those around me as we walked into centre camp to find our fellow Burners.

We located our camp and got rested. Exploring was to wait as I’ve never been great with learning my barrings in darkness. The neon glow had disappeared to reveal an all new look among the land the next day. Tents, RVs and covered resting areas with tables and couches were set up all over in organized streets to show that this is not only a home to everyone there, but a city. A community of familiar beings who had left all cares in a place that did not belong here. You actually are home! You’re to find yourself at peace with one’s self.

Exploration time had arrived. Accompanied by Jay, we jumped on our bikes to ride into the playa. This other section was not filled with housing, but self-expression through art. Designs of all kinds from large metal pillars with tribal yet understandable carvings to adult sized jungle gyms and even arachnid like musical structures that seemed to have arisen from the earth. Mutant cars had been also getting people across the playa to their destination or a new place to discover.

From space this world would show a clock like pattern that illistrated homes and the art with main roads of 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock with all other times filling in between them all. Within the centre of this city, is the giant structure of The Man who shall be burnt to the ground at the end of it all. For one week, you had arrived home to yourself and to gift it to others. To say you are alive after being to Burning Man does not explain this new outlook on life that has been found.

For some self-expression isn’t so easy to be shown through art but more through gifting or dance. To gift is to give someone yourself in either a physical form or generous donation without the desire of a reward or being gifted in return. And of course to dance is fairly self-explanatory. Music fills the land in so many different ways. Freestyle music by acoustic guitarists or drummers, along with jazz bands, preloaded iPods and DJs spinning in clubs that are completely open to the sky.

Discovering one’s self seems like a concept that can take an entire lifetime to realize. But once in a world without hatred, sadness and being close-minded you find yourself learning more about your soul and how to share it to others and be at peace from any negativity that may hold you back.

Would I do anything different? Not at all! I would dive back into the dirt, be in dust storms, extreme heat and cold all over again to truly know who I am and what I want out of myself. Word of advice for first time Burners. You can never be too prepared and may find yourself bringing more than required… but what you will find will be these things we believe keep us alive are actually holding us back Don’t believe me? I wouldn’t have either over a week ago, but I’ve never been more happy to prove myself wrong! A new man has come out of the playa and he will be returning!

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Tags: Burning Man, Matt Effect