We go there because of the magic.  Where else can we vacation in a gifting economy,  Be forced to live art, or act out our dreams.

Think of Dante's Purgatory as the organizational theme of this section.

The Mind
If you take yourself to seriously and don't have a sense of humor Burning man is hell.  If you are armed or have an attitude you might not even make it past the greeters.   There are good reasons they make you leave your guns and high explosive home.  After the initial encounter with the greeters some Spectators turn tail, scalp their tickets at the gate, and head for Tahoe.

You experience a euphoria due to biochemical changes in the brain caused by high altitude, the desert environment, and dehydration.    You are so far out of your normal environment, between the self-selected beautiful loonies,  the gifting economy,  creative high participation demands,  that you should expect expansion  and contraction of Ego and your armoring.   You are free of the constant stream of media that lulls and drowns out your inner voice.    Don't make any rash life altering acts on the Playa. The little decisions you make on playa will hopefully alter you life latter.

That is why all marriages performed in Poly Domes Camp are valid only for the duration of the event and within the bounds of Black Rock City, NV.

Since this environment is so strange the normal lubricants of existing relationships may break down. Please  read the RELATIONSHIP SURVIVAL GUIDE so you can anticipate, avoid, or at least explain what happened.

The gifting economy also spins the mind for awhile.  The  Coffee Shop at Center Camp and The Ice House at Anartica are the only places that you  can spend money in Black Rock City.  You will find the folks who can't fathom the gifting economy spending most of their time at the Coffee Shop.

The gifting economy is not barter.

The gifting economy  most resembles  Dana (pronounced "dah-na") the Pali word meaning generosity. Since the beginning Buddhism, there has existed an interdependence between those who offer Gifts and those who receive them.   Teachings and  Healing are given freely, since they are considered priceless.   Dana is the free will gift of students to their teachers and healers so they can continue to teach and heal.

If you shower folks with free will gifts, art and love, and you will be  showered  with gifts, art, and love.

Once you hit camp, driving is forbidden. The only way to get around is by bike, foot, or art car. Walking can be a somatic mind altering activity.  I think the Art Car movement shows how warped the mind gets due to automobile withdrawal and could even be a form of armoring, or nostalgia for the media-coma.

It is not your imagination, there are a lot more specters and asholes on Thursday through Saturday punching their ticket so they can say they did Burningman.   Being an ashole is a symptom hyperthermia. These folks are not acclimatized and are using food and drink that work against the body, mind, and the desert.  Remember examine why the fool pushed your buttons.  The person who irritates you the most shows you where you  are most irritating.  On Sunday morning the place returns to mellow.

The Body

Survival
Heat, cold, and the sun are the greatest dangers at Burningman.
Heat Cramps -- abdominal cramps and muscle spasms
Heat Exhaustion --nausea, dizziness, headache, weakness, goose bumps, and cold, clammy skin
Heat Stroke {fatal} -- mental confusion or loss of consciousness with hot dry skin and no sweating
Hypothermia {fatal} -- shivering, slow or slurred speech, fumbliing or immobile fingers, stumbling, sleepiness and exhaustion.

The number one killer of outdoors sports is hypothermia.  Even at a warm 60-70 degrees,  wind chill, lack of sunshine, and most importantly, wet or damp clothing.  Treatment  replace all wet clothing with dry. Put on a hat and a warm coat. Wrap up in a blanket or sleeping bag.  Get into a warm, dry environment. Do not sleep until all signs of hypothermia are gone.   Give them warm drinks since dehydration is common, but  remember Caffeine or alcohol aggravate both Hypo and Hyper thermia.

DUST STORMS
If you  keep an eye upwind {AKA - Southwest}  you get 5 minutes worth of warning before the dust storm gets to you.   This gives you time to make new friends and head into shelter, or break into your dust storm kit.  A  minimal Dust storm kits include  -- goggles, dust masks or scarf.   If you are caught in the open you'll wish you had also packed long pants and a hooded cloak.  Find yourself the downwind side of something stable to hide behind.

SAFER SEX
In the magic land that is Burningman you can try many new and different things.  You'll be surprised how open you will be to trying new things.   Please review this guide to safer sex, bring supplies, and practice at home.

Medical Emergency
     1> Stay with the person and talk to them so they don't go shocky.
     2> Get someone to contact REMSA on the FRS Radio Channel 13. 
         No radio, have them find a ranger or someone  with a radio.
     3>  The camp is located at TIME / STREET.
     4>  Have someone go to the street and flag the REMSA unit into the camp.
     5>  Tell the EMT's the honest facts of the emergency. 
               Samples of the materials will be helpful.
     6>  Meet your friend at Center Camp REMSA station with their fresh clothes
             and their Hydration Pack or  water bottle.
     7>  Bring gifts for the life savers.

ACCLIMATIZATION

Most of us are from sea level and have been on the road for 12 hours traveling at  elevations 7-8000 feet on the passes.    Black Rock City is a mile high.   You will run on adrenaline for the first 12 hours, you hit the city then you drop.  Remember it takes about 2-3 days to acclimatize.
Being both desert and mile high means you need to rest 30 minutes for every 30 minutes you try to be active.  Rest in the shade, feel free to peel clothes, and gulp lots of water during the rest.

Naked Dancing on the Playa

At 5000 feet elevation the sun burning energy increases by about a third.  If you use SPF 30 at the beach you'll need at least SPF 45.  It takes 30 minutes for sunscreen to start working, so apply early before going into the sun.  The sun is most deadly between 10 AM and 4 PM, most folks nap or hang round doing nothing, wearing nothing in the shade.

When you travel naked you will need your still need your hydration pack {or water jug}, and your Porta-potty kit.  Remember social nudest also bring along a towel to sit on.

Hydration Pack 
My hydration pack contain 2 liters of water and 2 liters of junk.   The mouth piece is kept in a film can while still attached.  This keeps it from getting dusty {or falling into the piss pot like last year}.  The following junk can be found--porta kit {tissue, baby wipes, hand cleaner}, flash light, fresh Red Bag with condoms and gloves,  sunscreen, chapstick, camera, extra film, camp cards, small diary,  powerbars, dust scarf, mylar blankee, blinky light, and giftees.

The 3 liters packs are better because you can travel 2 more hours and carry even more junk.

Large brimmed hats and dark sunglasses are also a must.

Clothing
The key ideas are layering, loose, and natural fibers.  Tight weaves keep out the sun.   Light colors reflect it out.  Robe and sarong are perfect for everyone.

Costume
Costumes are a must for fantasy.  At the very minimum you  will need: a little black dress, a red outfit, fetish wear, a warm night raving costume, black light friendly dance clothes, and a white wedding dress.

All costumes must be playa, people, and porta-potti friendly.    This means that they can pass a shake test, won't poke anyone's eyes out or trip them, and  can be worn in the porta without picking up the contents.  Shedding costumes will drive you mad as you no trace the playa.  It is much more fun to watch folks eyes pop out with your costume then poking them  in the eye.

Food & Drink
Plan to drink at least a gallon or two of water per day on the playa.  It is not a bad idea to get into this water habbit two weeks before traveling to BRC.  You need a quart of additional water to offset each beer, wine, or cocktail.  Or you need friends who remembered to bring two IV bags for your use.

The mineral balance in  your blood gets off in this climate.  I pack a pound of dried bannana chips,  a pack of 50 sheets of Nori, daily dose of Miso soup, and vitamins. When the cramps come take more Calcium tablets.

Being a propector the motto  "Canned food is good Food"  rings true.
Since I can't cook what I am bringing ?
           10 -- 1/2 gallon can or jug of 100% juice
           10 --  cans of tuna in water
           20 --  flavored oatmeal packs
            2 -- jars peanutbutter {no refrig required after opening as per their 800 number}
            4 -- boxes of crackers  {bread goes to hell by day three}
            6 -- cans of condensed milk for coffee and tea
            2 -- pounds  jerky
         lots --  teabags
         lots --  retortable 1qt lattes or chai in the box {great playa gifts}
           12 -- canned black olives
           12 -- chick peas
          misc -- canned exotic luxury veggys
             8 -- spagetti sauce canned or plastic bottles  {playa company for dinner}
             6 -- pounds curly spagetti
               -- rice
             6 --  pounds of honey
                --  southern spice kit, cooking oil
              1 --  quart biodegrable dish soap
              1 --  quart bleach for wash water

In Your Shelter

Packing

Your Ride

Community

Gifts

Service

Returning to Media Land

Post Burningman  Depression
Yes you will be exhausted and depressed when you return to TV-Land.

Treatment
     Form a local Burn Community
     Last weekend of September camping trip
     Community service
     Create something damnit!