Post
by Ranger Genius » Fri Apr 23, 2004 11:43 am
Pinto:
It's odd to me that there is so much nudity at Burningman, and yet there is absolutely no pressure for anyone to join in. But people do--and many who are not even nudists. Some do it to expand their own comfort zones, some just because it sounds fun, some because they crave the attention, or any number of other reasons. You may find once you get out there that you want to disrobe, perhaps even briefly, and many people do, I think largely because they can. That's one of the best aspects of playa living--we get to explore which of our inhibitions are our own, and which spawn from the social moors that we have always taken for granted.
But I must offer this advice, as a year round Desert-Dweller: Getting undressed in order to cool off DOESN'T WORK. The hot sun striking your skin will drive you closer to heat stroke. If you're having serious trouble dealing with the heat, COVER UP, Especially your head and neck (Hence the popularity of straw or light material hats with 360 degree brims). Wear loose, flowing, natural fabrics. Think about what people in egypt and other very hot, desert countries wear. It's not out of modesty, it's practical (the modesty came later...another one of those social moors, no pun intended). Now, if you get undressed and get wet (water truck, what have you) the evaporation can cool you quickly; but don't think of nudity as a way of keeping cool. I don't want to see you in the medical tent.
“We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.”
