Birgin No MORE!

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:22 pm

Just got home to the Bay Area last night (Tuesday 9/7/10). It's 2pm, I'm still in my jammies, belly is full of bacon and eggs (left overs) and the van is still loaded with all our gear, buckets of black water, bags of garbage and and dust, dust, DUST!

I think I had a good time but I'm simply not sure what words to use to explain my experiences at my first Burning Man. I didn't get out to see nearly as much of the art as I hoped to see but my main goal was to survive the physical challenges of the Playa, which I DID MAGNIFICENTLY! Thanks especially to all of you amazingly generous, wise, and experienced folks here on ePlaya for helping me and so many other birgins through the planning phases. I was so prepared that no one I met would believe I was a first-timer. I also used almost everything I brought (except the extra clothes and hygiene items. I'll break it down into a better post after I've recovered some more. Right now I feel tired, and grateful.

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:37 pm

I hope my fellow former birgins will also post here. How are you recovering? What do you feel like? What worked/didn't work for you. What did you love, not-understand, wish you'd avoided etc? Let's process this incredible experience together.

LilBoosch · Post by **LilBoosch** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 12:10 pm

EmilyD, I was a Birgin this year as well. Logistically: I overpacked and will bring other things next time (more custom costumes, less regular clothes, less food). I loved the positive attitude and connectedness of everyone there. I came to the playa not really sure what was missing in my life, just knowing that something was "off" you know? The instant and deep connections I made with people on the playa blew me away. I feel closer to a few burners now than some siblings. Every day was different, amazing, and full of incredible memories that I can't adequately explain to those who haven't been to the playa. I had my playa moment at sunrise by the Temple on Thursday, and can honestly say the event was life changing for me. Deconstructing it, I know that everyone is on vacation, and you're cut off from the Matrix, as well as some of it has to do with self-selection of participants, but having a positive outlook on life by everyone around you has such an amazing impact. I do think Burners are a different breed. Anyway, glad you had such a great experience-spread the love.

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:38 pm

LilBoosch wrote:EmilyD, I was a Birgin this year as well. Logistically: I overpacked and will bring other things next time (more custom costumes, less regular clothes, less food). I loved the positive attitude and connectedness of everyone there. I came to the playa not really sure what was missing in my life, just knowing that something was "off" you know? The instant and deep connections I made with people on the playa blew me away. I feel closer to a few burners now than some siblings. Every day was different, amazing, and full of incredible memories that I can't adequately explain to those who haven't been to the playa. I had my playa moment at sunrise by the Temple on Thursday, and can honestly say the event was life changing for me. Deconstructing it, I know that everyone is on vacation, and you're cut off from the Matrix, as well as some of it has to do with self-selection of participants, but having a positive outlook on life by everyone around you has such an amazing impact. I do think Burners are a different breed. Anyway, glad you had such a great experience-spread the love.

Yeah I overpacked a bit but we could very well have needed some of that stuff if things went just a bit differently. We tossed in our rain suits at the last minute but then waited until Tuesday to enter so didn't need them at all.

Came home with a lot of food but used at least half of what we brought because our camp had a lot of flaky folks who didn't really prepare. I still love them and didn't mind feeding them here and there.

I didn't feel that going to Burning Man changed me that much but I think that's because I live a pretty bohemian life already. It felt like a new adventure to add to my many previous weird travels already taken. I'm glad it is a mind-expanding experience for so many people. The world certainly needs more free-thinkers and this festival breeds them.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:00 am

This was my 10th burn, and still I wound up in the med tent, for dehydration. I'm glad you liked your first burn! Just remember the lessons you learned! I haven't...BM 2010 was the best!

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:40 am

TomServo wrote:This was my 10th burn, and still I wound up in the med tent, for dehydration. I'm glad you liked your first burn! Just remember the lessons you learned! I haven't...BM 2010 was the best!

So sorry to hear you got dehydrated TomServo. I've had it before and it's quite unpleasant. I think those electrolytes we took really made a difference. I got such great advice here...several people swore by them...so I added it to my list.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:53 am

Keep taking them! Bringing pediolite next year!