The Burning Man Edition: Newbie Orientation Tips & Tricks

Just four months away from popping my Burning Man cherry! Can you tell I'm excited? Along with the excitement and anticipation for this experience, I must admit I was beginning to feel a bit of angst. Where will I be camping? How do I prepare? What is this "gifting" business? How am I going to lug clothing, food, a bike, and other necessities to get me through an entire week in the desert?! As fate would have it, just as I was mulling over these questions an email popped into my inbox from the Jack Rabbit Speaks: Burning Man's official Email Newsletter. This edition announced the Newbie Orientation and Participation Faire to "meet your fellow virgins and learn tips and tricks from veteran Burners!" What perfect timing!

As any newbie burner would do, I attended the orientation this past weekend. Not only did I get a lot of great hints and tricks--things you wouldn't even think about unless you're an experienced Burner, but I even received my very first Burning Man gift: A pink bracelet. It's pretty f*#^ing awesome isn't it? 

I'm sure ALL the other San Francisco newbie Burners attended this orientation. BUT if you happened to miss it, here's a summary of everything I learned!

Tickets

• Don't have a ticket? Don't worry! Plan like you have a ticket. A lot of tickets go on sale right before the event in July/August.
• Don't buy tickets through third-party (i.e., Craigslist). Instead, use the Secured Ticket Exchange Program (STEP), an online system that facilitates resale of already-purchased tickets. Helps you avoid scams and people trying to upsell. You have to register via your Burner Profile. 
• There will also be 1,000 tickets released at 12pm (noon) PDT July 31st. You need to pre-register by creating a Burner Profile to be eligible for these tickets.

City Layout

• You can think of Black Rock City as a clock with Center Camp located in the center by 06:00.
• The man is in the middle of the clock.
• The area between 10:00 and 02:00 is an open area for art and the Temple.
• The inner-most "street" is the "Esplanade" where you'll always find something going on! 
• From the Esplanade moving outwards the streets are named alphabetically from "A" to "L". 
• For more information on 2013's layout visit the Burning Man Survival Guide.

SURVIVAL

Elements

• It's dusty! You'll get dust in every nook and cranny. Be prepared to get dirty!
• It's windy! Prepare for up to 80mph winds. 
• It's high altitude--3,848 feet! It'll take you a day to adjust so try to take it easy on day 1.

Shelter

• RV: If you plan on renting an RV, do it soon. They sell out fast and prices increase exponentially. If you haven't already rented your RV, do it NOW.
• Tents:
• Do not use a tent with mesh. You'll have a dusty mess inside if you do.
• Secure your tent from high winds with rebars. Buy 5 or 6 rebars (~12-18 inches) from Home Depot and ask them to bend it for you. 
• Buy your rebars NOW! Home Depot will run out of them during the few weeks prior to Burning Man.
• Cover your rebars. One of the #1 injuries is from tripping and landing on uncovered rebars.
• Shade Cover: Depending on where you plan on camping, you'll need to build your own shade cover. It'll get hot and you'll appreciate it!
• Where to Camp: There are theme camps and open camping. 

Water

• Estimate ~1.5 gallons of water per person per day.
• Your body will need more than just plain water to stay healthy and hydrated. Bring electrolytes and have at least one packet a day.
• Bring more water than you think you'll need. Better to have extra water than trying to ration out water during your last few days.
• If you happen to run out of water ice is sold on the Playa for $3/bag. Leave the ice in the ice bag when using it to keep your cooler chilled. When it's melted, voila! You have fresh, cold water to drink. 
• Gray water disposal: You'll have to lug it back out or invest in an evaporation pump for your camp--a worthwhile investment vs. lugging all this nasty water out!

Food

• You'll eat less than you think so pack highly flavored salty foods that will provide you with necessary sustenance.
• Pack enough food to share, but not waste.
• Depending on what camp you stay at, there may be kitchens available for use.
• Bring a cooler. Ice can be purchased.
• Remove excess packaging on food before you get to Burning Man so you don't have to haul it out after.
• Leftover food and drink can be donated to the Burning Man Department of Public Works (DPW). They stay after to take down/clean the Playa and will appreciate your donations.
• There is a recycling program that takes cans from 9-5 daily.

Clothing

• Do not wear anything with feathers, sequins, or loose bits that will fall off and shed on the Playa. You will get dirty looks because everything brought onto the Playa has to be cleaned and removed after. Feathers and sequins are not fun to clean from the desert sand!
• Costumes are not a requirement. If you do want to costume up, check out thrift stores, the large sizes in kids section (for ladies), or ladies section (for men).
• Costume from the ankles up, but wear comfortable shoes. You'll be running around for the entire week. While stilettos might look cute, they aren't desert friendly! Neither are sandals.
• Layers will be your friend. It can get to 100°F during the day then drop to 30°F at night.
• Wear clothing that combines utility, comfort, and expression.
• Pack an Exodus outfit into a ziplock bag and DO NOT TOUCH IT! Leave it in your car. You'll appreciate having clean clothes when you leave.

Bikes

• Don't bring a good bike. There's a high probability your bike will get messed up or lost.
• Personalize your bike with decorations and lights. How else will you identify it among the 50,000 other bikes out there?
• Have a lock for your bike. Combination locks work best because you'll likely lose your keys unless you attach the keys onto your body at all times. Don't use "BURN" as your combination. 
• Get a bike with fat tires and bring spare tubes.
• There will be green community bikes for use. They're only for one-way use so don't depend on just using these bikes. And don't bring a green bike! People might mistake it for a community bike and "borrow" it.
• DO NOT leave your bike on the Playa after Burning Man. Take it with you. Upon exiting, there will be a place for you to donate your bike.

Personal Safety

• Buy LEDs from REI and light yourself front and back! There are no roads and minimal lights. You'll want all the other bikers and walkers to see you!
• Examine the "light signature" of your friends before you head out each night. Everyone will be lit and you'll want to be able to ID your friends in the sea of lights!
• Burning Man is equipped with basic medical services. They even have the capability to stitch you up if needed! If you end up with more severe injuries, you'll be transported to the local hospital.

Emotional Health

• Everyone will be experiencing HALT emotions (hungry, angry, lonely, tired) at some point due to the extreme conditions. Communication can become challenging. Keep that in mind.
• Remember to get rest, go into shade, and take your electrolytes!
• If you're on medications/vitamin supplements at home, keep taking them on the Playa. This is not the time or place to experiment with not taking them!

Day Pack

• When you leave your camp in the morning, it is likely you will not be coming back to your camp anytime soon. Keep a day pack with you!
• Pack these essentials into your day pack:
• Water
• Goggles - Military surplus goggles are recommended to block sun, wind, and dust
• Sunblock - spray cans in the highest SPF is recommended
• Reusable cups, plates, utensils -- many bars only serve you alcohol in your own cup
• Dust mask/bandana
• Snacks
• Chapstick with SPF
• Pen/Paper for leaving love notes!
• MOOP bag
• Headlamp
• ID if you plan on drinking

Personal Hygiene

• Bring baby wipes for "showers".
• Spray bottles (like insecticide bottles, though not filled with insecticide!) make for great "showers" when filled with water.
• Non-rinse shampoos and body washes will be your friend!

BURNING MAN PRINCIPLES/CULTURE

Leave No Trace

• The basic idea:  "leave the place you visit the same or better than you found it; leave no trace of your having been there".
• MOOP (Matter Out Of Place) includes wood/sawdust and cigarette butts.
• For cigarette smokers: Carry around an Altoid tin to keep your cigarette butts.
• DPW holds a daily MOOP pub crawl--it's actually kind of fun!
• You'll be responsible for line-sweeping your camp.

Participation

• Don't be just a spectator! Participate! Whether it's interacting with the interactive artwork or attending workshops / events: experience Burning Man!
• Want to get more involved? Plenty of opportunities to volunteer. You can pre-signup to volunteer or just visit the V-Spot in Center Camp while at Burning Man. If you love being artsy crafty like me, there are numerous craft parties over the summer to create Center Camp decorations! Here's the schedule: 
  

Etiquette

• It'll be loud. Bring ear plugs!
• Be respectful of people, art, and porta potties. 
• If someone says "don't take a picture", don't take it. 
• If artwork says "don't touch", don't touch it. 
• Porta potties will be used for an entire week and somebody has to clean it. Don't throw anything into the porta potties except your human waste and toilet paper! Would you want to be the person unclogging a pork chop from the porta potty?
• Ask permission before photographing individuals or entering someone's private space.

Say Yes To

• New friends and experiences 
• While being sensitive to your morals, health, and well-being
• And trying something outside of what you'd normally do. Push yourself and step out of your comfort zone!

Gifting

• Burning Man is NOT a commercial or trade/barter system.
• Gifting is common, but not required.
• Gifts do not have to be physical gifts. Oftentimes, non-physical gifts are the most meaningful (i.e., a hug, a love letter, etc.).

De-Commodification

• Cover all logos. If renting a U-Haul, cover the logo after you've parked. A great tip: Use Playa dust and water for great covering that is easily removable!
• No product sampling permitted.

Art

• There are both funded and unfunded art.
• During Burning Man, maps will be handed out and art tours will be available.
• Some art will be interactive--play with it, but don't break it.

Mutant Vehicles

• Mutant Vehicles are modified motorized vehicles that show little resemblance to their original form. These are the only vehicles allowed to drive on the Playa.
• Mutant Vehicles drive around with no particular destination or route.
• Rides are one-way since you don't know where the vehicle is headed. Hop on for a "choose your own adventure" experience!
• For safety reasons, only get on when it's NOT moving!

Law Enforcement

• Black Rock Rangers are not law enforcement. They are there to mediate and can call law enforcement if necessary.
• Law enforcement will be dressed up like participants and in art cars too--you won't be able to tell who they are.
• All Nevada laws apply on the Playa:
• Medical marijuana cards are not legal.
• Underage drinking and open container laws are in place. When you arrive, don't open that can of beer until you are parked!
• Cops will be wearing night vision goggles.
• If something smells fishy at your camp, it gives cops the right to search your entire camp.
• Do not obscure your license plate with your bike. This was one of the #1 reasons people got pulled over in 2013.
• Know your rights! 

TRAVEL

Before You Leave Home

• Be well-rested. It'll be a long trip.
• Secure and check your load on your car. 
• "Ticket On Forehead" policy: Before you take off, have everyone stick their ticket on their forehead to make sure nobody forgot their ticket! Sounds silly, but your entire car will be turned away if even one person doesn't have their ticket.
• Make sure your car is happy and not dripping! If your car is dripping you will need to bring something to catch it.

Travel Options

• RVs: Book them ASAP!
• Rideshare/Carpool: Search the database to carpool.
• Fly into Reno Airport.
• Burner Express - Buses will be available from Reno and San Francisco. There will be a luggage allowance so this option is best for people that have others transporting all the necessities for them.

Driving on Highway 447

• This is a 2-lane road on Native American Land. Speed limits are taken seriously and you will be pulled over for going 27mph on the 25mph road!
• Beware the suicidal jackrabbits! They'll run in front of your car, but don't swerve to avoid them and jeopardize your own safety. It's not worth it. Just hit them.
• Indian Tacos are delicious. Stop for some.
• Don't buy fireworks. They're not allowed on the Playa.

Arrival at the Gate

• Speed limit is 10mph. Obey it!
• Upon arriving at gate you will be asked to show ticket and your vehicle may be searched. Do not get out of car unless asked to do so.
• Stay in right-most lane for Will Call ticket pickup.
• After going through Gate you will pass by Greeters who will give you welcome hugs and event information! Stay in car and don't crack open a beer just yet!
• No early arrivals. You'll be placed in a waiting zone if you do and it will end up taking you longer to get in.

Exodus

• Listen to BMIR (Burning Man radio station) at 94.5 FM for updates on traffic.
• Stay well rested and sober.
• Secure and check load -- trash on the highway is not cool!
• Keep plenty of food and water in car.
• Change into clean clothes (remember the ones you packed away in a Ziplock bag?) at the last pulsing point.
• Have a DD just for exodus (it'll be long and exhausting), then switch to someone else to be DD post-exodus.

OTHER TIPS

• When applying sunblock, put it ALL OVER. Even under that skirt. Sun reflects off the sand!
• Take a picture of your name, email, and what camp you're staying at. Store this as the first picture on your phone or the screen lock picture. It'll help to track you down when your phone is found!
• Bring spare headlamps, batteries, and bike locks. You'll likely lose at least one.
• Attach anything you don't want to lose on yourself. Carabiners will be your friend!
• Bring watertight protective bags for cameras and electronic gear. Don't bring anything you aren't afraid to lose/get dusty.
• Mark your camp with something distinctive. You'll appreciate it when you stumble home late at night!
• Bring duct tape. You'll find some use for it!
• Make a copy of your ID and tape it to your reusable cup. Keep your actual ID at your camp. This way you won't lose your ID and will have it readily available when purchasing drinks!
• Last, but not least, do yourself a favor and sign up for the Jack Rabbit Speaks. It's a great way to keep on top of the latest Burning Man happenings!

The Jordan Edition - Beyond Petra: Rummaging through the Desert in Wadi Rum

The Treasury in Petra

Not many people have Jordan at the top of their "Must Visit" list of travel destinations. Those that do usually only have Jordan in their consideration set because of Petra--one of the New 7 Wonders of the World (also where Transformers was filmed)! While I absolutely loved my experience in Petra, I must admit that Wadi Rum actually topped Petra for me. 

Wadi Rum, known as The Valley of the Moon, is the largest, most beautiful valley in Jordan. The only inhabitants in the area are the several thousand villagers and Bedouins, the nomadic Arabs of the desert. Wadi Rum lacks any sort of real infrastructure aside from the Bedouin goat hair tents, leaving the area quite natural and untouched. With the beautiful landscape of sandstone mountains plus the extensive history, Wadi Rum should be a "Must Visit" on everyone's list of travel destinations! 

So how exactly do you get here and what can you do in Wadi Rum? First of all, you should definitely pre-book a tour with local guides prior to arrival. This will ensure you have the best itinerary during your stay. I highly recommend Bedouin Directions, currently ranked #2 on Trip Advisor. I organized a trip for 7 of us and contacted numerous local guides. From the get-go Mehedi, owner of Bedouin Directions, was welcoming and very responsive. We only had 1.5 days to spend in Wadi Rum and Mehedi was able to help us create an itinerary that included everything we wanted to do during that time. As you're working with your tour company on developing an itinerary, here are some things to consider.

How to Get Here
There are three options for getting to Wadi Rum: 1) Drive, 2) Bus, 3) Taxi. The number of people in your party, how much you're willing to spend, and the amount of flexibility you prefer will determine which mode of transportation you choose. In general, the roads are good and not too busy (aside from Amman, the most busy city of the country) making Jordan a relatively easy country to drive in. For flexibility to explore the country, renting a car is definitely the way to go. More details on timing and costs can be found on Bedouin Directions Page on Transportation. 

What to Do

Tour of the Desert

The main attraction is... well... the desert! There are amazing rock formations you can scramble and sand dunes galore for you to roll down. Best way to see the desert:

Four Wheel Drive

Least bumpy, but difficult to see everything/take photos from within the vehicle. We opted not to use this mode of transportation.

Open-Air Pickup Truck

A bit of a bumpy ride, but great for photo ops and seeing everything as you drive through the desert. Have a scarf to wrap around your nose/mouth--the ride gets dusty!

Camel

Lots of fun... for the first 30-40 minutes. Any more than that and the ride is no longer exciting. Plus your legs/butt start hurting--I speak from personal experience! 

Roll Down Sand Dunes
Sure... you'll get sand all over (even in your underwear) and you'll be finding sand in your ear for the next few days, but when will you ever get to roll down such massive sand dunes again?!

Climb and Scramble
There are so many amazing sand structures and boulders to climb and scramble on. Be a kid again and enjoy it!

Stay Overnight in a Bedouin Camp
Eating, drinking, and dancing with the local Bedouins, sleeping in Bedouin tents, and laying under a clear evening sky while star-gazing. What more could you ask for?

What to See
As you plan out your desert tour, be sure to include these highlights in your itinerary!

Lawrence Spring

Walk up through rocks and boulders to find the water plus a lovely fig tree to rest under. The view across the Wadi from here is legendary! 

View from Lawrence Spring

Khazali Canyon

This canyon is a deep fissure in the mountainside and contains many beautiful ancient rock inscriptions.   

Hiking Through Khazali Canyon

Red Sand Dunes
Where the white and red sand meet, this is a beautiful area where you can climb up the sand dune for a breathtaking view at the top. Coming down, you can run and frolick! Or if you're feeling adventurous, might I suggest rolling down it?

View from Atop Red Sand Dunes

House of Lawrence
As with a lot of ancient history, nobody is certain that this was Lawrence of Arabia's house. However, there are stories that say he both stayed and/or stored weapons in this Nabataean structure during the Great Arab Revolution. Regardless of what truly happened, this site offers a wonderful view. The house itself is a bunch of rubble, and unimpressive. 

House of Lawrence

Burdah Arch

The best known site is the Burdah Arch, a natural rock bridge set high up on the mountain approximately 20km from Rum Village and 300m high. Traversing up this mountain requires either climbing/roping or scrambling depending on the route chosen. The view from above is supposed to be magnificent. Since my time was limited, I could not fit in the 4-hours required to make it up and back down. I only got to see the Arch from afar. However, if you have the time and energy, I'd say to do it!  

Um Frouth Arch

A much smaller version of Burdah Arch, this natural rock bridge created by many years of water and wind is only 12-15m high. It is a fairly easy climb to the top for those that are not afraid of heights! The bridge itself is quite narrow.

On Top of the Um Frouth Arch

"The Chicken"
A unique 2 legged rock that travelers can scramble up. There is a wonderful view across the red desert to the white desert from here. This is also a great location to watch the sunset! 

Scrambling Up "The Chicken"

Additional Tips
Entrance Fee to Wadi Rum: 5JD per person payable at visitor center.

Parking: If you plan to rent a car, you will reach the visitor center first where you will need to buy your entrance ticket. Then you can drive to the Rum Village where there is a parking lot to leave your vehicle. 

Accommodations: You're staying in the desert so don't expect 5-star accommodations! The tents are quite comfortable with mattresses and plenty of warm blankets and there are cold showers to keep you clean. Meals are simple, but delicious. As an example, for dinner we were served Zarb (food cooked under the sand), which included chicken and potatoes. Breakfast was pita with some jams and fruit spreads. Lunch during our desert tour was a delicious seafood stew served with pita, hummus, and fruits. Not heavy and filling, but very tasty.

Zarb Dinner

Length of Stay: This ultimately depends on how much of the area you want to see and what you want to do. I would recommend a minimum of 2 full days. 

Extra Luggage: Bring only what you need into the desert. Your local guide should be able to securely store your extra luggage by the Rum Village.

Have Fun!! This is an amazing experience!