Whether this is your first trip to Burning Man or your millionth, let me ask you this: If you went to Paris, would you only spend your time visiting the major sites like the Eiffel Tower, or say, the Louvre, and then spend the rest of your time at your hotel?

No, that would be crazy. If you wanted to truly experience the city, you’d explore as much of it as time allowed, right? Maybe you’d seek out the city’s best croissants or wander around looking for who-knows-what, right?

It’s no different in Black Rock City.

Today, I want to open your eyes to the magic that can be found in the back streets of Black Rock City. There are unexpected and beautifully intimate, strange, and wonderful encounters to be discovered if you’re willing to get off the beaten path.

Dramatization

That one time at Burning Man

Sometime in 2007 -- well before I started working at Burning Man -- I found myself wandering the back of the back streets with a new playa friend.

We stopped, and were stopped, at an array of camps. We were serviced with potent whiskey, jolted with cattle prods (consensually!), dressed up as rabbits, ganged up on by small children, invited to join a group workshop that I can't speak about in public, and then invited to sit down to a fresh grilled steak dinner with an art dealer from Iran who shared his meal and red wine and stories of his journey in life.

That day was one of my finest experiences of the depth of our community and the diversity, creativity, and beauty it has to offer. While my time is now primarily occupied with official duties, I still try every year to spend time getting out to the back streets.

Why small is a big deal

Those stumbled-upon moments are just a few of the many “small” but big-hearted and grand experiences I’ve had on playa. There are many more to be found (and when I talk about exploring the back streets of Black Rock, I actually mean the back streets of Black Rock).

Ours is a city of participation. Intrepid desert adventurers from all around the world, like yourself, come to Burning Man and contribute fantastic gifts of all shapes and sizes. Burners bring so much magic -- so much creative energy -- to the playa. This magic can be found everywhere, not just at the bigger artworks, theme camps, and mutant vehicles.

Taking a quick look at this unofficial map of this year’s Black Rock City, I can see ALL kinds of amazing experiences waiting to be had within our city limits. For example, over at 6:15 and Iron Giant, there’s a new camp called Robot Repair and Tea Shop and they’re offering iced tea, tea ceremonies, and tea cocktails, as well as robot inspections and repairs.  

Also, check out the online WhatWhereWhen guide (you get a printed copy at the Gate). It lists playa events, everything from create-your-own spin art (3:00 and Elektro) to hot donut holes (2:45 & Dewey) to you-name-it (or you-bring-it). Plus you can customize your own guide with your favorite events and print it out at home before you get to BRC.

Honestly though, you don’t need a map or a guide. Just get out there and start looking, day or night. The best experiences are often the unexpected ones.

Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t see the big art. You should definitely see the big art! What I’m saying is that there is way more to Burning Man than the large-scale projects. Smaller and/or lower budget projects can be just as wonderful. In fact, many of today’s biggest theme camps and best-known artists started small.

(Hey, and if someone’s “small” playa contribution touched or inspired you, be sure to give them a “big” thanks!)

Oh, the places you’ll go!

All this talk about discovering the wonder of Burning Man reminds me of Oh, the Places You'll Go at Burning Man!, a video that went viral in 2011 of Burners reading that Dr. Seuss book. If you haven’t seen it, you really ought to.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

So, get out there and find the unexpected “small” because I know you’re not coming all this way just to see the “Eiffel Tower” and hang out in your “hotel.”

One last thing, would you do me a favor when you get back to the default world? Would you email me your stories of your “small” 2018 playa journeys? I’d love to hear them.

Thank you in advance!

Charlie “Louder!” Dolman

P.S. It’s almost time to head to the playa! I have just one more email for you before we’re off.

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