July. Can you feel it yet? I sure can. The excitement is building. Burning Man is nigh!

So, I was driving home recently and had an idea I wanted to share with you all.

Remember “welcome wagons”? Back in the day, if you were new to a neighborhood, greeters would bring you a personalized gift basket, answer your questions and share info about your new community.

Here’s what I thought was really interesting: Welcome Wagon’s founder was inspired by the real Conestoga wagons that brought fresh food and water to frontier settlers. Can you imagine how appreciative these tired pioneer families must have been, not only receive these kind offerings, but be met by friendly faces after their rough journey?  

I think you can see where I’m going with this.

Folks, let’s make this idea our own. As esteemed Black Rock citizens, let’s make time to greet our new playa neighbors when they arrive after their long journey. An unexpected gesture of goodwill goes a long way to make people feel connected and part of the greater community. There’s no need for a fancy basket, just offer a few warm and welcoming words (or a cold refreshing beverage!) when your new neighbors pull up to camp. If you’re feeling generous, give them a hand setting up their camp.. Being neighborly is the right thing to do, especially at Black Rock City.

A little kindness really does go a long, long way. On playa, it’s always time to be a good neighbor, to welcome the stranger, and to practice inclusiveness. Look, we’re all in this together. Let’s take time to look out for each other in this dusty jungle.

Plus, getting to know your neighbors --the people surrounding your camp--  is just smart, amirite?

Call me a hippie but I’ve been so touched each and every time someone has gone out of their way to be nice to me at Burning Man. Last year I was gifted lovely things by a young couple who wanted nothing more than to share their adventures with me. I’m inspired to make a real effort to pay it forward, on playa and in the default world. I hope you will do the same.

By the way, I was discussing this idea with some folks in the office and they reminded me of something I had forgotten. Parts of the Black Rock Desert were once used as a pioneer wagon trail. In fact, some of those historical ruts made from the wagons still remain in the playa AND there are still remnants of a REAL wagon. I’m not kidding!

From the beginning, I’ve wanted to help you make your desert experience more awesome. And since this is my second-to-last email to you, I want to be sure I’ve covered the really important pro tips.

So, I’ve made a list for you.

LOUDER! CHARLIE’S TOP FIVE PRO TIPS FOR HAVING AN AWESOME BURNING MAN

5. Read the Survival Guide thoroughly and really take it to heart (Papercuts are real, people!)

4. Embrace the #PlayaMade ethos,

3. Put your phone in airplane mode and be present (few things are more important than the thing right in front of you!)

2. Be the Black Rock citizen you want to see on the playa,

AND…

#1. Be kind to yourself, and others.

Let’s start with that being kind to you part.

Stay hydrated. Eat. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Get enough rest. Electrolytes! Simple.

Pack that Playa First Aid Kit. Yes.

Lock your vehicle’s doors and keep the windows up. Put your keys in one safe place and don’t move them. Check.

Keep your emotional well-being in check. Oh right, yes.

What I’m really trying to say is this...

Put on your “oxygen mask” first, before helping others. You can’t take care of anyone else until you’ve covered your own ass.

NOW you can be that “welcome wagon.”

Actually, the late great Kurt Vonnegut said it better than I ever could:  

“There's only one rule that I know of, babies - God damn it, you've got to be kind.”

Wait, there’s one more thing...

Yep, the trick for having an awesome Burning Man really does come down to NOT being a douche canoe.

I know, I know. You aren’t a douche canoe. This message is for everyone else. ;)

A reminder that I’ve archived all the emails I’ve sent to you. Here's the first one, the second one, the third one, and the fourth one. Share, rinse, lather, repeat.

Charlie “Louder!” Dolman

P.S. Next time is the last time, meaning my next email to you will be the last one before the event. ZOMG.

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Image credit: Douche Canoe photo by Eric Cachinero

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