24 photos show what Burning Man was really like in 2023 — and it wasn't the disaster the media made it out to be

Anneta KonstantinidesSep 9, 2023, 17:26 IST

My experience at Burning Man 2023 was magical — and nothing like you read in the headlines.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I went to Burning Man for the first time and it was one of the best weeks of my life.
Before the storm came, I witnessed many moments of playa magic — including a beautiful wedding.

I went to Burning Man for the first time and it was one of the best weeks of my life.

Me on day two of Burning Man, when the ground had yet to turn to mud.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

My journey began just as the sun rose after 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 27.

The entrance into Burning Man at sunrise.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The first day at camp was dedicated to building. We put up the Dome — our gift to the playa.

Our camp erecting the Dome.Chase Mitchell

My first days at Burning Man featured plenty of parties.

Dancing on top of DISTRIKT at Burning Man.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

At night the playa came alive with sets from DJs including Diplo, Gorgon City, and Vintage Culture.

Dancing at Playa Alchemist.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Life at Burning Man often felt like living in a video game — or a fairy tale.

The skyline by my camp at Burning Man.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I also worked two six-hour shifts for my camp during the beginning of the week.

I worked as a greeter for our dome.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

And watched two of my friends get married at sunset.

We circled our friends before they said "I do" at sunset.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

On the fifth day came my very first whiteout.

A whiteout on the playa.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

By Friday afternoon, the real weather had touched down.

Our campground turned into a pool of mud when the bad weather hit.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The mud helped our camp bond and rally together...

My muddy campgrounds.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

...although it definitely destroyed some of our shoes.

A pile of shoes at our RV.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

We quickly switched to the "socks and garbage bag" method.

No "trench foot" to be found here.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Our neighborhood continued the nightly dance parties.

A neighborhood dance party at Alborz.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

While the media made conditions sound catastrophic, the only part that was really rough were the porta-potties.

This wasn't ideal.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

By Monday, the mud had dried and the roads to the real world had re-opened.

Mud drying at Burning Man.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

While outlets reported a mass exodus and abandoned vehicles, many of us stayed behind to clean.

We spent hours picking up trash before we left.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

My RV decided to stay to watch the Man finally burn that night, which allowed me to capture one final sunset.

My last sunset at Burning Man 2023.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Before watching the Man burn, I visited Temple. It ended up being the hardest part of my entire experience.

Temple at Burning Man.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Just before the Man was lit on fire, we got the fireworks show of a lifetime.

The Man flanked by fireworks.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

And then the Man became engulfed in flames.

The Man burning on Monday evening.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The party raged on for many as the Man continued to burn.

The playa on Burn night.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I hopped on one last art car before it was time to head back to camp.

Me on top of an art car on the last night at Burning Man.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

My first Burning Man experience was unlike anything I expected — and I can't wait to go back again.

The mud didn't scare me away from Burning Man.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

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24 photos show what Burning Man was really like in 2023 &mdash; and it wasn't the disaster the media made it out to be