A first-time Burning Man reveler has recounted that while the festival has its wild side, revelers complained that its orgies were 'lame'.
Business Insider writer Zoe Bernard went to the eight-day arts and culture festival last month to write about how wild the event, that attracts 70,000 revelers, really is.
Bernard penned a piece for Business Insider about her time in the temporary city known as the playa, north of Reno, Nevada, with two friends. Before she arrived, she was under the impression the party would be 'like Woodstock with less shade' mixed with 'some weird sex stuff'.
But once there, one of her campmates complained that the 'Orgy Dome is so boring' and men and women were required to listen through a 'long lecture about consent'.
Zoe Bernard, a first-time reveler at Burning Man, recounted her wild experiences at the festival this year in a piece she wrote for Business Insider
Models Ludi Delfino and Abby Neff pose for photos in front of a burning piece of artwork at Burning Man in Reno, Nevada on August 30, 2018
Dani Dukes of New Mexico and Jenni Lucero of Seattle dance atop an RV trailer as the sun sets on Burning Man on August 31
While speaking of the kinky dome further, one of Bernard's campmates complained that they had 'to wait in line forever' and 'once you get in, it's the most organized sex you'll ever have in your life'.
Another reveler agreed - and chimed to add that the dome is a great place for a nap.
But outside the Orgy Dome, debauchery unfolded.
This included 'naked women wielding leather paddles implore bystanders to pull their pants down for a spanking' and 'couples bedecked in feathers and dust masks' as they prepared for their wild adventures.
Hundreds of Burning Man participants dressed up like bunnies march down the street as part of an annual 'chase' between bunnies and carrots
Dancers enjoy Burning Man beneath a sign cautioning them to stay focused on August 29
'Nudity is ubiquitous, and informally enforced in bizarre and ridiculous ways.
'Several ramshackle bars require women to bare their breasts if they wish to drink there.'
One man in the camp said he had to show his penis to get a snow cone.
Even more questionable, there was a 'small sampling of activities available [such as] fellatio contests, something advertised as "p---y massages"' and 'genital prints made in the "traditional Japanese method."'
There was such a thing as Slut Olympics and a Bubbles and Boobs VIP Party that was advertised, 'Bring your boobs!'
Women are shown at Burning Man the morning of August 29
The general view from a very dusty opening day at Burning Man on August 26
A scene at Burning Man 2018 shows a 'LOVE' sign in the Nevada desert
One workshop at the festival allowed revelers to learn to 'write erotic poetry in binary code (010101).'
Many meals consisted of chili with a side of MDMA, warm Modelo, sardines and pickles.
One campmate even said: 'I think I'm immune to drugs... I've taken so much LSD that it no longer has any effect on me.'
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A Burning Man participant rides past an art installation in the desert on August 30
Bernard recalled that the air reeked of weed and mothballs. 'Throbbing EDM music' blared at all hours.
Next to a spiritual foot wash booth, there was a sign that promoted abortions for free.
'Anything and everything you could imagine exists here... at the Healing Foot Wash down the road, you can wash your neighbor's feet and hear all about the love of your prospective savior Jesus Christ.
'Just blocks from the Healing Foot Wash, another camp's sign announces "Free Abortions!" with the words "No minors allowed!" scrawled in marker underneath.'
And just minutes down the road, toddlers played at Kindergarten Kamp.
Overall, Bernard said during her time in Black Rock City, she was 'welcomed home hundreds of times by strangers whose eyes are filled, almost uniformly, with the clear light of loving-kindness and acceptance.
It was like 'being at a family reunion after coming out of a coma except every member of your family is an extremely attractive yoga instructor,' she added.