Tips for late arrivals

[dahen]

My friend and I (both first-timers) won't be able to show up until Friday afternoon this year.

What should be know about Logistics?
e.g. will we be stuck setting up camp on the outer fringes of the city?

What should we know about The Experience?
e.g. Will we be the only ones arriving that late or is it pretty common? Will we be looked down on for showing up late?

I've been doing plenty of reading on the website about BM in general; in this thread am just looking for any thoughts on only spending a few days, rather than the whole week, out in the desert.

[Janka]

If you behave, you will more likely be pitied than actually looked down, I'd say. Unfortunately you really do miss out a lot if you are not there to see the setup, and I'd guess that the loss is even greater for a first-timer. :(

It is unlikely you will find camp space anywhere very close to the esplanade at that point, but I would not personally worry about that. The city is not that huge, walking from the "fringes" to wherever you want to go is quite doable, and there's fun people at the fringes and assholes in the big camps as well as vice versa.

I have no clue about how common arriving later is, but it certainly happens.

[phil]

Hi, dahen,

I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that you'll have a _wonderful_ time -- the time of your life. Don't let any of the bad news weigh down on you.

For your first time, getting there late is not a bad thing, in my humble opinion. I advise first timers to get there Thursday afternoon to set up camp. If you haven't been before, staying a whole week can be a problem, since you have no idea what it's like. (I know you think you know, but you don't have a clue. :-> And that's a _good_ thing.)

The bad news is you'll be getting there when many of the arrivals are jerks who are coming late to get drunk, stoned, laid, and then leave Sunday morning right after the burn. People may assume you're one of the jerks. Feel free to explain _happily_ that this is your first burn, you're thrilled to be here, sorry you couldn't have come sooner, and ask for advice and help where to set up and _to_ set up.

You probably will set up in the outer reaches, but that's not a bad thing. Not at all being "stuck." Many people prefer it. If you try to crash in a group that's been together all week, who know each other, and trust each member of the group to know the expected behavior (leave no trace, polyamorous sex, quiet, loud, whatever), you may not be welcomed with open arms because they don't know if you'll fit in. Be gracious, ask for advice on where to camp, and head on to more welcoming arms.

Don't worry about knowing the experience. Don't worry about thoughts on spending a few days instead of a week. Don't worry about where you'll camp. (If you find it too noisy or too quiet, pull up stakes and move.)

You'll have a wonderful time. Louise and I are giving away clothes, although they may have been picked over by Saturday, but drop by our camp about 2:00 pm and see what we've got that's authentic playa wear for your friend and you. We'll be in Hushville, 4:30 and Ego, and we're The Civilized Explorer Camp -- we have a banner that says that. :-)

You'll be greeted at the gate by someone who'll say "Welcome home." And you will be. Welcome. And home.

[MMadeleine]

If you don't have your tickets yet, make sure you get them before you leave for the Playa. Ticket sales at the gate end at 11p.m. on Thurs Sept 1.

http://tickets.burningman.com/

Have a great time!

[HughMungus]

Don't worry about arriving late. Some things for you will be the same as if you'd arrived earlier and some will be different. You don't even have to tell people you just got there. Just enjoy what time you DO get to spend there. Think of it as a test run for next year. :D

[Badger]

Keep in mind that in years past ending up along the outer ring streets did keep you at a distance from the Esplenade where people seem to think eveything happens. With the placement change of theme camps and the areas extending further into the city being on the outer ring streets may not be such a bad deal. In fact, don't be surprised if you arrive and find that section of the city filled up more so than areas close to the Esplanade.

[headquarters]

Keep in mind that in years past ending up along the outer ring streets did keep you at a distance from the Esplenade where people seem to think eveything happens. With the placement change of theme camps and the areas extending further into the city being on the outer ring streets may not be such a bad deal. In fact, don't be surprised if you arrive and find that section of the city filled up more so than areas close to the Esplanade.

yeah i'm pretty interested to see how that new layout will be.

[nWo4life]

I have a related problem: I think I may have to leave on Friday night (I also might not be able to get there until Tuesday or Wed.) I'm also a first-timer and am really unclear about the logistics of getting in and out of BM. I looked all through the regular website but did not find much about getting there late and/or leaving early. How difficult is it to leave early in terms of logistics of getting to your car and getting on the road? More advice on arriving late from the logistics stand-point would also be very much appreciated.

[theCryptofishist]

Make sure that you have your ticket. I believe they stop selling them on Thursday (noon? Midnight? I don't remember). You will be able to leave when you have to, gate staff will be on duty when they are no longer taking tickets (i'm pretty damn sure.) Ask when you get in, they're gonna have better information than I do.