Newbies alone

MandaMoon · Post by **MandaMoon** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:50 pm

I've wanted to attend Burning Man for the last few years, and at last will. Planning started late, and my friends aren't interested, and thus I'll be a newbie unaffiliated with a theme camp and setting up by tent somewhere by myself.

Anyone else in this situation??? How are you planning to approach it? I assume that it's pretty easy to meet people after arrival...and there will certainly be plenty of interesting happenings to check out, but I'm nervous. Maybe I should have started a camp for others in this situation (the Potential Pariahs? The Strangers in a Strange Land? Next year, maybe...)

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:58 pm

You should be able to get by with a tent and some sort of shade structure. An EZ Up might be good if you're putting it up solo. Or simply a tarp attached to your car on one side and the group on the other. If you have enough shade to do things outside your tent, like get food or drinks, change or whatever, you should be fine. A camp chair or something to sit on would be nice.

Of course get to know your neighbors and perhaps pool resources. You can visit theme camps or Center Camp during the day for shade.

Be sure to tell someone back home when you plan to return and ask them to try and contact you if you don't return on time, and if necessary how to contact the Gerlach office, or local police. Having a AAA card can be useful for car troubles.

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 10:30 pm

MandaMoon wrote:I've wanted to attend Burning Man for the last few years, and at last will. Planning started late, and my friends aren't interested, and thus I'll be a newbie unaffiliated with a theme camp and setting up by tent somewhere by myself.

You're in the perfect situation to enjoy your first time, IMHO. You'll do what you want, when you want, and as long as you want to do it.

MandaMoon wrote:Anyone else in this situation??? How are you planning to approach it? I assume that it's pretty easy to meet people after arrival...and there will certainly be plenty of interesting happenings to check out, but I'm nervous. Maybe I should have started a camp for others in this situation (the Potential Pariahs? The Strangers in a Strange Land? Next year, maybe...)

Check out walk-in camping. You'll be welcomed upon arrival, or as soon as you introduce yourself anyways. Seriously. Lotsa solo types mixed in with all the other types out there... Young female solo travellers, old biker types, young familys with little kids, gays, staights,... I ended up there accidentally my first year, and I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. Trust your instincts.

redoils · Post by **redoils** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:01 am

Just follow the sun.
last year was my first and now finally realising that i can go again i'm left woth the organizing and all i can say is it's worth every second of the rest of your life.
Follow the Dust
Follow the Fun
There'smore than you'll ever know and you'll never be able to explain it.
Your freinds are waiting for you on the playa
Follow

Hotspur · Post by **Hotspur** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 3:40 pm

I'd encourage you to arrive early in the week if you're coming solo. Early in the week BRC has much more of a small-town vibe, and it'll be easier to find a group you like to be part of.

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 3:48 pm

I'd humbly (which is really rare for me) suggest you make all of Black Rock City the group you want to be a part of. At least for your first year. You can specialize next time. Keep your option open and ditto on the earlier-in-the-week stuff. IMHO.

Ozone · Post by **Ozone** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 3:55 pm

Consider volunteering, too. That's a great way to meet a group, and as soon as people figure out that you're not ultra-weird*, they'd likely love to love you. Baby.

http://www.burningman.com/participate/volunteer.html

*You better be on your weirdest behavior, but you know, not gun-toting, boobie-grabbing weird.

MandaMoon · Post by **MandaMoon** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 7:16 pm

Sincere and friendly answers on a bulletin board - already I feel welcomed. Thanks all, advice much appreciated. See you on the playa!

swampdog · Post by **swampdog** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:19 pm

I'm in the same stripe, mostly by choice. I'm a first timer, and none of my nearest and dearest can come (well, mostly they don't want to). I don't want to go on someone else's trip, which I'm afraid might happen if I glommed onto some strangers' camp or convinced someone I'm not really close to to go along. It feels like freedom at this point to be solo - we'll see how it really works out. I plan to volunteer (barista at center camp appeals to me) and otherwise keep it as simple as possible - taking our family camping gear, a cheap bike, and some odd bits of decoration.

I don't know how I'll react - whether I'll get spiritual, get wild, get naked, or all of the above.

Miranda · Post by **Miranda** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 5:55 pm

That's right Virgin Burner's!!! The Black Rock Boutique is gonna help you pop that playa cherry in style! Come on down to the B.R Boutique around 6pm on tuesday for a playa fashion make-over. We are dedicated to making this burn better than you ever thought it could be.

Xoxo- Miranda

Newbies alone

Newbies alone

Re: Newbies alone

Me too

We Are Throwing a Party Just 4 You!!!!