Anyone else going alone?

Kyte · Post by **Kyte** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 5:13 pm

Bizbabe, not too obvious to mention, it actually hadn't ocurred to me but I think it's a great idea to get involved with one of those places.

Sandman...good advice. I'm trying not to get freaked out by the whole idea, everytime I've been none of my preconcieved notions held up, so I think worrying about being by myself is probably a waste of time too...you never know what the trip is gonna be till you're on it, so I'll just cross my fingers and wait and see.

Kyte

Toque · Post by **Toque** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:16 pm

http://www.netquirks.com/solo
"... we will no longer be running the Solo Collective as a theme camp OR as a village. Instead, it will be treated like the giant network it has become--a place to find campmates, travel companions, and friends, but not in a single location at Burning Man."

Toque · Post by **Toque** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:21 pm

good advice about fiinding local groups. Another thread's discussing whether Burners feel comf. camping w/ peeps they don't know -- hence the suggestion "get to know who you'll be camping with" -- but that's for theme camps. Lots of people kinda DIY and make new friends etc, when it comes to community and theme camps anwway, which thankfully seems a permanent BRC vibe year in and year out.

http://regionals.burningman.com/
(find local Burners and join a camp/email list/etc.)

PetsUntilEaten · Post by **PetsUntilEaten** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 11:31 am

My opinion - most people would be ok going totally solo.

Problems might be:
• the people you camp with / next to might make you crazy
& having "back-up" helps
• sever weather is sever. two people can fix things easier than one.
• nice to have someone to check on you if you're sick, hurt, whatever.

You can / seem to already be finding people you like / trust.

I think two people are enough for me.

I make an instant village out of the couples & small groups around me - they are helpful, fun respectful - like them better than huge groups.

KC · Post by KC » Fri Jul 02, 2004 8:06 pm

Yeah, so - I am a local from Fernley, NV, a chick, and will be going alone for the 2nd time. No big!

I am planning at this point on camping in the lamplighter's camp, Tears - I remember you from last year. Anyway - y'all will all be just fine. Really. :]

Also, if you need info on ride sharing one Reno resource you can look into is the Black Rock Burner Hostel website:
http://www.blackrockburnerhostel.com/

-KC

KC · Post by KC » Fri Jul 02, 2004 8:13 pm

Yeah, so - I am a local from Fernley, NV, a chick, and will be going alone for the 2nd time. No big!

I am planning at this point on camping in the lamplighter's camp, Tears - I remember you from last year. Anyway - y'all will all be just fine. Really. :]

Also, if you need info on ride sharing one Reno resource you can look into is the Black Rock Burner Hostel website:
http://www.blackrockburnerhostel.com/

-KC

rev. lucifer · Post by **rev. lucifer** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 12:49 am

This will be my 5th year and it is looking like ill be going it alone. Would love to meet others who are on there own. I will be camping with Recycle camp or possibly Lamplighters. Take care and know that at BM you really are never alone,Burners look out for one another. But make sure that you come prepared for the worst but expect the best.

nocturnal_steve · Post by **nocturnal_steve** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 10:47 pm

I was conceived 7 months ago, by my ex-dead head hippie freak parents. I will be born 12:01 AM August 30th 2004. My folks plan on leaving me at the entrance to BRC in a shaded baby buggy with an two orange glowsticks attached to a bamboo antenna, lashed to front of the buggy. Under the buggy will be two cases of de-hydrated (powdered) baby formula . Attached by a rope, trailing the buggy will be a "Radio Flyer" red wagon with eight bottles of #45 sunblock and five bottles of aloe-vera to protect my soft skin. Behind that will be another "Radio Flyer" wagon with a 50 gallon food grade plastic drum filled with freash water. My parents reasoning is that I will be forced to live by my instincts and charm , innocent wits and smile, and that this will be a great "rite of passage", and by the end of the event I will be wise and worldly beyond my years. I want to have as pure and spontaneous of an experience as possible, so I am not asking that anyone make plans to meet up with me or invite me to their camp, only that if you see me on the playa you fill up another bottle for me and keep me out of direct sunlight. My parents ask that I be wheeled back to the entrance of the event on September 6.......

dougaldutch · Post by **dougaldutch** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 2:52 am

Another virgin reporting in, discovered BM and instantly knew I just had to get there by hook or by crook. Couldn't raise any takers among my immediate friends and thought "ah...well looks like I am doing this alone". Which was a very very good thing, but never having left the country on my tod before, more than a little daunting.

Started rooting around the eplaya and discovered the Black Rock Burner Hostel, run by the excellent Hageymon. Thats when I knew it would be possible. I became some sort of data sponge trying to soak up everything I could and never getting enough (side note: just got my Camelbak today, yipee something tangible thats sole purpose is to keep me alive in a desert half way around the world, yay!)

Time is my concern now, not my trepidation of taking my skinny cold climate ass, into the middle of a high altitude desert for a week, just hoping there will be some of me left to get the plane back home. If anyone else has to travel light and has some space or weight saving ideas, your input would be more than welcome. Have a big list of stuff and short of my bag turning into the tardis I will need to start trimming.

Damn its getting exciting, this is one adventure I know I will never be able to explain to anyone else except those that have experienced it.

Good luck with your preparations and may none of us forget the point, to have fun!

Dougaldutch

VerbenaMaya · Post by **VerbenaMaya** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 6:58 am

Hey Dougaldutch,

Passing along the obvious which I seemed to have missed when I was starting to plan how to pack & fly. Consider what things you can easily buy in Reno. There is appropriate shopping within walking distance of Hagey's BRBH. I am sure anyone with good business sense stocks like christmas for expected Burners coming through. You could also have some things shipped ahead of time. There are also some eplaya threads to check out on "what not to bring", and "minimalist lists" that are good. Divide your list into necessity (to stay alive & healthy) & for comfort items, and reanalzye. There are probably a few things you won't miss, things that won't matter anyway, and things the desert heat would melt in a matter of hours.
Btw,

My neighbors think I am silly cause I use my camelbak now when mowing the grass or doing any kind of yard work. Add some ice before the water, love it! I too feel time nipping at my heels, but doubt I would ever really feel ready even if I planned & packed for years. Good luck & See ya on the playa.

Maya

Lorgasm · Post by **Lorgasm** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 12:58 pm

Well,
the journey begins. Solo flight; take 1. Got the ticket for BM and airplane, got the rental. Mom's a bit concerned but she'll get over it. If she only understood that I have over 30,000 brothers and sisters waiting for me. If she only understood the love and happiness one experiences at BRC. I think next year I should take her and dad there as bit of an anniversary kind of thing. Naaaaah.

Much love,
Lorgasm

panda · Post by **panda** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 4:39 pm

Last year, my fourth time, I didn't know until I got picked up by my friend and his girlfriend that I would have no one to camp with (they wanted a girlfriend/boyfriend thing, which turned into an engagement week, which then turned into a wedding on Saturday, yay!). We arrived on playa at about 2am on Tuesday, and the first empty spot that could be found became my little camp.
I ended up hanging out with my neighbors all week, and had a better time than any other. Don't be scared to camp alone! I definitely would not have met quite as many totally cool people if I had not been alone. I still saw my friends a few times that week, but was able to broaden my horizens by not seeing them ALL the time and automatically getting sucked into a camp/friend vaccuum.
If you're a Virgin, just make sure you read the survival guide...and if you run into any problems, just ask your new friends/neighbors for help, 9.9 times out of 10 you'll find someone who can answer a question or lend you a flashlight/hammer/loaf of bread/piece of costume. I have met some of my best friends through Burning Man. Bringing people with you who you see on a day to day basis is awesome, but what better way to experience Burning Man than by sharing it with the new-to-you people around you?

mer993 · Post by **mer993** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 10:10 pm

Well said Panda....
I am going alone.. and it will be my first time.. I have no fears at all... I'm even vounteering at the Center Camp Cafe.
I would love to find a ride from SF Bay Area but if it all comes down to it I'll just fly in... and do the BRCH Ride Share.

dougaldutch · Post by **dougaldutch** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 8:34 am

Cheers VerbenaMaya, dividing my list into necessity and luxury items is a damn good idea, should be able to shed a few extra pounds that way. I need to keep stopping and telling myself that not everything has to be bought on this side of the Atlantic before I go.
My Camelbak is now a favourite fixture of mine at work, sits on the back of my chair and I only need to fill it once when I get in (good for the lazy person in all of us). Pretty funny looks are sent my way when I am filling up the bladder though, away to give the boss an enema or something.
Lorgasm there are some people I know here that also find it hard to understand the fact that IT IS OK TO BURN ALONE, its not like normal festivals. I just keep smiling and assure them I will be meeting friends

Dougaldutch

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 1:42 pm

Brilliant post, Panda! You've described my last four years better than I could have.

Check out walk-in camping. Lots of us solo types and we all get to know and look out for each other. Many of us keep coming back to the exact same spot, year after year. Some people equate walk-in with being in the boonies, but to me its Grand Central. Look for the canopy with 3' x 5' flags of many nations on the sides; c'mon over, introduce yourself and have a cold one... Yes, it's just that easy.

Anyone else going alone?

solo collective (rip?)

(more obvious shtuff worth knowin' ;P)

3rd time to burning man, 2nd time alone

3rd time to burning man, 2nd time alone

I'm intrigued and frightened...HELP !