What should a virgin do upon entry?

[Sarcophyton]

As in, which neighborhood to drive to? Is it so gridlocked that it's difficult to poke around, or is there plenty of time and room?

There's two of us, with our own tent etc, but I have no idea which direction to go in. Suggestions?

[Jackass]

Roll in the dust. Proceed to go ape shit. The rest is up to you.

[Sham]

Once you get in the gate, there is strangely no traffic whatsoever. Go left, go right---let the wind blow you to your destiny. You will find yourself camping next to new friends who will become lifelong friends. This is playa magic.

[mgb327]

Roll in the dust. Proceed to go ape shit. The rest is up to you.

Exactly.

[andy]

Welcome! It's never really gridlocked past greeters because greeters acts like a giant traffic light that only lets one car through per minute (and Gate is the same but with a longer delay), so no, there is no gridlock past it, just before Gate and maybe a tiny one at Greeters.

If you are not camping with a pre-placed camp, you are unlikely to find much close-in, especially if you arrive later in the week. Historically, I think the 3'oclock side of the city is less crowded, but I may have that wrong, so a future poster can correct me.

After the gates open, any land that is not already occupied is open to anyone. That doesn't mean any patch of dirt, as a camp generally gets a rectangular area assigned to them, or comes out and stakes out a rectangular area, but drive around the streets a little and as you see it getting more crowded pick a location. Remember that further in is ALWAYS more crowded, and closer to 6 o'clock is ALMOST ALWAYS more crowded. You must camp in the residential area (ie. along a street), you can't camp on the open playa.

If your chosen spot has neighbors you probably want to chat with them before unloading to make sure that it is not part of their camp, and just to make sure you will get along.

Enjoy!

Andy

[Sarcophyton]

Ok, cool. I get the general idea. Thanks!

[Eric]

You will also be given a map at Greeters (the second station you stop at off the highway), that map has shaded areas which are reserved for theme camps. While some space may open up in those areas, it's unlikely, so you're best to aim for an unshaded area on the map. There will be plenty of space, especially on the streets farthest back from Esplanade (ie: the streets closest to where you enter). Once your camp is set up & everything is staked down & secure, Go Wander!

[theCryptofishist]

Have a drink of water.

[Popeye]

You casn also look at the map here http://www.burningman.com/preparation/m ... _LTZFHod8M

[Savannah]

Where do I camp?
viewtopic.php?t=29356

The 9 o'clock side is a little noisier and flashier (the red light district) with oft-times harder-packed playa. The 3 o'clock is slightly quieter, but tends towards more surface ruts and drifts.

Between 9 and 10, and 2 and 3 on the clock, it can be particularly loud.

The outer streets are usually a little quieter. The inner streets are mostly taken (the purple theme camp areas on the map).
http://www.burningman.com/preparation/m ... index.html

Talk to your neighbors before you pound stakes.

The city will not run out of room.

[Bless]

playa angels

[Savannah]

playa angels

If you're not in a rental, anyway.

[trilobyte]

After greeters, head to the right. The city's population density on the 9 side has been higher in the last couple years, which means on the 3 side fewer cars means the ruts aren't as bad (drive slow), and the porta potties are better (fewer people using them). Find a spot, say hello to your neighbors, then get set up and go have fun!

[FossaFerox]

From my perspective, the city planners did a really good job of making the 3 o'clock side more interesting this year. While a lot of the flash and oontz are on the 9 side, my list of camps to visit is about evenly split this year (last year it was 90/10 in favor of the late side). Of course, my camp is on the late side, but we mostly favor the oontz. If you want a quieter neighborhood with cleaner portapotties I'd heed Trilo's advice and turn right when you come through the gate (just don't get too close to the 2 o'clock line as that will also be quite loud).

Once you get camped, if you want a fun day party on that side of town I highly recommend the Mystikal Misfits over at 4:30 and B. Their tree house setup this year looks amazing from the things I've seen popping up on Facebook and they're great people.

Finally, if at any time you get totally flustered and are at a loss for what to do during the week, check out camp Tissue and a Plan at 7:30 and B. They'll help you dry your eyes and point you towards an adventure. Good luck!

[Ano]

Find a camp site, resist the urge to run away, set up camp, unpack. Also, figure out where you are actually camped before you run off... or else you might spend a lot of time looking for your tent in a couple of hours.

[Dr. Pyro]

playa angels

As a follow up, I recommend doing them naked (we make all of our newbies in the caravan do it nude) so you don't track playa dust back into the car/van/RV. Essentially more info than Savannah posted, but the ends does in fact justify the means. And it gives the greeters a thrill.

[Joeln]

playa angels

As a follow up, I recommend doing them naked (we make all of our newbies in the caravan do it nude) so you don't track playa dust back into the car/van/RV. Essentially more info than Savannah posted, but the ends does in fact justify the means. And it gives the greeters a thrill.

Just what I want - alkali dust on my soft spots...

[some seeing eye]

Throw a sheet over the vehicle seat before getting back in the vehicle.