VB from Boston

[PlayaFox]

Hello, everyone. I'm a 27 year old virgin burner from Boston (the suburbs, at least).

In the last year, I've had some pretty significant life-awakening moments. I've finally overcome a lot of major anxieties and hangups about myself and the way I relate to the world, and now am setting off to explore that world and humanity. I've been deeply intimidated by BM for years. Partly, it's the climate. I'm the palest of the pale New Englanders, and sun and heat are no friends of mine. I'd take a week of camping out in sub-zero temperatures any day of the week, but a week under the Nevada sun scares the hell out of me. However, I had been using that as an excuse to hide my real fear: that I didn't have anything to contribute to this community. Well, I've by and large ground those self-doubts into dust. Time to test my resolve in the dust of the playa.

I have no idea how I'm getting there with all my gear; my car has 210,000 miles on it, and I'm concerned about it breaking down on a 6,000 mile round trip. As of now, I have one companion, my best friend, but his enthusiasm seems to have wavered as time has passed. I kind of expect him to drop out of this journey well before it begins. I am close friends with a number of experienced burners who will be on the playa with their respective camps, but part of me feels I would find greater satisfaction going it alone or with one companion, and seeing where the wind drives me.

Thank you preemptively for what I'm sure will be a warm welcome, and I look forward to learning much from all of you.

[gaminwench]

Boston has a large, active burner community.
Find them, tap in.

They organize a shipping container from Boston to BRC and back, amongst other things.

Welcome!
(the dry heat of the playa is really not as bad as reports would have you believe. Yes, it's hot, but it ain't humid!)

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[Ratty]

Welcome playafox. These boards are full of info to set your heart at ease. It will be fun. That's an understatement. Read all the recommended info like survival guide etc... Start making lists. Ship your gear or drive it out. Car pool with others, well, first you have to go meet the 'others'. Search out the local burner community. Register for the ticket sale. Ask questions and we'll hug you later in person.

[Raoul]

Howdy, PlayaFox. Welcome to ePlaya! I'm a New Englander also, about 25-30 miles north of Boston. As Gaminwench noted, there is quite a robust group of Boston Burners. There is a meet-n-greet every Tuesday night in Cambridge. It's a bit of a trek from Salem, NH, so I have only made it down there a couple of times, but it was very well-attended. There is also an email list and a Facebook page, both of which are quite active with information about local happenings as well as planning for Burn.

[PlayaFox]

I actually work in Concord NH, so it's pretty tough for me to get to Kendall sq. I tried this week, but got stuck at work late :\

[Ratty]

Playafox on the one hand you have plenty of time. Six months. On the other hand, "HOLY SHIT! You mean I only have six months?" Every year time compresses as the event gets closer. Weeks only seem to have a few days and days are shrunken into a few usable hours. Don't put anything off. Start now and push it. I guarantee you won't be completely ready when it's time to go. We aren't.

P.S. Let us help you. This board has some of the most useful knowledge and advice available.

[Raoul]

I actually work in Concord NH

PM me if you want to connect for a beer sometime. Glad to answer any questions and pass along any tips for prepping for the event. If course, everyone here is more than happy to help out as well, but it's always nice to meet another Burner in person in the default world.

[Savannah]

Hello, everyone. I'm a 27 year old virgin burner from Boston (the suburbs, at least).

In the last year, I've had some pretty significant life-awakening moments. I've finally overcome a lot of major anxieties and hangups about myself and the way I relate to the world, and now am setting off to explore that world and humanity. I've been deeply intimidated by BM for years. Partly, it's the climate. I'm the palest of the pale New Englanders, and sun and heat are no friends of mine. I'd take a week of camping out in sub-zero temperatures any day of the week, but a week under the Nevada sun scares the hell out of me. However, I had been using that as an excuse to hide my real fear: that I didn't have anything to contribute to this community. Well, I've by and large ground those self-doubts into dust. Time to test my resolve in the dust of the playa.

I have no idea how I'm getting there with all my gear; my car has 210,000 miles on it, and I'm concerned about it breaking down on a 6,000 mile round trip. As of now, I have one companion, my best friend, but his enthusiasm seems to have wavered as time has passed. I kind of expect him to drop out of this journey well before it begins. I am close friends with a number of experienced burners who will be on the playa with their respective camps, but part of me feels I would find greater satisfaction going it alone or with one companion, and seeing where the wind drives me.

Thank you preemptively for what I'm sure will be a warm welcome, and I look forward to learning much from all of you.

Welcome, Playafox!

Camping with just 1-2 others can be lovely (you'll have neighbors no matter what) and if instinct is telling you to do so, it might indeed be the right approach for you.

Another instance in which your instinct is likely to serve you well: sensing that your best friend will drop out. This is very common in would-be first-timers, when the challenges, expense and time commitment become more noticeable. June is usually drop-out month.

I'm glad you already know some Burners--maybe you could leave your beleaguered car at home and split the cost of a rental with one of them, whether or not you camp directly with them.

If you travel alone, a sedan is adequate, but if you'll be a camp of 2, look into a pick-up truck or a 2-seater cargo van. (Water takes up a huge amount of space!)

[Drawingablank]

Welcome.