Hello Burners!

[Robert_K40]

Hello Burners!

My name is Robert and I’m a Burner virgin. I would like to come to Black Rock City this year and looking for a camp that can take in me and my bf. I work as a psychotherapist. I was thinking about volunteering in Black Rock City. Something about me: I live in Poland so whole idea of making this journey real, seems as far away as Poland is from Nevada but I’m ready to do it.

I heard about Burning Man last year and since then I can’t stop thinking about it. Day after day I feel more and more powerless about politics, government, society, covid, conspiracy theories and fake news. Everything about this place – Black Rock City is, as I understand it, everything that world right now is not. So I want to be part of this amazing community, I want to spend time around people who are willing to make all this sacrifice as anyone there, to have this experience. I want to give what I can. I think I understand costs and needs of getting there. But I need some help, especially I’m looking for people, for camp that I (and my bf) can be part of or just any tips about how to survive week in the desert.

If there are any people like me or experienced Burners that are willing to take us under their wings I would be so grateful for any massage. And I know that I have to depend on myself, I just need people that I can talk to or camp that I can be part of.

And as I’m someone who wants to be Burner, never been there, pls have some understanding
Have a happy new year

[some seeing eye]

Welcome to ePlaya and your future first burn!

Poland does not have a regional but there are several nearby to make a connection https://regionals.burningman.org/regionals/europe/.

First you are going to need tickets which are scarce. Sign up for the Jackrabbit Speaks newsletter.

Then you will need a packing list divided by what you can carry as luggage on the airplane, what you can parcel ship, and supplies you buy in the US.

If you have a flexible work schedule, many travelers to the burn take a car camping trip around the West before or after the burn.

Happy new year and happy first burn!

Quiet now, but https://www.faceb00k.com/Burning-Man-Po ... 101317963/

[Robert_K40]

Thank You for answer. I try contacting regional communities, there are few around

[some seeing eye]

Maybe you should start a Poland regional!

[Robert_K40]

I did and waiting for response... but their FB is inactive since 2017 or something like that... but other then Poland regional I still have Czech, Lithuanian, Latvian and Ukrainian

[Popeye]

Welcome!
Portland-BRC is driveable. Last time I made that trip it took about a day. If you fly you will probably want to take the bus in from Reno, I assume they will have it again this year. Check out a FB group called Hoverlandia, although it may be to early for much activity.
It sounds like you might be a little worried about acceptance. Don't be. It's the most accepting place on earth and you will make many new friends.
https://queerburners.com/go-to-burning-man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTldcZigHTw

[Robert_K40]

Thank You for links

My big concern is that I have very limited ways of contributing or taking part in preparations before Burning Man. I understand that it is important part of Burn and being a part of camp. But it is not easy when preparations take place on the other side of Atlantic, and there are no regional communities close to me. I have some work to do now, starting with contacting camps and see what it will bring.

And paradox is that on one hand I am worried about acceptance on the other acceptance is why I would like to be a part of Burn, as You say it's the most accepting place on earth.

[chiefdanfox]

What is most important to the Burner community is that you first take care of yourself, enjoy yourself and express yourself as you desire, without doing harm or being a burden to yourself or others.

Coming from Poland means you are likely to have to do all of your supply prep here, but not a problem, since Reno is the closest big city and well-stocked with literally everything you would need. You could show up with a credit card (or cash) and get everything, clothing, food, shelter (tent, etc). Your biggest hurdle would be transportation, since a lot of places do not want to rent a vehicle to someone headed out to the event. I am not suggesting you do that, I am just saying you could. There are as many ways to prep for the event as there are burners.

Clearly you should read, many times the survival guide, and while faceyspace has a lot of burners, this space is probably the best source for info. A lot of long-time, honest, no bullshit (well, you know...) people here.

Participation: It is not vital that you are there prior to the event to help with the City's backbone infrastructure.
Participation: There are literally unlimited ways you can participate. If you feel like you want to "give" to the event, then go find a project that has a lot of traffic, and collect trash, called "demooping" MOOP= Matter Out Of Place". People who have a project probably need that help more than anything else; on-event moop patrolling.

Keep the trash secure and pack it out of the event and dispose of it properly. You could stop along the road (safely, please) and pick up trash that has blown off of vehicles. Burners do a good job of demooping, by-and-large, but it often falls to the people who stay behind in the camps, and absolutely falls to the post event LNT teams. (You could volunteer for that if you plan on being around for awhile...)

You could help get ice for people who have a bar (particularly later in the week). Just find a busy bar and ask them if they need help/ice. Usually you will get takers. YMMV. You could demoop the bar area. Most of the time you don't need to ask to demoop, just do it.

You could help people who need help, like a broken bike, or they are out of water, in need of someone to talk to, etc.

You could offer to teach people how to speak some basic Polish. Why not? I always find saying, "it's delicious" in Bulgarian is a hoot. Particularly to Bulgarians.

A lot of people (me for sure) first go out there and see these amazing projects, these amazing people, this amazing event and wonder, "Why can't I be that cool/amazing/etc.?" "How do I get to do all this crazy and wonderful shit?"

Here is the secret: You already are, and you probably just haven't allowed yourself to meet that person who will let you do this amazing work, yet.

[Robert_K40]

Thank You for reply! Reading Your post makes me less worry

It is going to be expensive journey but it’s definitely worth it. I’ve read guides, watched YouTube clips about how to prepare but still it is something very abstract (and it will be until reading and messaging turn into real preparations like buying stuff or renting airbnb in Reno).

Thanks for all the ideas regarding participation. Actually I was thinking about collecting trash just to start with something. I think the biggest problem for me is that I don’t have real experience of being there so everything is in my mind and fantasies. When it will materialized it will be easier and all these ideas will start appearing to me naturally.

Thank You for kind words. Replies that I receive here already show me how amazing this community is.