NERVY first timer..help would be immensely appreciated

paulagraciela · Post by **paulagraciela** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:51 pm

Hey burners! I'll be skipping my first week of college to experience the sublime! i'm a bit nervous about it because i don't have a ride there and have no idea how to prepare...if anyone's got extra room, I'm more than willing to contribute gas $$ and positive vibes

I'll be going from Berkeley/Oakland

Major Krash · Post by **Major Krash** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:55 pm

Welcome to Eplaya!

...but despite having no idea how to prepare, you ARE going to look on the main site for the "survival guide", read it cover-to-cover several times, then be sure to have all the stuff you need to, well, survive....right?

...takes more than positive vibes to avoid being a statistic bound for the Reno Emergency Room...

maryanimal · Post by **maryanimal** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:11 pm

This is my first burn too. Go to the Main Burning Man page and read. read. READ!!! Do NOT go unprepared. It's all about radical self-reliance. No one is going to cover you ass. Do you have our camping equipment et al? I hope so!

By the way, nice to have you in eplaya! Also do a search in eplaya. Lot's of informaation!

http://www.burningman.com/

Post by **Elderberry** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:16 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:26 pm

oh look, twins!

Post by **Savannah** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:36 am

Hi Paulagraciela,

See the Survival Guide: 22 links, or 16 pages via text-only or PDF versions, which I recommend).
http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... index.html

Rideshare board (though right now it's still on 2010).
http://rideshare.burningman.com

See the "Regionals" link from the main burning man site to start meeting locals. It's a difficult time of year to join groups/camps but not impossible.

Or take Green Tortoise:
http://www.greentortoise.com/adventures ... tival.html

Good luck!

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:54 am

Welcome!

Yes read the survival guide! It can be an unforgiving place if you're not prepared for it, or even if you are.

paulagraciela · Post by **paulagraciela** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 12:12 am

Definitely not planning on going unprepared and have been reading up on the survival guide! thank you all so much!!!

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:20 am

WOW, Sounds like you have a lot to get done in 67/68 days!

Well, let me start by saying hello and welcome!

Do you have a ticket yet?
What is your plan to bring enough water?
Where do you plan to sleep and cook?
What do you plan to cook? Or are you going the boring old 'cold food out of a can' route?

Have you checked out the regional board for your area yet?

I'd start with those few questions. Then start worrying about how you're going to get there. There is no point going if you're going to be dehydrated and hungry the whole time!

paulagraciela · Post by **paulagraciela** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:39 pm

veryvery good point! i'm less worried about what i'll be consuming and living accommodations because I know how to be self reliant and how to prepare...I'm just worried on how to get there and fit all of that stuff in a hopefully friendly stranger's vehicle :o

Sic Pup · Post by **Sic Pup** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:29 pm

Just do your research and you'll do fine, don't and well it could get ugly. I started readng here on 8/10, bought my ticket on 8/11, left NY on 8/26 and although I camped with Orphans it went without a hitch in terms of self-sufficiency, in fact, I was able to help others out with excess.

This year I'm going solo and although I expect there may be some hiccups (got a flat in WY last year and had to load/unload my over-packed vehicle 7 times by the time I hit the playa) I know I'll do fine. In fact, I'm bringing along two art projects this go round (at least that's the plan if they fit).

Don't belittle the harsh environment and dont rely on anyone else to provide anything (other than the ride). I can't speak from experience on the ride/baggage but you're certainly not the first one with that issue. Following ePlaya's long tradition of chiming in on things one knows fuck-all about I would I would advise to hook it up in advance, reconfirm and have a plan B (but what the fuck do I know?)

jasonjoy · Post by **jasonjoy** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:40 pm

Hey paulagraciela - good to meet you! I'm new too - thinking about taking the plunge and heading out to the Playa this summer. Thanks everyone for the links - I'm reading up. Hope to see you all out there!