First year on the Playa

Start here - tell us about yourself and what brings you to ePlaya.
Post Reply
User avatar
Horizons
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:52 pm
Burning Since: 2011
Camp Name: Temple of RA
Location: Santa Clara, CA

First year on the Playa

Post by Horizons » Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:12 pm

Hi everyone!!! This will be my first year going to Burning MAN!!! I've been wanting to go for years, the cards were just never right for me before. In 2007 extremely ill in the hospital I watched hours on end of the event through a live cam that was installed in center camp. I had wanted to go that year but obviously couldn't do to health. I promised myself that I would eventually go at some point. It took years to somewhat recover from bad health. Last year it coincided with more personal issues and was forced to stay away. I house sat for some friends who went; I tried to get them in touch with my brother (who was going for the first time) with his friends but I failed at that before they arrived at the gates. Then at decompression in San Francisco I went with my brother and his friends, while waiting in line my friends who I house sat for walked by unexpectedly (they live 5hours+ away) and we met. We all instantly found out that my friends who had made it late to Burning Man were unpacking and setting up there tents in the dark. My brother had walked over in the darkness (they happened to be neighbors at Burning Man) and lent them a lantern to set up right before taking off for the night. They didn't know each other then and in 50K+ people they met serendipitously.

This is the year I will finally be going. I got my ticket last week, but I already feel like I've been destined to go and participate. I participated in 2007 from a hospital bed watching people walk by and seeing videos of the Playa. At some point in the week I'll be walking over to center camp where if like past years there's a live cam Ill go and wave at the burners who just haven't been able to make it to Burning Man.....YET.

User avatar
Savannah
Moderator
Posts: 12808
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:33 pm
Burning Since: 2025

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by Savannah » Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:25 pm

Wait, which event are you going to again? :D

. . . I'm glad it's finally your year. I trust you've read yourself silly on the web site by now . . . First-timer's Guide, Survival Guide, etc?

User avatar
Horizons
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:52 pm
Burning Since: 2011
Camp Name: Temple of RA
Location: Santa Clara, CA

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by Horizons » Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:34 pm

Yup I read it all. I read it at least 3 full times in 2007 from my hospital bed and once a year since then. Ive been planing and preparing for years. Read everything again last night. I'm a bit too excited. I'm currently working on the bike. Looking for a nice one on CL to paint and weld a cup-holder to. My neighbor did say I could use his welding tools so ya. Mod time for sure. My brother and friends are helping me in that I have there support which makes my life easier.
I can't freaking wait but I do need the time to put everything in order first. :-)

User avatar
illy dilly
Posts: 4900
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:02 am
Burning Since: 2009
Camp Name: Gnome Dome
Location: Denver, CO

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by illy dilly » Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:48 pm

Welcome to Eplaya Horizons!

I love hearing stories from folk that yearned to make it to the playa for years, then finally get to go home!
I love it even more when they come back in September and talk about how great it was.

I'd tell ya to read eveything but it sounds like you have that covered.

Where do you figure you'll be camping?
Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

User avatar
Elderberry
Moderator
Posts: 14976
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:00 pm
Burning Since: 2007
Camp Name: Camp Kelly
Location: Palm Springs
Contact:

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by Elderberry » Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:12 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

Have questions? Read this first: http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/
Everybody on eplaya is always excited to help first timers; but in sympathy for some of us old timers, please get your required reading out of the way before posting. As hard as it is to rein in the the excitement and enthusiasm, and as unbelievable as it might seem, most of your questions have already been asked and answered, if you just take a moment to read.

Now, let the adventure begin!
Elderberry

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me

User avatar
Jax Dee
Posts: 295
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:56 pm
Burning Since: 2008
Location: Virginia

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by Jax Dee » Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:09 pm

That was me in 2008, finally getting to attend after years of yearning and planning. Hope your first burn is as amazing as mine was!

User avatar
Rabbette
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 4:46 am
Burning Since: 2011

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by Rabbette » Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:34 pm

Your enthusiasim has me getting more excited, big hugs. I wish u well and have a fantastic time at BM.
Smile, who cares if you don't have all your teeth.

User avatar
Horizons
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:52 pm
Burning Since: 2011
Camp Name: Temple of RA
Location: Santa Clara, CA

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by Horizons » Mon Jul 11, 2011 7:19 pm

Illy dilly,
I'll be camping with my brother and friends at the theme camp "temple of Ra". We have a decent size pyramid which I saw for the first time this past weekend in Monterey at a Burner event there. Helped set it up. Its pretty cool come check it out on the playa. We asked for official theme camp status but we haven't heard back yet on that. I'm excited this is gonna be awesome.

User avatar
illy dilly
Posts: 4900
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:02 am
Burning Since: 2009
Camp Name: Gnome Dome
Location: Denver, CO

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by illy dilly » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:29 am

Woo HOOO!!!!
I think I've seen it before!
If you get the chance we will be someplace on the 3 O'clock side.
We also asked for placement so we'll see.
We are "The Gnome Dome" big red dome with white spots like a toad stool.
Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

User avatar
Horizons
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:52 pm
Burning Since: 2011
Camp Name: Temple of RA
Location: Santa Clara, CA

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by Horizons » Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:32 pm

Illy dilly,
sounds great I'll have to stop by your camp when I'm dressed as the pothead smurf. Cuz smurfs and gnomes are second cousins right? :mrgreen:

User avatar
illy dilly
Posts: 4900
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:02 am
Burning Since: 2009
Camp Name: Gnome Dome
Location: Denver, CO

Re: First year on the Playa

Post by illy dilly » Wed Jul 13, 2011 4:20 pm

Horizons wrote:Illy dilly,
sounds great I'll have to stop by your camp when I'm dressed as the pothead smurf. Cuz smurfs and gnomes are second cousins right? :mrgreen:
Pretty sure,
If not at least the same Genus.
Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

Post Reply

Return to “The Greeter's Station”