Hi :)

[Mike D]

Well hello there!!

I'm Mike I have had a desire to go to Burning Man for a number or years but always been a little intimidated about it. I have done a ton of camping my whole life and have been going to various festivals for the past six years. I know it's not a requirement, but I have been waiting for group to go with to make sure I am as prepared as possible. Well this year a few good friends of mine popped the big question (and for the record I said yes)

I have found that with music festivals, the message board is a fantastic resource. Tons of info on any aspect of the event and a wonderful community to be a part of. As soon as I was invited I knew I wanted to find this place to start answering all my questions. A quick search online and I found it. So I started reading, researching, and getting to know the place Well, If I am going to spend this time on here, might as well go ahead and make an account. Well, now if I have an account, I guess I should use it!! So here I am

[Mike D]

I also also bought a ticket to Spark here in Nashville and am really excited to start meeting some folks and experiencing what this is all about

[BoyScoutGirl]

Welcome to the boards, Mike D. You're quite animated!

And your hunch was right - there is a ton of information to be had here - best to get reading

[AntiM]

Welcome.

Music festival? Oh yeah, I can't wait for you to drink it all in.

[Elorrum]

Camping at festivals has gotten you past some of the main worries many newcomers to Burning Man have: what is it like camping among a big crowd you don't know beforehand, and how do you know where to go? (Usually you drive in and look for an open spot and you know that's not too scary.) For some, even camping is a new deal, and they fret a lot about that too. So, you are well on your way. Basically you just need to add more necessities to your kit: shade, all your water, pack in pack out strategies for trash and gray water, and high wind and dust preparedness. The millions of ways to do this, plus inspiration for your own inventions are much discussed here. Keep on reading, and chime in when you feel like it.

I remember going to music festivals, hearing about Burning Man, and wondering: "So what is there to do at Burning Man, not having a fixed spot to sit most of the day and night and listen to bands?" HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

welcome, Mike.

[Mike D]

Oh I know this is on a whole 'nother level compared to what I have been to I think it was 2 summer's ago when I had my first chance to really talk with some folks that have been doing this year after year. My biggest question was what the heck do you do at a weeklong event that seems to have no schedule for anything I asked that in a variety of different ways and never got (what I thought at the time) was a good response. It seemed like this mystic wonderland that these folks loved, but didn't really want to share what it was all about. I am starting to realize more and more that they probably couldn't really explain it, it is a different experience for everyone that you make while you are there. I guess it one of those things that you can't really understand until you have done it and can't explain after you have

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[Elliot]

Mike D, you are catching on fast. BM can be thought of as a mindset, as much as anything else.
There actually are scheduled events -- countless small ones produced by camps and individuals. I always try to hit some of those -- and seldom make it since there is so much else to do.

Occasionally, I try to explain BM like this: It's a giant theme park, but when we arrive the place is completely vacant. We the Participants invent, build, bring, assemble and operate all the attractions -- for our own mutual benefit. Nobody just buys a ticket to come and observe, for then there would be nothing there but those spectators standing around looking at each other.

When I say "build an attraction", I don't mean that you necessarily fabricate a giant roller coaster (although that is cool). You might stroll around and sing to people. However you participate, you will be busy, and very happily so.

[forty_eight]

weeklong event that seems to have no schedule for anything

Have you ever been to an academic conference or other kind of convention at a big hotel with a bunch of speakers and breakout sessions on different topics, etc

There's something you get at the Gate called a "What, Where, When Guide" that looks just like a schedule from one of those conferences.

Well, not exactly ... it's a book full of events. Yes, a bound book with events and times, etc.

Not that anything will reliably happen at those exact times, but there is a schedule!

Enjoy your planning!