Totally psyched for BM2015

[Ozness]

Greetings fellow Burners!
My name is Vanessa and I'll be flying over from Melbourne, Aus to experience my first Burning Man this year. The original plan was for 6 of us to be going, but at this stage we only have 2 tickets at a vehicle pass, so it's looking like my cousin/best mate and I will be leaving our better halves on the other side of the fence and embarking on a girl's adventure!! (Of course, keeping all options open in case those other tickets come through....)
We were thinking of setting up our own camp and having an Australian disco for a couple of hours each day..... would that sort of thing go down well on the playa? I consciously want to make the most of Burning Man by taking part and volunteering to help others whenever possible, but also realise that we will have limitations based on the fact that we are flying internationally and will be limited by what we can organise and bring because of that.....
We will also likely be arriving on the Thursday after the event starts and staying until close, so not sure if that will limit us in terms of what we can offer, volunteer for etc. I have been reading non-stop through forums and other channels, and already ridiculously excited about what we will experience and the wonderful people we will meet! Look forward to seeing you all there!
V. x

[lucky420]

Hola and hello...

If this is your first time don't stress to much about bringing gifts etc. if you are up for it there is a volunteer board set up at playa info (?) that lists places where you can volunteer or I believe you can volunteer on the spot at lamplighters.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[Elliot]

Welcome, Vanessa!
First and foremost I suggest you make arrangements to arrive several days earlier, so you get to take in the entire Event. It is an eight day Festival, and I feel you would cheat yourself out of a major element of the thing by short-timing yourself.

[DrYes]

Welcome, Vanessa!
First and foremost I suggest you make arrangements to arrive several days earlier, so you get to take in the entire Event. It is an eight day Festival, and I feel you would cheat yourself out of a major element of the thing by short-timing yourself.

I second that, especially if you're coming all the way from Australia!

[mdmf007]

Even on a bike, you will never see it all. The event changes every day with new stuff popping up.

How many of us have gone home looked online or at someone else pictures and said "Where the hell was that?" when you see a 40 foot tall piece of art you missed?

Happens to me every year, travel safely, plan well and have fun.

[Savannah]

Welcome, Vanessa! An Australian disco would go down just fine.

However, as your time on the playa will be pretty limited, you might concentrate on setting up well, taking good care of yourself, and if you're still looking for volunteer opportunities, maybe a Lamplighters shift as lucky420 recommended . . . (volunteer daily at the inner road of Center Camp--they have a big sign, walk up volunteers every day some time after 4:00 . . . 4:30 or 4:45 I think).

[Ozness]

Thanks for your replies! I will take on the volunteer info and be sure to check out lamplighters when I get there.....
If I can convince my cousin to go for longer, I will- I certainly want to be there for the "full" experience. If we are lucky enough to secure the other tickets through STEP etc, then the convincing might be a little easier!! In another question- can anyone enlighten me on rough weather temps we can expect whilst on the playa? I read it can vary from freezing to very hot, but what are we talking in actual degrees as an estimate? From those who have been to previous burns- what are the approximate temps during day and night? If anything like where I live, we need to expect 4 seasons in a day, so I am used to fluctuations!

[Elliot]

Perhaps somebody has actual statistics, but off the top of my head... daytime high varies between 90 and 105, and nighttime lows between 50 and 30. FAHRENHEIT!

In Celsius... roughly 30 to 40, and 10 to 0.

Much variation, yes, and that is because of the high elevation -- almost 4,000 feet.

[Ozness]

Thanks Elliot! Great to know for wardrobe preparation!

[Zubeneschamali]

Second (or third) the advice for coming in earlier than Thursday if at all possible. If you're looking to play in the wading pool well, OK then you'll probably have a great time and leave with super intentions of coming back. But you know how life can throw you curveballs so maybe it happens, maybe not. Burning Man is about the high dive and a barrel of water. Take a chance and jump.

Also note - its not uncommon for Thursday to be a traffic nightmare. So it is possible that you spend some of your playa time in a car in a line not moving with the festival a couple miles away. Its been known to frustrate people.

Anyways, best wishes with your tickets and travels. You have a great attitude about it.

[AntiM]

Coming in earlier has a very concrete benefit: getting used to the elevation and environment. While it is not super-high, it can mess with some people for a day or two. It is also extremely dry. Getting acclimated (if needed) gives you more usable play time.

[Jovankat]

You have to come earlier. The 'Straya Day party is on Tuesday! It's a big BBQ/party with aussie music and food like Vegemite toast, fairy bread, Iced Vovos, Tim Tams, Anzac biscuits, BBQ Shapes. And Aussie beer and Bundy Rum of course. We'll even hopefully have a replica Hills Hoist to play Goon of Fortune

[danibel]

Fourth or Fifth for preaching an earlier arrival. My first year we arrived on Tuesday morning and ever since I have wanted to get an EA and watch the city get built. It just hasn't happened for me that way - so I stay until Tuesday after and watch the city vanish bit by bit.

Bring lightweight flowy clothes for daytime. Carry a layer in your backpack/bike basket. Some years a heavy fur coat was needed, other years I have barely worn one. Under layers are a great idea (think thermal underwear). Boots! And/or other good footwear is a must. Lots of socks! And don't forget a sun hat with a chin strap!

[ShadowCat]

My very best advice is for you to simply come and experience what you can. Forget volunteering and hosting and whatever else comes to mind. Burning Man is so massively HUGE that you cannot see it all - even if you're the first one to pull through the greeter's station and you run your bicycle wheels into bald little shreds. Wing it. Let inspiration and living in the moment reign supreme. You can volunteer next year.

[Zubeneschamali]

Quote "I realized last year that I'd see a lot more of the place if I wasn't exerting a shit ton of energy walking. With a bike this year I'll put in twice the amount of energy in getting weird as fuck".

From an International Virgin last year who spent the whole week. That pretty much sums up first year. Never get a chance to see everything you want to. Plan on making the following year better.

[remi]

Even on a bike, you will never see it all. The event changes every day with new stuff popping up.

How many of us have gone home looked online or at someone else pictures and said "Where the hell was that?" when you see a 40 foot tall piece of art you missed?

Happens to me every year, travel safely, plan well and have fun.

I always tell people.. if you don't go to the burn, you'll miss 100% of everything that happens there. If you do happen to go to the burn, you'll still miss 99% of the stuff that happens there.

[Savannah]

I would estimate that someone with a bike and great determination could participate in 25% of what the playa has to offer--in a full week.

So yeah--come early if you can. You will almost certainly not become bored, and there is a charm to the first few days on the playa that the last several days (which have more of a frenetic energy) has less of.

[crease]

How would one manage to participate in as much as possible then? or do you just need to accept that you're going to miss most of whats on offer?

[Elliot]

Yes. There are only so many hours in a day, and only eight days in a Burn. That's why we do it again every year!
But yes, I found it necessary to accept that I will never reach all of it. And such abundance is a good thing!

[Ozness]

I figure that's what is unique about BM and one of the reasons why everyone comes away from the same event with different experiences, and stories to tell for a lifetime, no doubt. I figure that participation is not to do with the amount of time that you have there, but how you choose to spend it, keeping an open and adventurous mind, and being able to jump in with both feet. That being said, obviously the more time the better!

[Savannah]

How would one manage to participate in as much as possible then? or do you just need to accept that you're going to miss most of whats on offer?

Most people [attempt to] accept that one won't see everything--but don't let it stop you from trying.

Make sure to get some sleep though, or you'll be completely fried.

[Drawingablank]

How would one manage to participate in as much as possible then? or do you just need to accept that you're going to miss most of whats on offer?

My first year I had a list of people from Eplaya I planned to visit and spent hours poring over the WWW plotting all the crap I wanted to do. I ended up visiting just one person and attending the Eplaya Meet and Greet.

These days I don't even open the WWW untill I get home. I find I enjoy my playa time most by just letting it unfold on its own and going with the flow.

[some seeing eye]

I always recommend costumes, though there are plenty of burners rocking camping clothes - whatever keeps your body at the right temperature for survival, layers for sure. But for participants flying in, there are a small number of costume camps. The Black Rock Boutique is in Center Camp, and they may know, ePlaya may know and the camp listings may lead to others. People the same size in your camp share too. Have an excellent adventure!

[Ozness]

I always recommend costumes, though there are plenty of burners rocking camping clothes - whatever keeps your body at the right temperature for survival, layers for sure. But for participants flying in, there are a small number of costume camps. The Black Rock Boutique is in Center Camp, and they may know, ePlaya may know and the camp listings may lead to others. People the same size in your camp share too. Have an excellent adventure!

Oh.... There will be outfits... Don't worry about that! I think my suitcase will be 3/4 full of burning man outfits, and 1/4 with some gear to wear for the rest of my US vacation. Whatever doesn't make it back from the playa will be just another excuse to buy a few new things!

[graidawg]

I always recommend costumes, though there are plenty of burners rocking camping clothes - whatever keeps your body at the right temperature for survival, layers for sure. But for participants flying in, there are a small number of costume camps. The Black Rock Boutique is in Center Camp, and they may know, ePlaya may know and the camp listings may lead to others. People the same size in your camp share too. Have an excellent adventure!

Oh.... There will be outfits... Don't worry about that! I think my suitcase will be 3/4 full of burning man outfits, and 1/4 with some gear to wear for the rest of my US vacation. Whatever doesn't make it back from the playa will be just another excuse to buy a few new things!

i wouldnt bother bringing "normal" clothes, you can buy them when you get there. Every year since my first i have filled my luggage with stuff like marmite, ginger cordial, bovril and malt whisky.
honestly costumes are great and all but dont bring anything you dont want broken/lost/ruined because it will get fucked up. buy socks in walmart or target - pants are optional (american or english)
You only get 1 first time as every body else has said, try your best to get on playa earlier. the beginning of the week is for me the best bit

[Ratty]

Ozness. If you showed up with NO costumes you could simply go to Kostume Kult, Black Rock Boutique or any other fashion camp and get decked out. There is no shortage of free costumes after you get there. Bring something for hot days, (cotton shorts and a matching bra, scarf and hat), and something for cold nights, (a coat, warm layers of thermal tops and pants).

[Savannah]

If you have room for only a few costume pieces that make you feel fabulous, let your coat be among them, because you will probably wear it almost every night. Something furry or funny or bright or lit up can be an excellent option. Ideally it will have a pocket or two, and certainly no easily fraying pieces or bling that will shed.

You can also wear your coat onto the plane and sit on it, freeing up a bit of space in your luggage.

Same for your boots, if you're a boot person.

[crease]

How would one manage to participate in as much as possible then? or do you just need to accept that you're going to miss most of whats on offer?

Most people [attempt to] accept that one won't see everything--but don't let it stop you from trying.

Make sure to get some sleep though, or you'll be completely fried.

Will definitely be factoring in the importance of rest! While this will hopefully be my first trip to the playa I have learnt the hard way over the years as I'm sure many others have on here about over doing it too early. All comes with experience though.

There are definitely a few on folk I will definitely be calling round to see; Elderberry, Lucky420 , Jovankat... Amongst many others.

[some seeing eye]

There are sun layers, sleep layers and out at BM night layers. Need all. Suggest bringing a backpack large enough to change between night layers you can keep with you on night adventures. If it can hold your costume layers, it can hold your out and about items. I have used a commercial knapsack with fur fabric pinned over it at minimal cost for the event.