Freaked out virgin

[DerbyDave 18]

Hi all, I'm David, 61 year old virgin burner. I'm incredibly excited about going but also wigging out some too. As of now I'm doing this solo so I have all sorts of questions. I know the experience will be amazing so I just want to get things clear in my head.

[TT120]

Welcome! You're going to have an amazing time. Just make sure you have everything you need for a week long camping trip.

[Ratty]

Welcome to eplaya David. Most of your questions have been answered here. (and visa versa) Use Google to search eplaya for answers then come to us to fill in the blanks. It will all become clear to you, (when you get there ), in good time.

[Savannah]

Welcome, David!

Wigging out a little is totally normal! Ratty's tip above (searching ePlaya via Google) is great; a la:

goggles eplaya
realistic non-cooler based menu eplaya
keeping the RV dust-free eplaya

Prepare to the teeth, you'll probably be fine.

[Eric]

Like Ratty said, most of your questions are an easy google search away. I suggest using the format below, which will only pull up answers from the ePlaya & will save you hours of wading through chaff:

site:http://eplaya.burningman.org(space)(search term-s)

ie:
site:http://eplaya.burningman.org "solo camping"
site:http://eplaya.burningman.org food
site:http://eplaya.burningman.org tents shade
etc.
Quotes around the word will bring up that specific search, without quotes it will look for all the words.

[Drawingablank]

Welcome.

[Molotov]

I participated in Burning Man my virgin year at 60 years old. There are lots of folks out there in our age group, so don't feel like you will be the "Old Kid On The Block". I do advise you get some wheels like a bike or trike to get around and see and do as may things as possible. I was on foot my first year and hiking from 3:30 and D to the Man, The Temple, and back was an adventure. But I survived and am better for it.

[Sham]

Hello Virgin Freak.
If you can't find answers you're looking for, feel free to PM me and I can assist you with some answers.
I'm sure that many of your questions may be the same for other first timers.
Welcome to eplaya and looking forward to seeing you in the dust in a few short

[Jovankat]

Welcome! Eric's instructions for searching ePlaya with the help of google are spot on. You will be amazed at the amounts of information and advice that can be dug up!

[Zubeneschamali]

Hi David,

We've had plenty of first timers join our camp, and best advice I can give is - bring everything you need to be happy. You are in control of your burn.

You have 80~ish days to figure it out. So welcome, come on in, grab a chair and begin your journey.

[Savannah]

I participated in Burning Man my virgin year at 60 years old. There are lots of folks out there in our age group, so don't feel like you will be the "Old Kid On The Block". I do advise you get some wheels like a bike or trike to get around and see and do as may things as possible. I was on foot my first year and hiking from 3:30 and D to the Man, The Temple, and back was an adventure. But I survived and am better for it.

And I remember DrawingaBlank recommending that anyone who hasn't been an avid cyclist for some time also prep for the amount of biking that one will do at the Burn.

A padded seat is also nice. Something as simple as a cheap furry toilet seat cover will work.

[some seeing eye]

Hey, you have surely done much more difficult things in your life - you will be fine!

There is a lot of detail of things to bring for your camping trip. You will do much better than many!

Make some in-person friends where you live now, maybe through ePlaya/Skype or in a camp if you join one.

Even though the event is intense in ways that cannot be anticipated and challenging psychologically there are 70,000 people there to support you and each other through challenges.

And: http://www.openculture.com/2014/09/81-y ... -nsfw.html
(Charlie Warner goes to Burning Man at age 81)

[dragonpilot]

Take staying hydrated very seriously...and pacing yourself. Don't try to see everything, factor in rest and sleep periods. Visit your camp neighbors...bring cookies to share. I was 62 my first year.

[AliCat903]

I think everybody freaks out a bit their first year. I spent most of the drive from SF to Gerlach think "wtf am I doing? this is a mistake, this is a mistake. wtf am I doing?" As soon as we hit Gerlach and traffic stopped and we got out of the car and started talking to people my brain was like, "oh, these people are awesome. This is a brilliant idea." It didn't hurt that the guys in the vehicle about four cars ahead of us got out of their car, started blasting Miley Cyrus while they put on sparkly dresses and then started a dance party.

Read all the things you can get your hands on is my best suggestion.

[caffeineslinger]

I'm kinda jealous David. I wish I could go for the first time again.

[Savannah]

I think everybody freaks out a bit their first year. I spent most of the drive from SF to Gerlach think "wtf am I doing? this is a mistake, this is a mistake. wtf am I doing?" As soon as we hit Gerlach and traffic stopped and we got out of the car and started talking to people my brain was like, "oh, these people are awesome. This is a brilliant idea." It didn't hurt that the guys in the vehicle about four cars ahead of us got out of their car, started blasting Miley Cyrus while they put on sparkly dresses and then started a dance party.

I hope they were dancing to "Party in the U.S.A."

(It's not a favorite, but a bunch of men dancing to it in sparkly dresses could really redeem the @#$% out of it).