Going from the burbs to inner circle...

[CptSparkles]

Heya beautiful people, here's a question. The camp I'm a member of got placement this year in dang close to inner circle. Holy crap 7-7:30 and A! But I've only ever camped out in the burbs of J/K area, which is fine by me, but my camp is stoked and is going to be a new experience for all of us. I'm doing my best to prep for the noise, but without going into the stories I've heard (I am trying to quell the more introverted private side of me that is bringing up negative stories and remain open), what should a group of suburbanites expect when moving to the inner city? Good or bad, would love hear some outside thoughts! Thanks!

[Captain Goddammit]

It's not really that much different. If at all possible, bring a couch! I used to have a camp on the Esplanade and in the evening we would sit on our couch and watch stuff go by.

[CptSparkles]

We're bringing playa benches, which I guess is close enough. Sofas a bit bulky, we don't have quite that much transportation space I bet.

[Madgirl]

I agree with Captain...it's louder, and there's lots more people passing by at all hours of the day, but otherwise it isn't really that much different. Plus, it usually means you're closer to wherever you might want to go, which is nice.

[CptSparkles]

People talking is what keeps me awake and what I'm trying to soundproof/dampen against in my structure. The wub wub of EDM puts me to sleep because it's constant, almost like white noise. I'll have to get some sleep as I've got a few volunteer commitments, good to be sane for that.

Aside from noise and more crowds, other things to prep for that go along with em?

[Madgirl]

Be prepared to pick up a lot of other people's moop. And bring your own TP/hand sanitizer, because the portos closer in tend to get a lot more use.

[caffeineslinger]

I've find there's a little less foot traffic on A and B then say C and D. I guess if you're that close to esplanade you just go there.

[pink]

We were on 7:00 & B last year and it wasn't too loud at all. A doesn't have any vehicle traffic and 7 had more trucks & service vehicles but less art cars than 7:30 does.

[Eric]

If you're more introverted, or more likely to need some place to go by yourself, see if you can get the heads of your camp to let you set up farther away from the street (but the closer you go to the back of your Esplanade neighbor is also going to get louder). I've camped at about 9:20 & A, and it actually wasn't too horribly loud, even right on A, so you might aim to get your camp-site along that axis.

Negative impacts: be more aware of your personal possessions in a high-traffic area like where you've been placed. Crimes of convenience still happen out there just like in any large city, and drunk bike "borrowing" is definitely more of a problem closer to the Esplanade. We've had people walk into our dome and try to help themselves to our private drinks, sunblock, etc - often without even saying "hello" to the people sitting there, and we've had (unlocked) bikes taken overnight after the Burn - I have no comment on the camp-mate who didn't lock it.

Keep anything valuable locked up/ away from the public/ interactive spaces of the camp. We've been lucky & it's only been minor things, but I've heard of things as large as generators getting stolen.

Remember the mantra: if you can't afford to lose it, don't bring it to Burning Man.

[Savannah]

For ultimate silence: silicone earplugs, not foam.

Note: they're large. If necessary, tear one earplug in half, to make two.

[CptSparkles]

MadGirl: Noted, trashbags. I figured the portas would be more crowded. Can't be as bad as where we were last year though (can it?)... 9 & J, man distrikt made a mess of the portos there...

caffeineslinger: A little less foot traffic isnt bad I guess, makes sense if everyone's going off to esplanade.

pink: I didn't know cars weren't allowed on A.... I assume only if you're getting to your camp? Car traffic never really bothered me, art car or otherwise. Even if they're 'loud', the music doesn't wake me. Someone talking next to me would.

Eric: I should be able to hopefully, but I'll have to impress that upon the camp mayor. I got put right on the street last time, I'm gonna have to veto that one We've got enough room that I should be able to get a back side or something. The crimes of convience are basically what I've heard of as the negative aspects; basically during the man burn people just walking through your camp and gifting themselves from your coolers, stuff like that. I always lock my bike with a cheap bike lock, so that should be okay. Noted with the genny (which is used for emergency only, have solar for everything else).

Thanks for the tips guys, and apologies for the delayed reply! Should be a good burn!

[lucky420]

For ultimate silence: silicone earplugs, not foam.

Note: they're large. If necessary, tear one earplug in half, to make two.

I have tiny ear holes too

[Token]

For ultimate silence: silicone earplugs, not foam.

Note: they're large. If necessary, tear one earplug in half, to make two.

I have tiny ear holes too

That comment worked magic with your sig line

[Ano]

I camped on A street one year, and had a very bad experience. Part of the problem can be chalked up to the camp I was with being questionably run for the first year (and only year I camped with them), but I had a ton of problems with everything and seek to never return higher than G street.

We were directly on a busy corner (7:30 and A), which definitely had a lot to do with it. 7:30 seems to be a very busy street in general, with a lot of busy camps right off of the street, and historically I think the gayborhood is almost always somewhere off of 7:30. We were on a corner of A street, right off the keyhole. My parents also decided to come this specific year, and due to the camping problems, haven't really thought to return since.

My complaints were as follows:

1. It's so fucking loud. I don't mind boom boom at Burning Man, and quite frankly, I embrace it. But there were camps on either side of us that were loud, and did a damn fine job of it, playing all night. It didn't help that they were playing music I did not personally enjoy. Multiple times, one of the camps threw sunrise parties. Fucking sunrise parties. Other than the loud music, it's just loud with foot traffic and people at nearly all hours.

2. It is very busy. I'm pretty extroverted, but sometimes I just want to sit naked on a chair and zone out for an hour or so to recharge... not the case here. We constantly had people engaging our camp, stopping by, and walking through our camp. I basically had to ride my bike out to the burbs with a chair to get some peace.

3. Later in the week, things will start mysteriously disappearing. Our cooler was raided more than once. I will, however, blame this one partially on the really shitty camp layout we had with no delineation of private space.

4. There appears to be no such thing as relaxation time. Constant traffic, constant noise, constant things going by.

5. I had to ride a few blocks in to the city to find porto-potties that weren't totally trashed.

On the bright side, there were some advantages -

1. I watched a few burns that year from my doorstep. Had a great view, ice cold beer close.

2. Getting back from a long night out was very easy. I didn't really need to think... which was useful in some states of mind. It was a little weird to basically have my tent right on the action.

3. People watching, when you're in the mood for it, is absolutely glorious.

Overall, when I weigh my personal desires, I find myself enjoying the burbs more. I also don't do the placed theme camp thing anymore, because I prefer a different style. I'm sure many people find many advantages to camping close, and I will admit many of my problems could have been mitigated with a better camp, better neighbors, and a better layout. It was a weird year, however, and my least favorite burn.

I kind of regret getting my parents to come the one year everything fell apart, but isn't that how this goes?

[CptSparkles]

I'd be fearful of an earplug that's too small in my ears actually, have seen them 'disappear' on people. Wouldn't be a fun trip to Rampart to say the least...

[CptSparkles]

We were directly on a busy corner (7:30 and A) <snip>

1. It's so fucking loud. I don't mind boom boom at Burning Man, and quite frankly, I embrace it. But there were camps on either side of us that were loud, and did a damn fine job of it, playing all night. It didn't help that they were playing music I did not personally enjoy. Multiple times, one of the camps threw sunrise parties. Fucking sunrise parties. Other than the loud music, it's just loud with foot traffic and people at nearly all hours.

This would be my biggest fear is crowds. But then if you were at the 7:30 and A keyhole, I can see that being a madzone. I think we're halfway between at 7:15 and A, but you never know. Maybe it'll be better, I can hope.

2. It is very busy. I'm pretty extroverted, but sometimes I just want to sit naked on a chair and zone out for an hour or so to recharge... not the case here. We constantly had people engaging our camp, stopping by, and walking through our camp. I basically had to ride my bike out to the burbs with a chair to get some peace.

Not an issue for me.

3. Later in the week, things will start mysteriously disappearing. Our cooler was raided more than once. I will, however, blame this one partially on the really shitty camp layout we had with no delineation of private space.

cough cough note to mayor...

5. I had to ride a few blocks in to the city to find porto-potties that weren't totally trashed.

Oh goody! About what I'd expect though. Doesn't bother me much really... Probably not as bad as distrikt though where you get hallucinating hoverers...

Either way, it sure is going to be a new experience!

[Ano]

Definitely will say, the mayor dropped the ball on many things. I was the earliest arriver due to being staff, and they told me I couldn't set up until a few days later when they arrived. They were over 24 hours late arriving, without much of the needed gear. It was a dangerous and shitty year, and to top it off, they were way too ballsy with open drug use which was not fun to be around.

I just learned that I really like tranquility. After a weird 2013, I spent nearly all of 2014 sitting in a char under shade in camp, and it was the best year ever.

[CptSparkles]

I just learned that I really like tranquility. After a weird 2013, I spent nearly all of 2014 sitting in a char under shade in camp, and it was the best year ever.

I'm still learning what I like Every year (of the 2 I've been) has been an interesting, unique experience for me. I'm sure this will be no different!

[GreyCoyote]

I just learned that I really like tranquility. After a weird 2013, I spent nearly all of 2014 sitting in a char under shade in camp, and it was the best year ever.

I'm still learning what I like Every year (of the 2 I've been) has been an interesting, unique experience for me. I'm sure this will be no different!

Much wisdom here!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with filling your glass, plopping your ass down on a chair, and watching the world go by. I have made more friends just sitting and offering water than I have doing laps in BRC.

Sitting quietly is NOT "not participating"!!!