plyerHatersIntnl wrote:So i'm looking to come burn with all you fine folks this year. Ton's of questions! In fact the more reading I've done the more questions I have!
A bit about us: 2 folks coming from Seattle. Don't have tickets yet. We are looking at renting or purchasing an rv for the event. I am fine in a tent next to my truck, but she says we must have an RV or travel trailer. I am aware of costs associated with renting/buying an RV. I am also interested in volunteering and how I can but my skills to work for a day or two at the event. I am a general contractor and former marine mechanic, she is an attorney, investment manager, and cannabis producer. We would like to give back however possible. I don't believe it's cool to show up to an event like this to be a tourist. We intend on actively participating.
I think we pretty well have it covered regarding lodging and supplies. Food/water/beer/smokables ect. (the other half has a 100 acre cannabis farm here in WA).
Please note: Marijuana is still illegal on Federal Land, which the Burning Man site is (despite the rest of Nevada's stance) so no one can recommend that you bring any in to the event.
Just had to say that.
My questions seem to mainly be around camps and weather tickets are still available through STEP or other means.
- Are tickets easy to obtain even though we have missed the main sale?
Not
super easy, but easier if you meet local Burners. No one who ends up having to skip the event wants to sell to a stranger--it's not entirely safe, and it's certainly not friendly or cozy. People like to sell to friends, acquaintances, or at least someone less likely to grab the ticket from their hands and run. You yourself would probably prefer to BUY from someone who won't grab your money and bolt.
Meet locals and local camps. Attend Burner meet-ups!
http://regionals.burningman.org
There are always some folks who sell close to the event because of a new job, a new baby, family issues, etc. Book any vehicle you can cancel for free, get your time off, make your shopping and packing lists, and tell all your friends and family you're looking for tickets. Then, if or when something becomes available, you're ready.
Should we start a camp? Join a camp? Hang out and not worry about camps?
Don't worry about a camp--you don't need one to survive. My first 6 Burns were not with a theme camp, but with 1-2 others. It was lovely. We taught ourselves to build a monkey hut (easy) and a shower (harder; proper evaporation requires a lot of care). We did everything for ourselves, didn't have any work shifts to do or dues to pay, and we still met a ton of people & visited many camps.
Also, many camps require a fee, which is typically non-refundable even if you can't go, because they need to buy their infrastructure in the Spring. So getting a camp before getting tickets could cost you.
Even in July or August when most theme camps are closed, informal camps are coming together without dues, created by people who just want some company. That's often a nice way to go.
What is the difference between a camp and a village?
A village is larger, being a collection of smaller camps.
Should we start our own camp is there any type of bureaucratic process we need to go through?
You can call yourself anything you want, and BOOM--you're a camp. Make a sign! Host activities. However, you will need to apply for Placement formally online if you want to request reserved real estate.
When is the best time to show up? We want a good space but I would prefer not to wait 12 hours in line to get in. (she will likely fly in and meet me)
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Average wait time is 4-6 hours on the Sunday when gates open, as well as the Monday after it. There could conceivably be a lull on Monday in the wee hours, but who knows? . . . If you come in on Tuesday you'll miss the rush for the most part, but you've also missed the excitement of the early days. No one can really predict what date is best, as there are amazing hold-ups for many reasons. The first problem is getting 20,000+ vehicles into the desert on a 2 lane highway. That's insurmountable. But higher than average wait times can also be caused by car accidents, rainstorms (no traffic is allowed to move), condition alpha whiteouts, or--one memorable year--an Amber Alert for a missing 17 year old. That was a doozy. 7 hours to get out, I think. It was longer for others.
Thanks for your help forum peeps. I have done quite a bit of reading on the burningman.org site but they don't really make that stuff very clear (maybe this is deliberate?).
Cheers!
Yes and no. ePlaya covers most things the .Org website does not. Google any keyword you want with eplaya after it, and you will find out almost everything you need to know. Join the
Jack Rabbit Speaks newsletter for the rest.
One of the Burning Man Principles IS Radical Self-Reliance though, so part of the process is indeed learning as much as you can for yourself.
. . . I'VE SAID TOO MUCH.
Welcome!
