Travelling from the UK - Advice required.

Questions, answers, tips & tricks for newbies and veterans alike
Post Reply
Soames
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:02 pm
Location: South West England

Travelling from the UK - Advice required.

Post by Soames » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:36 pm

I'm thinking that this event looks to be worth travelling half way round the world for.

What advice can any UK Burners give to a BMvirgin travelling from England.

What's the best route? Tent or recreational vehicle? etc.etc. (I haven't even got a clue as to what I'm talking about.)

Any knowledge would be useful. I'm stepping into to unchartered territory here and whilst the idea of 'winging it' has a certain appeal, I suspect that a certain amount of pre-planning is in order, especially as my family requires me to return to the UK post event - preferably in an unscathed state, although personally, I'd consider that to be a mere bonus.

Soames

User avatar
Tiara
Posts: 376
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:07 pm
Location: Richmond CA
Contact:

Post by Tiara » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:57 pm

Soames,

I can't offer any advice on travel from the UK. But if you do want to rent an RV, you should start trying to reserve one now. Expect to pay over a thousand dollars for a weekly rental. And don't be surprised that a lot of companies won't rent to people taking them to Burning Man.

There are lots of threads on this board that cover the tent vs. RV debate. Happy reading.

I've camped in tents every year I've attended, and definitely don't think an RV is necessary.

User avatar
phil
Posts: 2936
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:10 pm
Location: Codgerville

Post by phil » Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:25 pm

Hi, Soames,

Read the BM site for information at http://www.burningman.com/ and see the links to "The Event." (First timers, preparation, and so on.) Drop by http://www.cieux.com/bm/bmtoc.html#perennialGuides and
http://www.cieux.com/bm/bmtoc.html#renoResources for information and link for first timers, second timers, what you need, and where to get it in Reno.

Drop an email to http://www.twincitysurplus.com/, and tell them you're flying in from the UK. They do lots of supplying to Burners from out of the country. It's not quite one-stop-shopping (you'll still need food and drink), but they can work with you to set you up for much of your needs, and you can drop it all off back there when you're going home, and they'll either clean it up and re-sell it or toss it for you - but they don't buy it back, as far as I know. Email them as soon as possible to find out if they can fit you out in your budget. They will have a Burner page up as the summer goes on with all sorts of specials.

For playa wear, see http://civex.smugmug.com/gallery/1262168. More photos of Burners at http://civex.smugmug.com/Other.

You _will_ have a ball whether you tent or RV. Louise and I have gone in a tent for 10 years, and this will be our 11th. Bring earplugs. :->

Drop us a line in August, and we'll give you directions to our camp - we'll give away clothes on Friday at 2:00 pm. See http://civex.smugmug.com/gallery/1089945 for photos of our given away clothes last year.

MrMullen
Posts: 315
Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:39 pm
Location: San Diego
Contact:

Post by MrMullen » Mon Jun 12, 2006 7:23 pm

You'll hear some good advice, so I will add my two cents to the whole thing:

First, find some Burners in the UK. Talk to them and get the feel of the event before you travel around the world to some place in the middle of nowhere. Best yet, see if you can meet them at the airport or what not. You can pool your in country travel expenses like a car and get out the event.

I think you should get a tent and forget about the RV. I think it is too costly and highly unlikely that you will get one this close to the event anywhere near Reno. Most RV rentals will not rent to people going to Burningman. It will become very clear when you get there why they do not.
You can goto Walmart or other like store and get outfitted for cheap. If you go bare basic you can do it for under $300 in gear. This is where traveling with other UK burners comes in handy, again. You can buy one crappy little stove and share it with your group.

Make sure you read the links above, and make sure to read all the documention on this site. There is a lot of good information to be found here and around the net. I think if you really start planning now, you can have a great time and not spend a ton of money.

Take pleanty of water, be open minded and make friends.
--
Mr Mullen

spectabillis
Posts: 3527
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:07 pm
Burning Since: 2022
Location: black rock city

Post by spectabillis » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:09 pm

dont try to drive.

User avatar
Ranger Genius
Posts: 2408
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 7:07 am
Location: Behind the Zion Curtain
Contact:

Post by Ranger Genius » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:33 pm

smartass. Maybe Soames has one of those beamers that can go under the sea. Like James Bond.
the dead milkmen wrote:1: Oh, I got a car now.
2: Oh wow, where'd you get it?
1: My parents drove it up from the bahamas.
2: Oh, wow, you're kidding!
1: I must be; the bahamas are islands. But that's not important. The important thing here is that you ask me what kind of car I got.
2: Oh...what kind of car did you get?
1: I got a.....BITCHIN' CAMARO!
“We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.”

ThePikey
Posts: 293
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:41 pm
Contact:

Post by ThePikey » Tue Jun 13, 2006 12:46 am

Sure, take a ferry to Ireland, and then Boston is just the next parish over...

Another resource to look into somewhere on these boards (I'm too lazy to look it up, but you can find it easy w. a quick search) is the Black Rock Burner Hostel. This dude can help hook you up with accomodations, shelter, and maybe even a lift to the playa if I remember rightly. Or at least help you arrange transport anyways. But a long-time fixture on the playa and highly regarded individual. (Ask Cryptofishist, she'll tell you all the details in glowing terms about Hageymon's operation)

SargentPepper
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:22 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Post by SargentPepper » Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:00 am

Soames, it is worth travelling half way round the world for!

I'm travelling from Edinburgh this year and staying with the hostel again. Have a wee look at the website.
www.blackrockburnerhostel.com
The hostel is growing and its almost a mini village with various camps within the hostel. I'm helping out with the Brit camp and if that sounds like your cup of tea drop me a PM.

Also there are the Euroburners www.euroburners.org with Nowhere the regional event in Spain kicking off in a few weeks.

Both sites are packed full of info from what to bring to useful contacts and what to leave at home!

Give me a shout if you need any help and I will try my best.

Sgt Pepper x
You're such a lovely audience...

Soames
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:02 pm
Location: South West England

Post by Soames » Tue Jun 13, 2006 12:44 pm

Thanks people.

Some fantastic stuff here. Oh my! I've got a really good feeling about this.

Post Reply

Return to “Q & A Tips and Tricks”