Shoes?? Long hair??

virgin · Post by **virgin** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:42 pm

shoes:
I know the alkline isn't so good on your feet. So do I want boots? Or would something like the ugly crocks be ok? Also, are there sharp things typically on the ground?
socks?
blistering common from sand?
how hot is the ground?

Hair:
Do rags, cornrolls, what??? I'm lost. Will just a ponytail of some sorts work?

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:52 pm

You'll want shoes or boots, and maybe sandals the hottest part of the day. Socks are your friend, lots of socks. I wear socks with my sandals. You do not want to go barefoot. Sure some folks do without problem, but better safe than sorry the first time out. And then there's the ooky factor in the potties.

The playa is flat and hard somewhat like pavement, covered with fine talcum-type dust. No sand. Sharp thigngs, there are a few rocks, but mostly, not unless someone dropped something. The ground gets hot, but not foot hopping asphalt hot.

The playa is very alkalai and can cause havoc with feet for some folks. Dry cracked heels, bleeding, yucky. A diluted water and vinegar wash daily helps.

Welcome aboard, keep asking questions and reading and rereading the survival guide.
Hair? Braids. Cornrows will let your scalp sunburn. Big ass shade hat highly recommended.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:55 pm

....some people (~20%) have no issues with the playa. Until you know for sure, I recommend caution.

Boots w/ 2 pair of socks (augmented by taping your feet as needed) is a solution. It makes it hard to dance, however, and those multiple Playa crossings get to be a bitch.

I now use sandles w/ wool insoles. Sandles alone allow moisture to build up under your feet, whcih attracts dust, which turns to mud (caustic). The insoles wick the moisture away, denying the dust a moist place to gather. The insoles can be turned over half way through the day to get more life out of them. Then they can be washed and air dried for re-use later. I now carry 3 pair of insoles to the Playa, and dance in sandles with no playa-foot. YMMV.

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:56 pm

Shoes: I went with just my normal boots. Comfy and kept the dust out. You don't want that dust on your feet drying them out and cracking them. ow No real sand, just dust.
Nothing really sharp around except un-capped rebar.
Just don't get new, un-broken-in, shoes for the event. You will be walking alot and a blister or two is really going to suck. Cuts and such heal much slower out there.

Hair: I have long hair (middle of back) and just put it in an un-braided ponytail. Just brush it out alot and condition the shit out of it when/if you get a shower.

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:06 pm

One of the most common injuries at burning man is to the foot from rebar and tent stakes. Stubbed toes to broken bones.

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:12 pm

I wear hiking boots and cotton sports socks when I'm out on Poop Patrol. I also bring flip-flops for the visits to the Temples of Excremeditation and prancing around my camp in the evening. Before I put on my socks for the day, I wash my feet w/ baby-wipes. Before I go to bed, I slather lotion on my feet. Do whatever you need to do to keep your feet safe & happy. I've had playa-foot and it takes MONTHS to heal. Just don't go there. Oh, and BTW, some people are so DAMN FUCKING STUPID to let glass break on the streets, so be careful of broken glass as well as uncovered rebar. Barefeet are just begging to be damaged.

As for long hair, my hair is past my butt. This will be my 8th Burn. Every morning, I braid it in one *tight* braid down my back. Every evening, I unbraid it before going to sleep. I try to wash my hair every 3-4 days, and let conditioner soak in while I wash the rest of my body, then rinse it out at the end. I then face the wind and comb it out, and tightly braid it again. I wear a sleeve from an old white t-shirt to cover my head. It keeps the flyaways out of my face, and keeps the top of my head covered. In addition I just love my prairie-girl bonnet. Tens of thousands of women crossing the Great Plains can't be wrong. A pattern for this is easily found in any costume section of the pattern books.

The one thing that has saved my ass on countless occasions is a kath-ee-ya (I don't know the actual spelling). It's 2.5 yards of unbleached muslin. It can be used as a dirt mask, an extra head covering on the most blistering times of the day, over the shoulders to protect the upper back and shoulders from burning THROUGH your t-shirt (yes, it can happen), or as a sarong. Generations have lived in the deep desert and done just fine with this handy article.

Desert Women

Desert women know
about survival.
Fierce heat and cold
have burned and thickened
our skin. Like cactus
we've learned to hoard,
to sprout deep roots,
to seem asleep, yet wake
at the scent of softness
in the air, to hide
pain and loss by silence,
no branches wail
or whisper our sad songs
safe behind our thorns.

Don't be deceived.
When we bloom, we stun.

"Desert Women" by Pat Mora

http://au.encarta.msn.com/media_4615627 ... thing.html
http://www.sewthankful.com/PrairieBonnetPattern.html

eigenstates · Post by **eigenstates** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:23 pm

braids. The largest possible. I do two on each side with cotton cloth interwoven. Easy to remove and detangle. I tried the multiple bo derek style and that not only hurt my sensitive head after 2 days but taking them out was a nightmare.

Remark · Post by **Remark** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:56 am

So you wanna try running around barefooted? Start preparing NOW!! start doing the lotion on your feet with socks at night thing. Take care of any rough, cracked, blistered, fungus areas before hitting the playa.

While there, wash and lotion. ANY cracks start while there, deals off - put on your damn shoes and socks. you wanna dance don't ya?

My opinion - The reason only 20% or so can go barefooted is that 80% of the people's feet start out wrecked.

virgin · Post by **virgin** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:32 am

Well thanks for all the info! I'll keep checking back for more.
I wouldn't dare go barefoot. I was asking about sharp objects because I may try out these new shoes that your toes slip into, but in between your toes is only cloth.
I think I have some pretty good ideas now.
Thank you!

AAAAAH I CAN'T WAIT!

and yes... I want to dance... ALOT! Tis why I'm concerned about the feet.

R1Z · Post by **R1Z** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:06 am

The one thing that has saved my ass on countless occasions is a kath-ee-ya (I don't know the actual spelling). It's 2.5 yards of unbleached muslin. It can be used as a dirt mask, an extra head covering on the most blistering times of the day, over the shoulders to protect the upper back and shoulders from burning THROUGH your t-shirt (yes, it can happen), or as a sarong. Generations have lived in the deep desert and done just fine with this handy article.

That's "Kefiya."

"The kefiya is the traditional head-dress of the Bedouin who came from the Arabian deserts. The Palestinians adopted the kefiya as a symbol of the courage and heroism of the people of the desert." --Hats of Jerusalem

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:42 am

Lemon juice is a fine, better smelling substitute for vinegar. It is a good idea to wash, rinse with some acid fluid (vinegar or lemonjuice) slather with moisterizer, then putting on your clean cotton socks. I just wear my Chuck's all week and have some minor blistering.

Guys -- be aware that offering the water/lemon juice/moisterizer/clean sock footwash is a great way to meet the hot raver babes. just look for whoever's limping.

virgin · Post by **virgin** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:24 pm

Guys -- be aware that offering the water/lemon juice/moisterizer/clean sock footwash is a great way to meet the hot raver babes. just look for whoever's limping.[/quote]

just pathetic....

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:43 pm

Umm.. I'm pretty sure he was just making a funny...

Post by **trilobyte** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:49 pm

One can only hope that's the case... I still wince when I hear negative stereotypes used (raver chick), and the idea somebody would use another person's injury as an angle to pick them up seems pretty rotten.

~Trilo~

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:00 pm

No it's true. I'm pathetic. You can look it up.

I also jump to conclusions, shit without looking and tisk-tisk disapprovingly. I'm working on my mother hen persona and waiting for an opening with the thought police.

Remember: anytime someone offers to do something nice for you, they have an ulterior motive.

Hoolie · Post by **Hoolie** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:08 pm

This year, I'm going with an old pair of slip-on Vans.

Benefits:

Covers your whole foot.
Canvas upper is cooler on your feet.
No laces mean easy on/off.

The third is the main reason why I'm going with the Vans. I seem to take my shoes off/on a lot to go inside tents, etc. Not having to deal with laces every time will be really nice.

Cabanasprings · Post by **Cabanasprings** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:36 pm

trilobyte wrote:One can only hope that's the case... I still wince when I hear negative stereotypes used (raver chick), and the idea somebody would use another person's injury as an angle to pick them up seems pretty rotten.

~Trilo~

That boy just needs to be bitch slapped.

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:53 pm

blyslv wrote:Remember: anytime someone offers to do something nice for you, they have an ulterior motive.

The most selfless acts are for the most selfish reasons. There is no such thing as a selfless action.

Cabanasprings · Post by **Cabanasprings** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:05 pm

Shoes?? Long hair??

I guess I wasn't paying proper attention to the title.

I thought this thread was about "Hoes with Long Hair!"

virgin · Post by **virgin** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:06 pm

so what about kung fu shoes then
$1
could get a few

http://www.sakuramartialarts.com/SearchResults.asp

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:24 pm

I think wearing large, poorly made luggage on one's feet is pathetic, but some might call it art.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:30 pm

trilobyte wrote:One can only hope that's the case... I still wince when I hear negative stereotypes used (raver chick), and the idea somebody would use another person's injury as an angle to pick them up seems pretty rotten.

~Trilo~

, Come on it's only nature. The lions pick off the injured. Cut down the time in the hot sun.

Evan · Post by **Evan** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:35 pm

I don't think anybody is going to care what the persons ulterior motive is as long as their easing their suffering with a nice lemon juice/vinger water foot bath.

I'll let some nice girl pick me up if shes got a bucket full of lemon water available.

virgin · Post by **virgin** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:11 pm

shoes? hair?.... anyone...

kung fu shoes... any experience with them?

**trying to ignore the "raver" lemonade showers.**

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:51 pm

The hair kind of dries out your hair. Some shave it, others wear hats, lots of people just have bad hair on the playa. Some people give shampoos.

Whatever footwear you decide to experiment with, I'd advise bringing a good pair of broken-in boots just in case.

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:05 am

blyslv wrote:No it's true. I'm pathetic. You can look it up.

I also jump to conclusions, shit without looking and tisk-tisk disapprovingly. I'm working on my mother hen persona and waiting for an opening with the thought police.

Remember: anytime someone offers to do something nice for you, they have an ulterior motive.

That's why I'm over here crushing you, bly.

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:07 am

unjonharley wrote:, Come on it's only nature. The lions pick off the injured. Cut down the time in the hot sun.

And you too, unjon.
Mwah.

hunter S · Post by **hunter S** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:56 am

You mention "ugly Crocks" thats a great shoe for the playa if you waer sox's with them! maybe ugly but damn comffeeeee! & dust washes right off, good in potty's & showers not the best thing for dancing.

virgin · Post by **virgin** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 3:29 pm

ya, it's the dancing thing really. I like the vans idea... wich brought me to the kung fu shoe idea. I don't freakin know.... maybe I'll just bring them all.

Davoid · Post by **Davoid** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:10 am

My playa shoes tend to be shoes that I'm done wearing normally, but are still mostly whole and, of course, broken in and comfy. Then I slap a coat of white primer on 'em, and paint 'em a fun color of my choosing. I don't think your shoes need to be airtight or anything, as long as you tend to your feet with proper washing/lubing daily.

Hair? Just let the stuff get nappy and dusty grey until you can't take it no more, and then give it your usual treatment. Crazy dusty hair by week's end seems to be a badge of honor for many, but whatever.

Shoes?? Long hair??

Shoes?? Long hair??

No pony tail