first time burn

delta9 · Post by **delta9** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:30 pm

hello all! I hope to experience my first burn this year. I have heard a lot about burning man although I don't know what is fact and what is fiction. I have been checking out burningman.com and that has answered some of my questions. I'm not sure where to begin here as far as questions go. Does anyone drive from the eastcoast? We plan on renting a car and camping in tents along the way. When we arrive at the festival thats where everything becomes a bit blurry; I'm not sure what will happen next. Still I'm very excited, and hope I am able to go and that my friends will go. :D

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:17 pm

The East Coast is close for some people. There are tons of people from other countries. Yes, it's a long drive, but well worth it.

As far as things you're expecting, I do not think that you can really ever know what's coming until you've been. As a lot of people say, it is what you make of it. Besides the things listed that you need to bring, I'd bring an open mind, things that are YOU (not that are just mass produced at some factory), and make of it what you will. Whatever you like doing, do that and you'll have a good time.

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:00 pm

Delta 9 -

What will hppen next?

What wont happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! getting giddy thinking about 2007
later all.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:00 am

I went for the first time in 2006. I mostly enjoyed the event, although being sick the whole time was a definite negative! (Sinus infection and bronchitis [sp?]) Being healthy would be a definite plus out in the desert.

Anyway, I spent about half the time lying around center camp watching people on the stage, which can be fun if you are low on energy. There is a lot going on, bringing a bicycle is something I recommend (although others say you get to see more walking-- then again, if you find you prefer walking, you can leave the bicycle [locked] in camp).

Things I enjoyed: The Alternative Energy Zone walking tour (I like alternative energy, if you don't have any interest, you might not find it as fun),

The ePlaya Meet and Greet at the Barbie Death Camp and Wine Bistro,

ePlaya Bar Camp (although it lacks nearby bathroom facilities!)

Visting various art out on the playa,

Lying around Center Camp,

other stuff I am probably forgetting since I am only half awake (couldn't sleep so decided to play on the computer....)

I'd probably have gotten more into the party aspect of the event if my health had been better. Right now I am gearing up to try to improve my health so next time I get to go I hopefully won't be running out of energy constantly. (For the near future it will take another minor miracle for me to squeeze it into my schedule-- being second to the bottom in senority does that, I guess-- but getting into better health is a good idea in general, so I might as well start in 2007....)

Oh, and if at all possible, test out your shade structure and camping equipment before you hit the desert! I wasn't able to and had some nasty surprises! Thankfully, and with some help from others, I was able to overcome (most) of the troubles. Still, it would have been better not to have needed to improvise.

One last note: for some reason EAS uses water soluable glue on the wrapping for their meal replacement bars. Having the glue melt, quickly followed by the bars, makes for some very foul cooler water! If you bring meal replacement bars, put them in some sort of water proof container before putting them in a cooler with ice. I had to work up my nerve before sticking my arm into the cooler water to get something out to eat-- and cleaning out the cooler was no fun, either!

Have fun!

B.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:06 am

Make sure you have dust goggles that work.
If you have time, go to altitude and be acclimated before the burn.
There are plenty of places to go that are high enough on the way.

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:55 am

My first year my back went out, fortunately I had mylarry to reply on. Even lying around camp was better than being in Utah.

Find a good lip balm which won't melt, and foot cream/lotion and a sunblock you can stand. Try them all out now. And a big ass shade hat with a chinstrap.

Expect nothing, prepare for everything.

Drop by Anti M's Home for Wayward Art and adopt some art to take home.

Lifeisshort · Post by **Lifeisshort** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:06 pm

I live on the east coast, unfortunately we are flying. Last year (06) was my first year and the only advice I will give you is; if you are a fun loving person,you are going to have the most memoriable experience of your live. So many layers, so much to take in, it is a blast.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:32 pm

People mentioned the dust. Yes there will be lots of dust everywhere. LOTS. If it bothers you make sure you take appropriate precautions. I am fine wearing close fitting sun glasses. In a dust storm, which you can expect, I needed goggles. Breathing it does not bother me at all though I know some people who will swear by them, so I think it depends on how sensitive you are to it. I've seen people with gas masks on too, which seems like a good idea if you don't like to breathe it in.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:55 pm

Don't go. It is way too crowded, there is dirt everywhere, you can't get a decent burger, hot as hell in the day, cold at night, stinky hippies all over the place, no showers, just stay home and tell all your friends that it really isn't worth the trip.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:16 pm

I scared one away recently. Conversation went something like this:

Her: geez. That's kinda harsh! "let me know if you wanna camp with us so I can tell you no"??

Me: If you can't take a little harshness then our camp might be the wrong choice. You have to have thick skin for many aspects of burningman. It's a place where "fuck you" to a complete stranger can be an endearing term.

Her: like it's more of a proposition there... "fuck you?"

Me: I haven't seen that one. It's more like "You look and smell like and asshole, get the fuck out of my face, but come over here and give me a hug, I haven't seen you in forever good friend" type of "fuck you"... My kind of place.

Her: ...

It's only funny cause it's true.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:40 pm

I heard some guy with a megaphone screaming, "Remember - there's no I in Fuck You!"

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:32 pm

They will give you a little guide when you arrive. Be sure and look at it to see if there are any "I can't miss that!" events that you'll want to go to. They blew up a couple hundred pounds of gasoline one day. I saw it from across the playa, which was great, but if I had paid attention to the guide I would have arranged to be a lot closer when they set it off.

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:43 pm

Sky god is right, check out that guide - My mates and I wouldnt have known about the Star wars war. In this event a group gave out thousands of light sabers, and we had a war at the base of the man!!!!!!!!!!

was incredible!!

Would not have known about half of the parties we went too, or the incredible music and other events.

I spent every waking minute exploring or working ESD, and even then explored a lot. I still did not see everything apparently as there is tons of stuff in videos I missed.

Read the calendar of events!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LATER ALL

Silver 2 · Post by **Silver 2** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:06 pm

Skygod wrote:

They will give you a little guide when you arrive. Be sure and look at it to see if there are any "I can't miss that!" events that you'll want to go to.

and mdmf007 agreed.

They are wrong. Check out the guide and check out the BM site before you go so that you know what you are missing when you get sidetracked on the way there. If you make it to one out of ten somethings you are not paying attention to all the other somethings. I learned my lesson on my second day at BM in '02, I was headed somewhere to see something and got invited to a pagan wedding, not in the guide and not on the site but an experience I will never forget.

Let your life flow, '06 was the first time I had obligations, I did fire watch at Dual Nature, I spun on Weds. I was in the conclave and kept my newbie friends fed and well off but other than that I let it go.

Other things
Hushville contains good people, no generators (a plus) and is generally well located, you must register but past that there are no obligations. There is a lot of 'free' camping areas and you just throw down stakes, set up your camp and you are done. Wander around, be friendly, help out, be silly, dress up, get branded (stamps though I know people who have real brands), bring barbies for the Death Camp, dance, help others, say 'Hi want a beer, drink, water, dinner ...

I have come to define Burners as "Adults that play". So, as I used to say when I was uber-soccer dad, "Go; play!".

s

P.S. If you are a woman be aware that there are still more men than woman at BM, if you have a problem Yell, people will come to your aid. If you are a guy don't be creepy, note: this goes across age groups, I have gotten almost as many complaints about creepy 20 somethings as I have about creepy 50 somethings.

P.P.S.
I am now 54, so I can say this and if you don't like it tough. 50 somethings show some goddanmed diginity. Unless they come on to you (it happens) leave the young women alone. Just because you see them kissiing some other old fart does not mean that they want to kiss you.

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:36 am

We found a WWW guide on the ground, obviously someone had planned on many, many events, all circled and highlighted. I guess they had a good time without a schedule!

And I was over-scheduled last year, family home evening, temple guardian, art installation, camp art, Rocky Horror, fire safety in the great circle, a wedding. Phew! I missed the wander around and look at art days. Fire safety was cool, and I wouldn't miss Rocky Horror if they do it again, but other than that, no plans! Oh I lied, I want to wash dishes at the Golden Cafe and of course my Wayward Home will be up. But other than that ... oh and the eplaya meet n greet. And the Kamp A's fashion show ... oh hell.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:00 am

We found a WWW guide on the ground, obviously someone had planned on many, many events, all circled and highlighted. I guess they had a good time without a schedule!

Oh! Is THAT where it went?! (Erm, no, now I remember-- I found it when I cleared the stuff out of my car after getting back....

)

B. (who only did a very little of what he'd planned before going, but [mostly] had fun anyway)

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:08 am

Of course you'll have fun without the guide, All the guide does is give you a reference for the scheduled events.

I saw tons of stuff that wasn't on there, and found tons of stuff in the guide I would have missed as well.

use the guide, but don't fixate on it. spontanaiety happens.

later all

skeetsh00ter · Post by **skeetsh00ter** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:38 pm

[quote="delta9"]Does anyone drive from the eastcoast? We plan on renting a car and camping in tents along the way. When we arrive at the festival thats where everything becomes a bit blurry; I'm not sure what will happen next. [/quote]

I'm planning on driving from the east coast (atlanta). the drive is going to be half the fun!

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:59 pm

skeetsh00ter wrote: the drive is going to be half the fun!

<3 the drive!
It's like driving to Oz.

first time burn

first time burn

Re: first time burn

Re: first time burn