First BM Decompression Experience in LA

Antranik · Post by **Antranik** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:56 am

Hi everybody...

My name is (SNIP PER REQUEST), you can call me Anto. My first post is going to be on my experience with the LA event.

I discovered Burning Man a few days after this years event was over in BRC. A friend of mine who had gone there was telling me how amazing it was, but never divulged any specific details.

I looked up the information online and was blown away by the radicalness of it. I've been scouring the internet and these eplaya forums for a few days soaking up info like a sponge.

Anyway, my friend told me about the LA Decompression that was yesterday. So I went with 2 of my friends to downtown LA. We didn't know what to expect and we were dressed up like normal guys, haha.

The recompression event was totally awesome for me. The type of sights and sounds and people that were present there was totally entertaining. It took about 45 minutes to walk around and scope out the entire place.

The creativity of some of the projects were so cool. Like this one huge structure that had hanging monkeys from it and the whole thing would spin and create a real-life cartoon. The live entertainment was AWESOME, especially that reggae side. Everything was always in sync there.

The people were very friendly, very polite, a different air about the whole thing. People saying hi randomly, I thought that was so cool. Such a small thing to say ("Hi") but it is so powerful and gives the impression that people aren't fearful of talking to each other which is so common in LA (complete disconnection from your fellow brothers and sisters).

There was one guy running back and forth the entire thing with a yellow sign that reads "Free Samples" and so I was utterly confused when I asked him what's the samples? He said i dunno what do you want? And I didn't get it.. he said i can do 100 push ups! And I kind of got the abstract idea of what it could mean to "give" gifts.

There was this fire-show that went on nonstop of people playing with fire. That was pretty intense. The planning and professionalism of all the performers were beautiful.

I got this feeling that everyone there was super-creative. You have to be creative to just understand how to give to get and that just totally blows my mind. I'm so used to .. giving money! Hahhah.. it's strange. I'm happy I have a year to figure out what gifts to give for the next BM.

One of the things I guess I can do is give energy-healing sessions (it's what I do for a living) if anyone has anything that bothers them. Anyway I'm just rambling now because I've made up my mind to truly prepare for this event for next year and make it to that. I was so inspired seeing those tents with comfy stuff in it and odd furniture and... just.. being totally immersed in that environment seemed like I was HOME.

Oh oh! There were plenty of women wearing cooool stuff like huge dreads, short skirts, ripped tops, and they looked hot! Totally awesome eye-candy like that was a huge bonus.

So it is great to meet all of you and I will strive to prepare best I can for the next 12 months mentally and physically for the next Burning Man 2008. :D

MOD NOTE: Name snipped per posters request

Saturnine0 · Post by **Saturnine0** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:15 pm

Hehe, that's what happened to me as well. I decided within moments of walking into decom that I going to BM. GO OUT NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES. It's so much more than decom you'll be amazed.
Were you there with two other guys? All in street clothes? hanging out for a bit off to the side of the fire stage?

Antranik · Post by **Antranik** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:49 pm

[quote="Saturnine0"]Hehe, that's what happened to me as well. I decided within moments of walking into decom that I going to BM. GO OUT NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES. It's so much more than decom you'll be amazed.
Were you there with two other guys? All in street clothes? hanging out for a bit off to the side of the fire stage?[/quote]

Wow, that's exactly where I was for a while. I was sitting down packing a bowl for a few minutes while my friends were watching the show nearby.

Wow man so wait.. we stood out THAT much huh? Good eyes man.

I'm totally saving up and I don't want to go the route of the RV. I'm writing down basically everything I need to buy (tons of info on these forums and survival guides) and I'm just having a big problem understanding how I'm supposed to transport everything.

I went to yosemite last year and we were 4 people in a huge dodge-ram and we had absolutely filled the rear end to the MAX. With Burning Man, it seems like I'm going to need so much more because yosemite had everything we needed at the general store, hehe.

Steven bradford · Post by **Steven bradford** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:28 pm

Well, you may discover then what so many have before. RVs rawk. You can really fill them with a lot of stuff.

Valkyrie · Post by **Valkyrie** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:27 pm

Or you can discover exactly what you can and cannot live without.

Antranik · Post by **Antranik** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:46 pm

I've been thinking about this a lot today and the fact is that the cost of an RV is going to easily cost over $2000. That doesn't cover anything else like the essential food and water either. Among 4 people, $500 bucks is still dirt-cheap for a 7 or 8 day trip but you know what.. I want to experience this camping to the extreme.

On craigslist I found a huge 200sqft tent for $40 and sleeping bags and mattresses for dirt cheap prices. My friends and I are young (we're all 24) and we should be able to handle the harshness of the environment and have fun surviving.

I believe what we're going to do is take my old (but reliable) buick and hook up a closed-trailer to it to carry all our junk. I think that should be neat.

This is really strange because there's 11 months till the event and I'm totally excited as if it's gonna happen soon. I'm glad I have so much time to prepare too, hehe.

Saturnine0 · Post by **Saturnine0** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:36 pm

It seems daunting but it's really not as hard as all that. You have 11 months to prepare. My wife and I constructed a dome and survived for a week, we spent about $1000 all told, which is a hell of a lot cheaper than going on vacation. And BM is awesome. Again, BM is awesome. Any time spent in prep is well worth it on the playa.
If you need/want help with tips or packing info PM me, I've only been out once but I can help some.

PS I was the guy sitting in front of you with the white cowboy hat and the kilt.
I overheard enough of your conversation to surmise that you were virgins.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:53 am

READ THE SURVIVAL GUIDE!!!
20 x's!

Then ...WELCOME HOME!

Antranik · Post by **Antranik** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:06 am

Hehheh I think i've read the ENTIRE burning man website over a few times this week already including most of the sticky threads. The one that's left is the shower-design one, woo hoo! I think I'm gonna put myself the challenge of creating an awesome lounge-like camp for everyone... w00t!

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:13 am

Oh and be careful on the "Creepy Frat boy" language as well as your behavior!

We woman and men for that matter, dont wear alot of clothes if any out at BRC...looking is one thing...Gawking,Cat calling and TOUCHING without permission is ENTIRELY another.
And people who insist on this childish behavior will be dealt with.

Most of the people wear costumage of some sort, some just wear the basics to keep out the harsh enviroment.

Do what feels good, but always respect your fellow campers.
Love is ALL ABOUT RESPECT!

Again...welcome home~

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:40 am

pinemom wrote:And people who insist on this childish behavior will be dealt with.

mars · Post by **mars** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:23 am

It is really great to hear your enthusiasm and excitement.

That tent you got? Big tents are great, but make sure there is a way to cover any mesh walls, ceilings or doors. Mesh is great for heat, but not good in a dust storm.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:16 pm

Antranik wrote:On craigslist I found a huge 200sqft tent for $40 and sleeping bags and mattresses for dirt cheap prices. My friends and I are young (we're all 24) and we should be able to handle the harshness of the environment and have fun surviving.

The critical thing about tents is that they provide sufficient shade. If your tent doesn't block the sun sufficiently, your tent will be fine at night but too hot to sleep or be in during the day. I'm a huge fan of vinyl carports, myself. Lots of shade, lots of room, easy to put up and take down and the sides roll up during the day so you can have shade and be cooled by the wind.

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 11:07 am

Yea NEWBEES fresh Meat teeeehheeeee
Ohhhh did ya hear the part about Capt Smashey being stapled to the BOOBY BAR...we have'nt heard ANYTHING from The Larrys-who knows he maybe out there...on the playa still searching for Summer of Love Camp...

Don't GOOOOOO

Its all just a PLAN to brainwash you...

WITH FIRE AND FREAKS

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 11:42 am

Okay- With that said heres my 2cents about BIG convention style tents...

I bought one for my 3rd year(2005) IT WAS BIG , had to tie it to EVERTHING in the area to get it to STAND UP thur the WIND (avg. wind speed at burning man -I don't know-25mph) anyway more wind than any other place you have EVER CAMPED(unless you happen to have camped on the Columbia River)

A group of friends might be better off in smaller indivual tents, with central shade stucture to hang in...

My friends have a REALLY COOL shade...

What they have is 6 spreaders with 3 large silver tarps weaved together with rope to make large carport type with walls- fasten down with rebar...

They are able to have a truck, lots of tents, closet, kitchen...

And you can SLEEP IN - face opening away from sunrise

Yep.... some engineers (thats what they were) came by after THE WEN. Storm 2006-said they been wondering around seeing whose shade did the best...
they were super inpressed with the Camp...

trypical · Post by **trypical** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:37 pm

good job reading this site and researching!!!