Loads of questions!

UKphil · Post by **UKphil** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:00 pm

Hi, I've wanted to come to Burning Man for a long time and this year may be the year.
I'm from the UK and will be travelling alone.
I wouldn't be able to get to Burning man until the 28th, are there any problems doing this?
I was thinking of renting a car in Reno and driving out from there, would a normal car make the journey ok or would it get trashed?
Its all a bit last minute and I wouldn't be able to get there before the start, is it possible to still join and help in a camp in some way? or is it a bit late. This I would like to do to really feel part of something but if its not possible could I just turn up and camp without any problems?
People don't use money there and give gifts, can someone tell me what kind of gifts they've given in the past or what would be good for me to bring.
I am in recovery, is this a place I can come and enjoy the creative side of things along with like minded people or would I be the only strait one at the party?
And finally just on the off chance is there a creative recovery camp?

Thanks for your answers.

Phil

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:11 pm

Their are recovery groups on the playa...have ticket in hand when you arrive, as they wont be selling them at he gate this year. If you're only going to be their a couple days, a rental car shouldn't get too trashed. Theme camps sometimes require dues...but camp by one and help them out if you want..READ the survival guide and don't forget water, food, sunblock, shade and dust protection. As far as gifts, think of something that wont hit the ground...necklaces? pins? see playa artifacts in the Galleries section.

Funky Monkey Mech · Post by **Funky Monkey Mech** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:21 pm

No you would not be the only one in recover out there they actually have an anonymous camp out on the playa.

If you want you can camp with us at stag camp check out our thread and see if your interested... We are a really good group of people and are very welcoming... if you stay with us you won't be the only one from the UK... we have 2 women coming from Manchester...
As far as gifts go, if your coming late on the 28th like you said lots of fresh fruit and stuff that glows or blinks make great gifts... last year i gave away over 1000 glow bracelets as gifts you can usually find them on e-bay like 1000 for 100 dollars.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:22 pm

Hey, I do Burning Man Sober also. Lots of great place's to hang.
This camp was looking for a few souls.

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=23450

http://destinylounge.outtatheway.com/DestinyLounge/

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:39 pm

The only problem with arriving on the 28th is you miss the energy and friendliness of the first few days when everyone else is settling in.

A normal car will make it just fine. Just take a real hard look at the rental agreement to assure it doesn't have any prohibitions about "offroad driving" or travel outside the Reno/Tahoe area. Clean the hell out of it before you return it as to not incur any charges or ill will on the part of the rental agency that might cause them to stop renting to burners.

Depends on the camp - some theme camps have a lot of work to do all week as they run events and such. Some have little other than setup and teardown. You can also find other ways to pitch in outside your camp if you look for them.

Don't bring any gifts. Seriously. Just show up with an open mind and try not to expect anything.

That's up to you. There will be much alcohol and some drugs being offered to you. I rarely partake in anything and I've never gotten hassled for saying no. If you can handle being offered things and seeing it everywhere then you're just fine. If just being around it is too much you may want to wait until you're secure enough in your sobriety. There are meetings on the playa which may help.

Try not to set too many expectations or worry about small details that might ruin your burn. The sobriety is the only thing on your list that seems to be any sort of burn-altering problem. The rest are all things you can recover from and maybe have a better burn for it. Just show up with food, water, shelter, basic health/comfort needs and as few expectations as you can manage. The rest will work out the way it's going to work out.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:51 pm

Well said dork.

Oz · Post by Oz » Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:43 pm

Phil,
As with many locations, in the States at least, you can get a much better car rental rate at off-airport locations than at the airport. What's nice here in Reno is that many offsite rental offices are within a 5 minute drive of the airport. If you can swing a short drive consider:

Advantage on Kietzke Lane (my friend was quite happy with them. Rented to her knowing she was going to Burning Man - not all of them will!)

Enterprise on Mill St. (also Burner-friendly, last I checked)

Consider budgeting some time or money for an after-playa car wash so you don't have to pay a penalty on return. Maybe as much as $30 or $40 unless you can pre-wash it and get the bulk of the dust off. Then it will be about $20.

ATB

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:56 pm

Enterprise on Mill also rent's cargo vans.. there very nice and that way you get your place to sleep also. :-) and they don't have any logos on them either. might be kind of late for the rentals though. ????