1st Timer from North Carolina, my ticket is on the way!

dreaminglife · Post by **dreaminglife** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:29 pm

Hey everyone!

Ever since reading Daniel Pinchbeck's description of Burning Man festival in his book Breaking Open the Head, I was really intrigued by the nature of the BM festival and community....

A strange turn of events much later, and I'm in a position to make it there this year, as part (the main part!) of a loooong road trip I'm taking this fall, beginning from my hometown in North Carolina. (I also hope to make it to Coallesence Festival, if they have it this year, in Texas (?)).

I'm going alone.

Yet, I'm pretty damn confident that arriving at this festival alone will not mean I will feel alone when I'm there. ;) What do you think?

Cheers!
-Ben

PS I am in awe that this event is free of commerce and capitalism. This is amazing and just... so cool. How utterly rare is it to connect with thousands of people and have the whole experience not based around buying and selling? It's nearly unthinkable in our culture now.

bx1 · Post by **bx1** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:34 pm

Just make sure you bring a spatula.

...and welcome.

Artemis · Post by **Artemis** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:28 pm

Welcome to eplaya.

I agree that although you are arriving alone, you will not feel alone.

Read the survival guide from the main Burning Man site until you have it committed to memory.

And you're right about the no-commerce thing being super cool. It's a unique experience alright.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:33 pm

bx1 wrote:Just make sure you bring a spatula.

...and welcome.

The only reason for the Spatula is fend of the big jerk that will show up sooner or later.....

And Welcome, put your rain coat on....

303jewels · Post by **303jewels** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 5:03 pm

Hi Dreaminglife (thats a nice one)

I hope the same as you.

Love from an original 'smiley'

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 5:46 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya.

(yep, no commerce at the event--all the commerce happens preparing to get there!)

JK

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:24 pm

No offense Ben, but you have been terribly misinformed. There absolutely is a currency at Burning Man: bacon. Bring lots of it, and make sure you spend it at Barbie Death Village. Otherwise, we will be forced to kill you.

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:34 pm

In case you don't know, there is a regional burn in you neighborhood
before BurningMan
http://www.transformus.com
And after BurningMan
http://www.alchemyfestival.com/

Welcome

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:25 pm

Dr. Pyro wrote:No offense Ben, but you have been terribly misinformed. There absolutely is a currency at Burning Man: bacon. Bring lots of it, and make sure you spend it at Barbie Death Village. Otherwise, we will be forced to kill you.

AHAA HAAA!!!

â€œA mixed drink is five bacon strips at this place? Jeezâ€¦ what is Black Rock City coming to?â€

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:25 am

Check out transformus if you can get a ticket.

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:13 am

Transformus has Bacon Camp. Serving "chicken fried bacon".
That's bacon dipped in batter and deep fried in bacon grease.
Served with cream gravy. Please read disclaimer on the back of your ticket before eating.

Bacon Camp may make it to the playa this year.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:37 am

Dreaminglife, welcome to eplaya. Don't worry about what DocPyro said, he won't really kill you. But, he will make you dust off all his barbies. Every day. And don't you dare let him catch you taking off their bikini bottoms.

That's his job.

Now go stock up on Endust.

dreaminglife · Post by **dreaminglife** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:49 am

Aw thanks for the warm cwelcome everyone!

And 3 cheers for posting the links to the BM stuff nearby me - I had no idea! I'm psyched to check it out.

As far as bacon currency goes on: what about soy bacon for us vegetarians? :) Or for that matter, I'll even bust out the the tempeh bacon since you guys are so friendly.

-Ben

Daddy-O · Post by **Daddy-O** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:54 am

I just heard that Barbie turned fifty this year. She is still very hot and I don't meen Doc Pyro's march into the oven hot. Sorry for the drift. Dreaminglife, no worries about being alone that's impossible unless you are in a porta potty.

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:32 pm

dreaminglife wrote:
As far as bacon currency goes on: what about soy bacon for us vegetarians? Or for that matter, I'll even bust out the the tempeh bacon since you guys are so friendly.

-Ben

Communist!

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:41 pm

dreaminglife wrote:As far as bacon currency goes on: what about soy bacon for us vegetarians? Or for that matter, I'll even bust out the the tempeh bacon since you guys are so friendly.

Oh not to worry, Bacon doesn't count as a meat, it's a member of the Bacon group (you know, like in -- animal, vegetable, mineral, baconable) so it's okay for philosophical vegetarians to consume).

Though if you prefer soy, tofu, etc. bacon -- that's okay too -- as long as it's Bacon!

anthony paul · Post by **anthony paul** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:09 am

[quote="Gizmo"]Transformus has Bacon Camp. Serving "chicken fried bacon".
That's bacon dipped in batter and deep fried in bacon grease.
Served with cream gravy. Please read disclaimer on the back of your ticket before eating.

Bacon Camp may make it to the playa this year.[/quote]

Good lord! That sounds like the tastiest heart attack ever!

alandia11 · Post by **alandia11** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:02 pm

What part of NC? Im in Virginia. What day are you going? Maybe you won't have to be so alone

dreaminglife · Post by **dreaminglife** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:45 pm

[quote="alandia11"]What part of NC? Im in Virginia. What day are you going? Maybe you won't have to be so alone[/quote]

I'm in Raleigh. What about you?

I'm leaving at least 2 weeks before BM starts... I'm making a big road trip trek outta this.