Hey guys. I thought this was the best place to get my eplaya persona started. I am a young guy from Louisiana, about to graduate college with my BA in Sociology. This year I found out I was not accepted into graduate school, although I've got lots of great things going for me, a good GPA, and had everything pretty set. I'll just reapply next year most likely, after doing a sting with Americorps in Colorado for a year. I'm very interested in science, experiment with mind altering substances, am open minded to just about anything, and seeking a radical change in my life. I don't know where I am going, so this summer I've decided to embark on a soul-searching journey.
I'm leaving my home state of Louisiana and never looking back. I'm traveling from festival to festival this summer, concert to concert. I'm going from Wakarusa to Bonnaroo, then to the shroomery gathering, then desideratta festival, then grateful fest, then camp bisco, then allgood, then some SCI and Phish shows... and finally ending this 10,000 mile journey with the most fitting thing for me to do after such an endeavor... Burning Man.
I will have tons of camping and outdoor experience by then. I plan on camping in parks and national forests, and I'll be living on my own on the open road for a long time. I hope to meet so many friends along the way and find out more about who I am as a person. I hope to build goals and dreams on my adventure, and perhaps burning man will be the best way to sort out exactly what I value in life.
I have never done anything like this before, so radical self reliance will be more than just a saying for me. It will be a mantra that I will live by for months before the burn. I don't know what I'll contribute to burning man, but I will figure that out along the way. I want to just be a part of something and find a community that I can embrace and enjoy. I have ideas for art projects and installations, but those ideas will solidify in time.
What am I seeking to accomplish on these forums? Well, mainly to find others to connect with up until the burn. I can take people from wherever it is I will be ending up at right before the burn to the burn, for free... thats what I plan to do. I am just curious if any of you out there are also going to be wanderers this summer, or if you know others like me? I'm nervous doing this thing solo, but its the whole purpose of what I seek to do.
I'll end this with some questions that are far more general in nature about the vibe, rather than specific technicalities:
How are the stars out on the Playa? Are they beautiful? Is there too much light pollution, or will I see the milky way?
As far as gifting goes, is it appropriate to bring art on small canvases for gifting and trading?
How does possibly bringing some home cooked cajun gumbo sound?
Is it a good idea to bring a GPS? I use them at festivals all the time to locate people I meet :)
Are there tattoo and body piercing artists at BM?
Soul-searching... Future burner from Louisiana
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realitybias
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:56 pm
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LeChatNoir
- Posts: 5907
- Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2003 8:52 am
- Location: Louisville, Ky
Welcome to eplaya and the start of your adventure. Sounds like you've thought about this for a while and have planned out your rough idea with plenty of room for going with the flow. May it be a good experience all around for you.
Answering your questions, yes I met a couple of tattoo artists at Burning Man, however I've not seen any of them doing tattoos. Seems like a very bad idea to have a fresh open wound there, so I suspect that's why I've not seen it. This does not mean that a tattoo has not been done there, however, just that most think it's a not a good idea and better left to a more controlled environment.
GPS seems like a very handy thing, especially during a big dust up, but don't be afraid to not use it and see what you wander into as well.
A bowl of gumbo as the sun goes down and the day is cooling off would be wonderful!
Gifting... bring what ever you wish. If it's from the heart, it will be more than acceptable.
And finally, the stars. You will not be disappointed. And especially make sure you go way out into deep playa and look off towards the north away form the city. The moon will be waning this year, so you should get some good views of the stars and Milky Way, especially later in the week. they're pretty wonderful... all the way down to the horizon.
Be sure, when out there in the deep dark, to turn around and look at the city itself from a distance. It's a big, writhing mass of sound and glowing energy and every single point of light was brought there by someone to be shared with you.
Answering your questions, yes I met a couple of tattoo artists at Burning Man, however I've not seen any of them doing tattoos. Seems like a very bad idea to have a fresh open wound there, so I suspect that's why I've not seen it. This does not mean that a tattoo has not been done there, however, just that most think it's a not a good idea and better left to a more controlled environment.
GPS seems like a very handy thing, especially during a big dust up, but don't be afraid to not use it and see what you wander into as well.
A bowl of gumbo as the sun goes down and the day is cooling off would be wonderful!
Gifting... bring what ever you wish. If it's from the heart, it will be more than acceptable.
And finally, the stars. You will not be disappointed. And especially make sure you go way out into deep playa and look off towards the north away form the city. The moon will be waning this year, so you should get some good views of the stars and Milky Way, especially later in the week. they're pretty wonderful... all the way down to the horizon.
Be sure, when out there in the deep dark, to turn around and look at the city itself from a distance. It's a big, writhing mass of sound and glowing energy and every single point of light was brought there by someone to be shared with you.
The New and Improved Black Cat... now with 25% more blather
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AntiM
- Moderator
- Posts: 20301
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:23 am
- Burning Since: 2001
- Camp Name: Anti M's Home for Wayward Art
- Location: Wild, Wild West
Welcome. Listen to the Cat, for he is wise.
Yes, the stars are lovely once you wander away from the city lights. The best star viewing on the planet is on the big island of Hawaii, on top of Muana Kea. But perhaps that's another journey.
As for mind altering substances, well, there's a topic which gets lively. Nevada is unforgiving when it comes to the law, and there are plenty of LEOS attending. Heck, law enforcement reads this board. So be discrete, whatever your pleasure. Sharing and gifting such things is not the wisest idea.
Small canvases? Oh yes! My project is the Home for Wayward Art. I paint and create all year so I can fill my chickenwire gallery. People can adopt the art which strikes their fancy and take it home. I love gifting art.
See you at home.
Yes, the stars are lovely once you wander away from the city lights. The best star viewing on the planet is on the big island of Hawaii, on top of Muana Kea. But perhaps that's another journey.
As for mind altering substances, well, there's a topic which gets lively. Nevada is unforgiving when it comes to the law, and there are plenty of LEOS attending. Heck, law enforcement reads this board. So be discrete, whatever your pleasure. Sharing and gifting such things is not the wisest idea.
Small canvases? Oh yes! My project is the Home for Wayward Art. I paint and create all year so I can fill my chickenwire gallery. People can adopt the art which strikes their fancy and take it home. I love gifting art.
See you at home.
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Captain Goddammit
- Posts: 8589
- Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2003 9:34 am
- Burning Since: 2000
- Camp Name: First Camp
- Location: Seattle, WA
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realitybias
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:56 pm
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kellichandler01
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:07 am
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Into the Wild
Hi future burner from Louisiana. I too am a first time burner from Louisiana. I am just curious what part of Louisiana you are from and if you have read the book "Into the Wild". I am sure you are familiar with it, but the story/adventure is just like the one you are about to undertake. Enjoy it before corporate America sucks you in!
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teardropper
- Posts: 1215
- Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:33 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: The late Lazy Fucks. Now Orphan Eaters.
- Location: Oregon
When I was a young man of 21 I embarked on a similar journey from my home in Iowa. It was 1968 and I wandered for about four years. Mostly to the west, some east and south, and north into Canada, for sure, but mostly west. I won't say it was the best experience I've had, sure in the top 5, but one I had to have. If you have to do it, bless you, fellow vagabond. I hope you light someplace beautiful, sometime. I wish the burn was happening then. It sounds like you are going to festivals a lot. Burning Man is something else. But you sound like you will be ready, with gear, with experience in difficult camping, with the right head. Come forth, and Burn.
\^/
/..\ Furthur
/..\ Furthur
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kellichandler01
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:07 am
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
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Elderberry
- Moderator
- Posts: 14976
- Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:00 pm
- Burning Since: 2007
- Camp Name: Camp Kelly
- Location: Palm Springs
- Contact:
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realitybias
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:56 pm
Hahaha. I love you guys. Yes, it is very similar to the book "into the wild," and although I have not read the book, I plan on it because it does have a special relevance to the journey I am about to undertake. It is scary for me, but I am so resolved to do it that nothing will hold me back. I'll find ways to make money and get around. I've always got my car, the clothes on my back, and a little bit of ingenuity, and it should get me by just fine.
[quote]Hi future burner from Louisiana. I too am a first time burner from Louisiana. I am just curious what part of Louisiana you are from and if you have read the book "Into the Wild". I am sure you are familiar with it, but the story/adventure is just like the one you are about to undertake. Enjoy it before corporate America sucks you in![/quote]
I am from South Lafourche (around Grand Isle), and I've lived all over the state. Currently I am living in Ruston, LA going to Louisiana Tech University. All of my friends for the four years I've lived here are going to be very sad to see me go... and I'll miss them dearly. I've had more life experiences in the past 4 years than most people my age. I've even been divorced... its the first year that I am a completely free man, and the first year that I absolutely have to learn radical self reliance... that, my friends, is why I'm chosing to make the burn the crowning moment in this journey.
[quote]That book didn't end well, did it?
You might consider including more than fetivals on your trip.[/quote]
No, it did not. I hope my ending turns out to be a little more palatable. I am definitely including more than festivals though. I considered going to the rainbow family gathering, even though I do not share many of their beliefs and philosophies. I am definitely camping out on certain long portions of the journey, like when I drive from West Virginia to Red Rocks in Colorado to see String Cheese Incident. I'm seeing a bunch of Phish shows this summer too.
[quote]When I was a young man of 21 I embarked on a similar journey from my home in Iowa. It was 1968 and I wandered for about four years. Mostly to the west, some east and south, and north into Canada, for sure, but mostly west. I won't say it was the best experience I've had, sure in the top 5, but one I had to have. If you have to do it, bless you, fellow vagabond. I hope you light someplace beautiful, sometime. I wish the burn was happening then. It sounds like you are going to festivals a lot. Burning Man is something else. But you sound like you will be ready, with gear, with experience in difficult camping, with the right head. Come forth, and Burn.[/quote]
I am only 21, but I've got a lot of experience camping and in festivals. Each year the past 3, I've asked myself if I am ready to go and camp in the desert for 7 days... As much as I wanted to, there was no way I would be ready. Now, though, I feel like there is no way I'm NOT ready. My time has come and I feel a calling to the playa. It comes at a very symbolic point in my life, and furthermore, any skills that I have lacked over the past 3 or 4 years, I will gain in my individual trip around the country. I very, very much yearn for the burn.
I would like to talk to you more about your journey, how you did it, what you saw, what you experienced, how you felt afterwards... and how you reentered society and got a job when it was all said and done. What did you learn about yourself? Man... even if you don't post it to the open forum, shoot me a message :)
[quote]No. The book didn't end well, but I think it was because he ended up in Alaska as opposed to Black Rock City.[/quote]
TOO TRUE!
Ok guys... here is my summer schedule so far. If any of you live anywhere around these areas, I would love to stop by before the burn and meet you!
------, LA to Ozark, Arkansas
Wakarusa
Arive June 1st, Depart June 7th
289 miles, 5 hours.
Ozark, AR to Manchester, TN
Bonnaroo
Arive June 7th, Depart June 14th
525.21 miles, 8 hours
Manchester, TN to Portsmouth, VA
Phish Show!
Arive June 14th, Depart June 16tth
670 miles, 11 hours
Portsmouth, VA to Nelson, Ohio
Shroomery Forum Gathering
Arive June 16th, Depart June 21st
518 miles, 8 hours, 45 minutes
Nelson, OH to Mansfield, MA
Phish show Comcast Center, Mansfield MA
Arive June 22nd, Depart June 23rd
619 miles, 10 hours
Mansfield, MA to Camden, NJ
Phish Show Susquehanna Bank Center
Arive June 23rd, Depart June 25th
300 miles, 5 hours
Camden, NJ to Columbia, MD
Phish Show, Merriweather Post Pavilion
Arive June 25th, Depart June 28th
124 miles, 2 hours 13 minutes
Columbia, MD to Nelson, Ohio
Grateful Fest
Arive June 28th, Depart July 6th
324 miles, 5 hours
Nelson, Ohio to Masontown, WV
Allgood Music Festival
Arive July 6th, Depart July 12th
176.4 miles, 3 hours 14 minutes
Masontown, WV to Mariaville, NY
Camp Bisco
Arive July 12th, Depart July 17th
513 miles, 8 hours, 35 minutes
Mariaville, NY to Morrison, CO
Red Rocks!!! SCI!!!
Arive July 20th-21st, Depart July 25th
1794.7 miles, 27 hours, 41 minutes
(holy shit. What a long ride)
Note: The ride here will expose me to many, many miles of wilderness, camping areas, and states. I may stop by and camp out somewhere one of these nights.
Morrison, CO to North Plains, OR
HORNINGS HIDEOUT! SCI!!!
Arive July 28th, Depart August 2nd
1290 miles, 19 hours, 5 minutes
(god damn this will be a bitch)
North Plains, OR to Berkeley, CA
General Camping and Phish at Greek Theatre
Arive August 2nd-3rd, depart August 8th
695 miles, 11 hours
Berkeley, CA to Noblesville, IN
Phish show, and general camping along the way
Arive August 12th, Depart August 14th
2286 miles, 1 day 12 hours
Big trek across the country again…. Gonna camp out and meet people along this rung between the 8th and the 12th. Might camp Yellowstone one of the nights!
Noblesville, IN to East Troy, WI
Alpine Valley Music Theatre Phish Show
Arive August 14th, Depart August 16th
279 miles, 5 hours
East Troy, WI to Wantagh, NY
Phish Show Jones Beach Theater
Arive August 16th, Depart August 19th
923 miles, 15 hours, 21 minutes
Wantagh, NY to Black Rock City, NV
BURNING MAAAAAAN
Arive early, leave whenever… to who knows where
Big gap between 19th and Burning Man. Will fill this in as I find stuff to do. But from Wantagh, NY to Burning Man, I have to add a total of 2789 miles.
The entire trip as listed is 13854 miles. At 26 miles per gallon, my car will need 532 gallons of gas. At $3.00 a gallon average, that will be $1598 in gas. The ticket total will be somewhere between $2500 and $3000 dollars. Food, I can live very cheap, 25 dollars a week for 12 weeks is $300. Anything in addition to that is just extra and I cant afford to pack much anyway so I don’t see myself going all materialistic.
So that is a total of $4398-$5000 to pull this off. I am making money by selling things like beer, grilled cheese, breakfast burittos, tie dies, art, ceramics, pipes, and other stuff along the way. From my micro-experiments last summer, I tend to make $600 at festivals. I have never tried to move anything at concerts, but I’ll anticipate that I’ll make much less at concerts. Phish concerts may be different though. I can bet I’ll make at least $300 at each one of those. Assuming I make a minimum of $600 a festival, and a minimum of $200 per Phish show, I will have raised $5000. I plan on doing much better than 600 at a few festivals, though, and at some of the bigger phish shows, much better than 200. I also am very open and likely to scrap a lot of these shows… schedules are made to be deviated from… especially if some of the shows are prohibitively expensive and I don’t have the money at the time.
I have a question for the rest of you burners… are there any opportunities to get to BM early and help set up? Because I could definitely fit that in my schedule! :D
I cant wait to meet so many of you!
[/quote]
[quote]Hi future burner from Louisiana. I too am a first time burner from Louisiana. I am just curious what part of Louisiana you are from and if you have read the book "Into the Wild". I am sure you are familiar with it, but the story/adventure is just like the one you are about to undertake. Enjoy it before corporate America sucks you in![/quote]
I am from South Lafourche (around Grand Isle), and I've lived all over the state. Currently I am living in Ruston, LA going to Louisiana Tech University. All of my friends for the four years I've lived here are going to be very sad to see me go... and I'll miss them dearly. I've had more life experiences in the past 4 years than most people my age. I've even been divorced... its the first year that I am a completely free man, and the first year that I absolutely have to learn radical self reliance... that, my friends, is why I'm chosing to make the burn the crowning moment in this journey.
[quote]That book didn't end well, did it?
You might consider including more than fetivals on your trip.[/quote]
No, it did not. I hope my ending turns out to be a little more palatable. I am definitely including more than festivals though. I considered going to the rainbow family gathering, even though I do not share many of their beliefs and philosophies. I am definitely camping out on certain long portions of the journey, like when I drive from West Virginia to Red Rocks in Colorado to see String Cheese Incident. I'm seeing a bunch of Phish shows this summer too.
[quote]When I was a young man of 21 I embarked on a similar journey from my home in Iowa. It was 1968 and I wandered for about four years. Mostly to the west, some east and south, and north into Canada, for sure, but mostly west. I won't say it was the best experience I've had, sure in the top 5, but one I had to have. If you have to do it, bless you, fellow vagabond. I hope you light someplace beautiful, sometime. I wish the burn was happening then. It sounds like you are going to festivals a lot. Burning Man is something else. But you sound like you will be ready, with gear, with experience in difficult camping, with the right head. Come forth, and Burn.[/quote]
I am only 21, but I've got a lot of experience camping and in festivals. Each year the past 3, I've asked myself if I am ready to go and camp in the desert for 7 days... As much as I wanted to, there was no way I would be ready. Now, though, I feel like there is no way I'm NOT ready. My time has come and I feel a calling to the playa. It comes at a very symbolic point in my life, and furthermore, any skills that I have lacked over the past 3 or 4 years, I will gain in my individual trip around the country. I very, very much yearn for the burn.
I would like to talk to you more about your journey, how you did it, what you saw, what you experienced, how you felt afterwards... and how you reentered society and got a job when it was all said and done. What did you learn about yourself? Man... even if you don't post it to the open forum, shoot me a message :)
[quote]No. The book didn't end well, but I think it was because he ended up in Alaska as opposed to Black Rock City.[/quote]
TOO TRUE!
Ok guys... here is my summer schedule so far. If any of you live anywhere around these areas, I would love to stop by before the burn and meet you!
------, LA to Ozark, Arkansas
Wakarusa
Arive June 1st, Depart June 7th
289 miles, 5 hours.
Ozark, AR to Manchester, TN
Bonnaroo
Arive June 7th, Depart June 14th
525.21 miles, 8 hours
Manchester, TN to Portsmouth, VA
Phish Show!
Arive June 14th, Depart June 16tth
670 miles, 11 hours
Portsmouth, VA to Nelson, Ohio
Shroomery Forum Gathering
Arive June 16th, Depart June 21st
518 miles, 8 hours, 45 minutes
Nelson, OH to Mansfield, MA
Phish show Comcast Center, Mansfield MA
Arive June 22nd, Depart June 23rd
619 miles, 10 hours
Mansfield, MA to Camden, NJ
Phish Show Susquehanna Bank Center
Arive June 23rd, Depart June 25th
300 miles, 5 hours
Camden, NJ to Columbia, MD
Phish Show, Merriweather Post Pavilion
Arive June 25th, Depart June 28th
124 miles, 2 hours 13 minutes
Columbia, MD to Nelson, Ohio
Grateful Fest
Arive June 28th, Depart July 6th
324 miles, 5 hours
Nelson, Ohio to Masontown, WV
Allgood Music Festival
Arive July 6th, Depart July 12th
176.4 miles, 3 hours 14 minutes
Masontown, WV to Mariaville, NY
Camp Bisco
Arive July 12th, Depart July 17th
513 miles, 8 hours, 35 minutes
Mariaville, NY to Morrison, CO
Red Rocks!!! SCI!!!
Arive July 20th-21st, Depart July 25th
1794.7 miles, 27 hours, 41 minutes
(holy shit. What a long ride)
Note: The ride here will expose me to many, many miles of wilderness, camping areas, and states. I may stop by and camp out somewhere one of these nights.
Morrison, CO to North Plains, OR
HORNINGS HIDEOUT! SCI!!!
Arive July 28th, Depart August 2nd
1290 miles, 19 hours, 5 minutes
(god damn this will be a bitch)
North Plains, OR to Berkeley, CA
General Camping and Phish at Greek Theatre
Arive August 2nd-3rd, depart August 8th
695 miles, 11 hours
Berkeley, CA to Noblesville, IN
Phish show, and general camping along the way
Arive August 12th, Depart August 14th
2286 miles, 1 day 12 hours
Big trek across the country again…. Gonna camp out and meet people along this rung between the 8th and the 12th. Might camp Yellowstone one of the nights!
Noblesville, IN to East Troy, WI
Alpine Valley Music Theatre Phish Show
Arive August 14th, Depart August 16th
279 miles, 5 hours
East Troy, WI to Wantagh, NY
Phish Show Jones Beach Theater
Arive August 16th, Depart August 19th
923 miles, 15 hours, 21 minutes
Wantagh, NY to Black Rock City, NV
BURNING MAAAAAAN
Arive early, leave whenever… to who knows where
Big gap between 19th and Burning Man. Will fill this in as I find stuff to do. But from Wantagh, NY to Burning Man, I have to add a total of 2789 miles.
The entire trip as listed is 13854 miles. At 26 miles per gallon, my car will need 532 gallons of gas. At $3.00 a gallon average, that will be $1598 in gas. The ticket total will be somewhere between $2500 and $3000 dollars. Food, I can live very cheap, 25 dollars a week for 12 weeks is $300. Anything in addition to that is just extra and I cant afford to pack much anyway so I don’t see myself going all materialistic.
So that is a total of $4398-$5000 to pull this off. I am making money by selling things like beer, grilled cheese, breakfast burittos, tie dies, art, ceramics, pipes, and other stuff along the way. From my micro-experiments last summer, I tend to make $600 at festivals. I have never tried to move anything at concerts, but I’ll anticipate that I’ll make much less at concerts. Phish concerts may be different though. I can bet I’ll make at least $300 at each one of those. Assuming I make a minimum of $600 a festival, and a minimum of $200 per Phish show, I will have raised $5000. I plan on doing much better than 600 at a few festivals, though, and at some of the bigger phish shows, much better than 200. I also am very open and likely to scrap a lot of these shows… schedules are made to be deviated from… especially if some of the shows are prohibitively expensive and I don’t have the money at the time.
I have a question for the rest of you burners… are there any opportunities to get to BM early and help set up? Because I could definitely fit that in my schedule! :D
I cant wait to meet so many of you!
[/quote]
-
AntiM
- Moderator
- Posts: 20301
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:23 am
- Burning Since: 2001
- Camp Name: Anti M's Home for Wayward Art
- Location: Wild, Wild West
Early arrival/early entry don't happen easily anymore. There are fewer and fewer opportunities to do so. You MUST be on the list, no one just shows up and gets in early anymore.
You might find a theme camp which will take you, but last year the BMORG was stingy with how many people per camp were given EE. So a lot of camps are leery of allotting their slots to newbs who aren't camp members. Other departments such as DPW are taking more experienced burners who already are in the loop as far as I can tell. Some art projects need helpers to set up, but they usually go with their workers who've been on the project all summer already. A lot of times volunteers who are known to be reliable camp members are chosen over unknown newbs.
Start contacting camps, fill out the volunteer form, look for the placed art projects when the list comes out and make contact. Communication is key.
Anyone with better info? Or do I have it about right?
You might find a theme camp which will take you, but last year the BMORG was stingy with how many people per camp were given EE. So a lot of camps are leery of allotting their slots to newbs who aren't camp members. Other departments such as DPW are taking more experienced burners who already are in the loop as far as I can tell. Some art projects need helpers to set up, but they usually go with their workers who've been on the project all summer already. A lot of times volunteers who are known to be reliable camp members are chosen over unknown newbs.
Start contacting camps, fill out the volunteer form, look for the placed art projects when the list comes out and make contact. Communication is key.
Anyone with better info? Or do I have it about right?
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Pandamonium
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2010 1:51 pm
- Contact:
Hi, Welcome!!!!
I would caution you against trying to get in early!! Only in the fact that most groups want tried & true people on their early lists for all of the above mentioned reasons.
I am not sure if you have read (cover to cover) the first timers & beginners guided, but you need to know that there is no vending at the event! All you can buy in the city is ice and coffee. Be sure to check out: http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/ and http://www.burningman.com/preparation/
My first burn was an adventure sparked, in part, by my divorce... I sure did not know what I was getting into!!! The 2010 burn will be my 4th in a row. So if a burnt out computer geek from Canada can survive, you should do fine!!
See ya on the Playa!
Rice
I would caution you against trying to get in early!! Only in the fact that most groups want tried & true people on their early lists for all of the above mentioned reasons.
I am not sure if you have read (cover to cover) the first timers & beginners guided, but you need to know that there is no vending at the event! All you can buy in the city is ice and coffee. Be sure to check out: http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/ and http://www.burningman.com/preparation/
My first burn was an adventure sparked, in part, by my divorce... I sure did not know what I was getting into!!! The 2010 burn will be my 4th in a row. So if a burnt out computer geek from Canada can survive, you should do fine!!
See ya on the Playa!
Rice