Out of my element.... normal feelings?

[JheregVonMunch]

Hi there,
33yr old mother of two x-raver.. free spirit.. very open minded.

I was told about burning man ... at least 10 years ago. Ive always wanted to go, and perhaps it better than I didn't go before because the more I read the more I see that its NOT a rave or festival or party, but so much more. And it looks like the environment can kick butt and take names of those not prepared.

But I REALLY want to do this, I find the art fasinating and Ive spent a lot of time going over the logistics of the layouts over the years and the themes and wow! I am so impressed by the organizers and voleneers!

I feel that is corporate america can grow their beards and go to bike week, could this be my thing? My one week away from everything I have had to become to provide and survive? My one week to meet people who live the dream, create from their heart and do something fantastic.

But at the same time I am intimidated. Like I said Im not that 20 something year old raver any more... well not on the outside anyway. Will I be out of place?

I read that you need to go with the idea of being a contributor not a moocher. Im not quite ready to build a sculpture out of semi trucks, but I have two hands and a good head on much shoulders, an open mind and a big heart.

I leaning towards the idea that I need to camp with others, who perhaps can offer advise rather than camping alone.

Thought?

Suggestions?

Oh and should I drive from FL to Black rock in a camper or fly and rent one there?

Advanced thanks for your responses.

SJB

[ygmir]

welcome!!!

you don't need to provide anything............only for yourself, especially your first time.
And, true, don't be a "moocher"........but, if you really need help, or, just plain forgot, well, folks will usually pitch in, especially if you are polite and not "needy".
Don't sweat "contributing".........hugs are nice, mooping is always appreciated, and, there's always an open spot at "reacharound camp"........

Just sayin', that, anything you do for others, is appreciated.

camping with others can be good.......that's so individual, based on you and them............read stuff here, there are lots of threads and good advice realted

If you drive here, with your stuff, you can be more comfortable and self reliant......but, many fly out and do just fine. Again, it is very subjective.

good luck

[C.f.M.]

All of your questions can be easily answered with a minute of research.

There's oodles of threads on this message board about driving, whether or not to join a theme camp, first-timers, etc.

You can also google such questions.

And just decide for yourself stuff like drive or fly, that's just up to you.

Lots of burners in Florida, you might want to hook up with them for these few months beforehand.

I'd advise finding a theme camp that sounds good to you, and joining.

And fuck ravers, and 20 year-olds. They can all stay home.

[VeganChoirGirl]

Well, let me be the third person to respond!

Stop WORRYING!

Make sure you bring enough food, water, shelter, goggles, and suncreen to make sure you don't die. Don't rely on others, but don't feel like you need to make a sculpture or create your own theme camp...too late anyway, theme camp registration has passed. Cruise the theme camp threads and see if one jumps out at you, approach them to see if they need help or wouldn't mind one more. Then decide...do I want to brave the elements to have the most amazing experience anyone has ever had? Then get your ass to the playa on the right day. Don't show up early!! Then have a phenomenal time.

Oh yeah, and x-raver means you'll probably love the music. so enjoy.

[theCryptofishist]

The event skews older than you, with a sizable 40s contingent and many older, and a good chunk in their later thirties.

[ibdave]

Hi there,



I read that you need to go with the idea of being a contributor not a moocher. Im not quite ready to build a sculpture out of semi trucks, but I have two hands and a good head on much shoulders, an open mind and a big heart.

I leaning towards the idea that I need to camp with others, who perhaps can offer advise rather than camping alone.

Thought?

Suggestions?

Oh and should I drive from FL to Black rock in a camper or fly and rent one there?

Advanced thanks for your responses.

SJB

I always enjoy walking/biking the streets of BRC and try to make eye contact with a smile to everyone I pass. To me this is a great gift. It's amazing how long it takes people to smile back. Camp alone, your not really alone with 45k people as family..

[motskyroonmatick]

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[C.f.M.]

[youtube][/youtube]

I took all sorts of gifts, and came home with most of them. Opportunities just didn't come up...

[illy dilly]

Wow, you pretty much explained exactly how I felt my first year. Then again this will only be my second year, just an experienced newbie.
Something about often checking, reading, and contributing to the ePlaya makes it feel like you have more experience than you really do. Hearing what the more experienced folks have to say and seeing what did or didn't work for them helps a lot. I feel like the ePlaya is way more useful than the first timers guide or the survival guide.
Sounds like you have the right mind set to survive, be comfortable, and have fun on the playa.
I hope to see you at the ePlaya MnG!

[JheregVonMunch]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I am super excited and think it's going to be once in alifetime expeerience. I just want to do it well you k Now!

I have never come across anything like it before and I feel like I'm at the right point in my life. It's been years since I've been free of the daily grind... Just like many many others and I am at a point in my life where priorities change. Values and ideals are to be passed to the offsprings and better living standards need to be taken to ensure their thoughts be artistic, helpful and Eco friendly. Being able to tell them I lived a normal life and was able to experience the phenominan of burningman.. Well it's mind blowingly awesome!


Thanks again.
Love peace and chicken grease!

[Ugly Dougly]

"Normal feelings"! You're funny.

[theCryptofishist]

So, are you a Brust fan?

[Boijoy]

So, are you a Brust fan?

Mes thinkin Guy Fieri

[LeChatNoir]

Welcome to eplaya and the start of your adventure. As has been stated already, there is a wealth of information in these threads. Hang around and get to know the place, there’s real wisdom buried here… no really there is! But searching the forums and the interweb only goes so far and then it's time to talk to others, so feel free to ask a question if you can't find what you're seeking.

Burning Man is probably unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. There are certain rave aspects of it sprinkled around. It helps to keep the mix of BRC what it is. You’ll like the large sound camps, I suspect. And don’t stress too much for your first year. There’s so much information overload out there that I recommend people just come and check it out their first time. Bring everything that you would need as if you are camping alone in the middle of nowhere for a week ad you’ll be fine. But again, if you forget something it’s a good chance that your neighbors (that you introduced yourself to when you arrived, right?) will help you out with a smile.

[Mojojita]

It is a once in a lifetime experience - every single year....

[ibdave]

It is a once in a lifetime experience - every single year....

WINNER.......

[JheregVonMunch]

Thanks again for the posts. This is becomming a Jhereg vs nature challenge the more I read :) I'm excited.

Water. Food. Vinegar. Chapstick chapstick chapstick. Bike to be destroyed.

Can I rent a camper and expect to turn it back in one peice? Full of dust, but in one peice?

Read about the human carcass wash... Had fun explaining that to the husband ;)

thinking about this :
fly with clothes from fla to las Vegas. Rent an RV. Go shopping for food, water, water, water. 2 bikes and all other supplies.

Drive to blk rock. Camp for the week. Return to Vegas. Return camper. Give bikes to local thrift. Fly home with some fabulous stories.

I can't stand the thought of driving two days. I have a truck and could borrow a trailer but I'm worried about keeping the trailer powered up for the week... Need to do more investigating there and oh yeah... It's two days drive... Blerk.

So what do you think?

Does anyone remember what the average consumption per person per day of water is? I know it's here somewhere but I'm reading so much I forget where I read things.

Love peace and chicken grease.

[Snow]

Reno is a much shorter drive than vegas, by like 8 hours. But I don't know if there are RV's avail. here, they may all be reserved already, who knows. We do have an airport and stores! lots of 24 hour stores.

[theCryptofishist]

Even for Vegas, you should get your name on a rental for a camper very soon, like last week, I think. It's a busy weekend; the last one of summer, with a federal holiday, and that barbeque fest in Reno. Simply too much going on, even if the burn weren't happening.

[Snow]

Even flying into Sacramento or the Bay Area would be closer than Vegas. Unless, of course you have some reason to go to vegas, like its LAS VEGAS!

[JheregVonMunch]

Ahhhh IC. Wonderful iPhone has me in the wrong place between Vegas as reno. Well let me check out reno. Hopefully I can still locate an RV.

[JheregVonMunch]

Interesting that an rv in Vegas is 1/3 of the price it is in Reno. There's that capitalism do hicky... Supply and demand ;)

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

[teardropper]

Wow. Lots of questions. Lots can be answered with research. But as far as age, I am over 60, but feel 32, except in the morning, and my camp is mostly 40's. You will fit in. I agree, fuck the ravers. Maybe they will grow into good burners. Sorry, not that ravers can't be good burners, but that's a whole other topic. And I'm beginning to enjoy the heartbeat of the playa.

The trailer is great, but a long drive. Really long drive. If you are using air you will need a generator. If not... I have an old RV with no air and I use battery power, no gennie, and do just fine. I am conservative with power use, and bring an extra battery just in case, but with water pumping and occasional light it works. Also I have 40 gallons of water on board and greywater tank to handle it and bring about a gallon a day extra drinking water. The RV gives us 2 gallon solar showers 3 or 4 times in the week and the 18-20 gallons drinking water is plenty. All for 2. Keep reading the First Timers and Survival and you sound like you'll be fine.

[JheregVonMunch]

Ok so now thinking fly into Sacramento, cost a little more but it's 5hrs less driving so I will gain that money back with less fuel costs.

I was told I need to drive in with a full tank.. Which town or where is the closest gas station if I'm coming from Sacramento?

What day is the burn? Saturday does everyone leave the next day?

Thank you again for all the info.

Love peace and chicken grease.

[Snow]

Fernley is the last reliable gas stop, there are several truck stops right off I-80. Ferenly is the ONLY town with services I even go through on my journey. Empire and Gerlach usually have gas, but don't count on them. Fill up to the brim in Fernley and top off in Empire or Gerlach. I got stuck in Gerlach for a day/night once while they were waiting for a fuel delivery (non BM desert adventure). There is gas in Nixon as well. Sadly I always miss the indian tacos as I come early and leave late.

Man burns on Saturday, Temple on Sunday. Most people leave on monday.

[swampdog]

Ha ha, hee hee, and ho ho.

"Normal" Heh.

You'll be just fine. If you start to feel alone go to the nearest street and say hi to the first person you see.

One of my memorable experiences last year, I'd been hanging out with some friends but had to get up and move and make noise because, well, because. I started growling, quietly to myself at first, then a bit louder. A young woman started growling back and soon we were growling and roaring at each other in the middle of the street. Then we turned and walked off our separate ways.

Where was I? Where else can you let that inner self roar like that?

There are regionals in FLA where you might be able to meet other burners. Try http://regionals.burningman.com/us_fl.html

[Elliot]

Welcome aboard, Mrs. VonMunch!

Now.... A quick reality check, if I may:

It's two days drive...

What are you talking about here? Certainly not driving from Florida to Nevada, because that takes more like a week.

[Oso]

I recently came upon some old files in my computer and was surprised to see that I had been checking out BM for almost 10 years before I finally went....... WHAT THE FUCK WAS I THINKING, WAITING SO LONG?

So.... I get there.... and I'm thinking "this is home".... later, I find out that that's pretty much what it is, and the BM home page says "Welcome Home"!

Believe me, the default world is not real life.

[Teo del Fuego]

Welcome aboard, Mrs. VonMunch!

Now.... A quick reality check, if I may:

It's two days drive...

What are you talking about here? Certainly not driving from Florida to Nevada, because that takes more like a week.

It's almost two day's drive from Denver. From FLA, it would be a four-day drive at least, me thinks

Try connecting with other FLA Burners at a Regional Burn near you