I'm a virign!

[marcoboerner]

Hi, this year will be my first Burning Man, and I thought lets say hello here at the eplaya!! I'm excited and nervous, one the one side I have great expectations on the other side I try not to think of anything so everything can happen. I'm traveling and where ever I am I always stick out a little by the way I life my life, by the thing I say and do, does this make me a better match for BM or rather not? I love wearing costumes and stuff, so I'm good with that. Maybe I hide behind or it's an expression of my soul, can't tell.. : ) I'm hitchhiking and couchsurfing around North America right now and I am really wondering. So many seem to put a lot of effort in planing etc. I mean of course getting all the things you need yourself is essential, but what about other stuff. So many of you are planing already to have their own theme camp or to join another, or where and with whom to camp etc. and I am wondering. Should I do the same? I mean so many times in life I just went without planning like this somewhere and things turned out great and were full of surprises. So, I'm thinking on putting myself on the road side of Reno a day before it starts and just put up my thumb high in the air and then it's something else that decides how thing go. Can be amazing, but also can be not. Or should I find a ride now, a camp where I can participate and stay etc? I mean as a first timer I think I should be as open and free as possible so I can figure myself what suits me, and then another time I can plan before when I really know what I liked most at the playa.. I can't tell. What are your experiences? Rather trust in faith, take your chances or rather make sure to have a 'home' when you're there??
But in any case I really hope it will be as great as I imagine it! I'm open to everything and feel ready to take myself even further, if there is a place where I can improve myself freely and just let go of real life experience then it should be Burning Man, or not? Am I too naive with my hopes and dreams?

[FaeTora]

Realize this comes from a fellow burner virgin.

I think you should plan more. Yes it could be amazing but if you go onto the Playa with what you have right now you will either not survive or you will be living off of others who did plan, which is not the point of BM. Honor the spirit of it and start planning now. If your couch surfing around America you probably have some free time. Get a tent, figure out how you can be there a day or two ahead of time to buy those last things you will need like water, and get yourself prepared.

I have several conditions/allergies and I, even when not going to BM, wear my medical alert knecklace. For the Playa, and I hope I won't need it, I am having a choker made so I don't have to worry about the wind or the chain breaking or getting snagged on anything. It's my resposibity to make sure I'm taken care of and safe, not the people on the Playa.

Also, theme camps take a lot of work. You don't just show up and party. These people spend all year and put sweat, blood, and tears into these camps year round to make them happen. So I would think about maybe camping near but not in one or pitching your tent up alone (either truly alone or with friends).

Just rememeber, Black Rock doesn't owe you anything. Treat it with respect and you'll get it in return.

Good Luck.

[marcoboerner]

[quote="FaeTora"]Realize this comes from a fellow burner virgin.

I think you should plan more. Yes it could be amazing but if you go onto the Playa with what you have right now you will either not survive or you will be living off of others who did plan, which is not the point of BM. Honor the spirit of it and start planning now. If your couch surfing around America you probably have some free time. Get a tent, figure out how you can be there a day or two ahead of time to buy those last things you will need like water, and get yourself prepared.

[/quote]

Thanks for your response, of course I will go there with tent and water, food, all the essentials. My questions was if I should try to engage with others burners, theme camps, ride sharing, etc. before I go there. Or if, as long as I bring what is needed, I can have a good experience either way?

[AntiM]

Welcome.

If you are bringing your survival essentials, you can indeed have a good burn without knowing anyone beforehand. That's what we did when we started going. Although we did have a few more resources than a thumb in the air!

Water would be a huge concern, you can't realistically hitch in with a good amount. You can drink ice melt if you have a cooler/container. You can make connections and make arrangements for water transport. I brought two water suitcases in last year, but the guy never showed up for them. Anyway, there's options.

You don't need a theme camp, in fact, solo camping gives you the freedom to help and sample and learn. A theme camp can lock you into a routine you may not be ready for. But a hearty "Here, let me help you with that" will get you very far.

Have fun!

[marcoboerner]

Thank you AntiM! Water will really be a kind of an issue. I'm thinking of trying to prearrange a ride from Reno or so, to Reno I can hitchhike easy and I just get all my stuff there. I guess it's an option. Let's see. I'm excited!

[Rice]

Hi, Welcome!!!

You certainly have the right attitude to survive and thrive in Black Rock City!!

As long as you make sure you have the essentials (water [1.5 gallons a day], food, shelter) you will not be a burden to others.

There is a lot to see and do during the event. The best thing to do for your first burn is to just jump in when you see a need. Most people contribute something back to the city... (I volunteer for Perimeter) Some are good organizers, others make the party happen, some are good mediators or make the fantastic art cars and the amazing art.

Be sure to read the survival guide http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/ (read it till you can quote it from memory!!

I hope you decide its worth it. See ya on the playa!!!

Rice
xoxo

[AntiM]

Most camps have public areas if they're big enough, or at least a spare chair for friends or visitors. Think of it as a front porch. However, most camps also have a private area for sleeping, bathing, just taking a break. Those are the area which people get up0set about strangers wandering in. Most of the time it is quite easy to see the difference.

So just ask, if they're not into visitors at the moment, wander on, you'll find conversation or dancing or naked twister eventually!

[marcoboerner]

So just ask, if they're not into visitors at the moment, wander on, you'll find conversation or dancing or naked twister eventually!

Sounds like a plan! Being honest and just saying what you think, can't go wrong with that, or even if it goes wrong, at the end you can tell yourself you stood up for yourself by saying what you want to say, and just asking!

[Dr. Pyro]

It may just be me, but what the hell is a virign?

[marcoboerner]

It may just be me, but what the hell is a virign?

It's a typo, and I was already wondering why no one noticed..

[xhoosier]

and you will no longer be a virgin! Have fun and say hi to everyone I may be one of them.

[chris2010]

Good Luck! My First Burn too, but I am going with someone who was there before, so I will be learning a lot from her

[Snow]

It may just be me, but what the hell is a virign?

It's pronounced vir-a-gain, being a virgin all over again.