Going to Black Rock CITY!

SirFixalot · Post by **SirFixalot** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:20 pm

hey guys, i wanted to say hi and meet everyone here since this is my first year at burning man! so excited!! i'll be coming up from los angeles with a couple of friends and we can't wait to hit black rock city like a bag of dynamite! i was wondering, though...i want to be able to call my friends back home and tell them everything that i'm up to (OBVIOUSLY), but i heard that there is no cell service the whole week!! how do people survive out there? i can't just disappear for a week from everybody. is there a nearby town that i can go to if i need to make calls?

Post by **Sham** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 1:43 am

Welcome. There is no cell service or texting in BRC. Back in the days of our pioneers, they sometimes used smoke signals to get urgent messages out. The nearby town of Gerlach has both pay phones (the device use by most everyone before the days of cell phones) and cell signals there. There is a restaurant and a bar there as well. If you're nice to the locals, they will adopt you and treat you like one of the family!
There is a bus that runs from BRC to the local towns of Gerlach and Empire, so you can make your calls and pick up some Slim Jims if you need to. The cost for this bus is/was $5, including the re-enrty into the event. If you wish to drive out, there is a $20 charge, and you will need your ticket stub and the wrist band to get back in.
I too had trouble disconnecting for the first 5 years, but now I really look forward to leaving civilization for a week. Being able to tell my work and family that I will not be available for a week, is better than sex. Try it!

Have safe travels and welcome again to eplaya and BRC!

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 6:37 am

Welcome!

Shambala nailed it, with a few exceptions for a few carriers the first day or so, there is no cell service. Also, using a cell at Burning Man is rather socially unacceptable. Sort of like crapping in the street.

You can disconnect for a week, that's the whole point! Black Rock City is ideally NOT part of the default world.

Let go, let go....

Re the shuttle into town: Even the service in Gerlach can crash under the increased demand.

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 6:46 am

Shambala wrote: If you're nice to the locals, they will adopt you and treat you like one of the family!

you two can be one of us...

Post by **Elderberry** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:13 am

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

JK

You could always rent a satellite phone.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:19 am

be prepared to be accosted, if walking around talking on your cell, and, if you start taking pics with it, to send out.............

you might want to hide, and use it in secret.......

there is an "anti Cell" cell, out there, in black ninga wear........or, dressed as rabbits.......watch for them.

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:51 pm

Isolation from the outside world is half the fun.

I was able to send a few texts last year at 4am, but that's about it.

Playa Foot · Post by **Playa Foot** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 5:10 pm

If you wrap your head in aluminum foil it will act as an antenna and you will get a signal.

Jackass · Post by **Jackass** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 5:58 pm

i want to be able to call my friends back home and tell them everything that i'm up to (OBVIOUSLY), but i heard that there is no cell service the whole week!! how do people survive out there? i can't just disappear for a week from everybody. is there a nearby town that i can go to if i need to make calls?

Welcome to eplaya sirfixalot or is it sirtalksalot? Listen, when you're done with the event and get back to civilization everyone you know will still be alive and reachable by your choice of communication device. As for how people survive out there, it has nothing to do with cell phones or computers. If you want wifi or twitter go spend the day at starbucks or stay at a plush hotel in Reno, don't be a sparkle pony!! Believe me if you're walking around with a phone to your ear looking for service you will be heckled to no end, you're the one who bought a ticket a decided to come out to the event, not your friends or your family so give that shit a break and enjoy yourself. Disconnect for once, I swear you won't start to melt and your friends and family WILL live through it. Don't be a sirtalksalot !!! Good day sir

Post by **Sham** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:08 pm

AntiM wrote:Sort of like crapping in the street.

AntiM, tell me more about crapping in the street. I just love it when you talk dirty!

This Woman · Post by **This Woman** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:49 pm

Welcome, SirFixalot!

Honestly, I say this with all due respect - fuck your friends. They did not pull their shit together to survive in a desert wasteland for a week. They did not buy a ticket that includes a you-may-well-die legal disclaimer on it. They did not read and research for hours on the fine art of MOOP collection or how to properly poop in the potties. They don't deserve your up to the minute updates, and you don't deserve to have your experience interrupted.

My passionate 2 cents

Jackass · Post by **Jackass** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 2:25 pm

This Woman wrote:Welcome, SirFixalot!

Honestly, I say this with all due respect - fuck your friends. They did not pull their shit together to survive in a desert wasteland for a week. They did not buy a ticket that includes a you-may-well-die legal disclaimer on it. They did not read and research for hours on the fine art of MOOP collection or how to properly poop in the potties. They don't deserve your up to the minute updates, and you don't deserve to have your experience interrupted.

My passionate 2 cents

I totally agree with you on this one, that's exactly the point I was getting at!!
If they wanna stay up to date they can take time out of their day to log on and watch what little they can see from the fixed camera at center camp.. fuck them!! If they want more tell them to quit being pusses and become vested in the event themselves or watch it on dvd or some shit... Don't be an enabler, stay off that phone! One day if shit hits the fan and you can't use that thing your gonna have to come up with a plan B (unglue phone from ear and re-learn other forms of communication)