Belgian virgin preparing for BM 2012

Dimitri · Post by **Dimitri** » Tue May 03, 2011 5:32 am

Hi guys & gals! Early, I know.

I'm Dimitri, a 24 years old guy from the cosy beer-brewing town of Westmalle, Belgium.
I've stumbled across the burning man website by accident and after turning it inside out and reading up on all of the playa tales I'm SUPER psyched about BM.
This might just be the experience and y'all might just be the people that I've been looking for al these years.
Total freedom, no judgement, 100% love, super self-expression & creativity, it seems like a utopia.
I'm a bit socially challenged but that shyness is just what I'm hoping to kill on my first BM.

I explained my future plan to a couple of friend but I predict that I'll be going alone in the end. I've yet to find a friend equally openminded as me.

I'm planning to explore SF for a few days before leaving to BRC, it would be great if someone would be willing to show me around.
I will also have plenty of space in my rented SUV/pickup when departing from San Fran so I'm hoping to pick up some strangers along the way!

Sayonarra and see you next year!

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue May 03, 2011 5:44 am

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

Post by **Savannah** » Tue May 03, 2011 10:21 am

Hi Dimitri! You probably wont have any trouble finding a person to at least ride along with you--perhaps through this board (and there will be a 2011 rideshare board up soon enough at rideshare.burningman.com, but right now it's still 2010). Rides are like gold for someone in need. Better than gold. To hell with gold! Gold killed my whole family.

You've already got your rental in place, right? That's something you want to lock down fairly quickly if leaving from SF and you want your pick of vehicles.

If there is one thing I would tell you, it's this: put your expectations in a box and poke some holes in it, and you can let it back out when the event is over. Expect only: dust, art, a lot of cheerful people and probably a pretty big bonfire at the end of the week. (It's a pretty great environment to work on killing your shyness, but you will still want to meet that halfway by trying new things.) It's not even total freedom: No guns, no fireworks, 1-ply t.p. only, no feathers, & abide federal drug laws.

That said, I hope you have an amazing time, and if you prepare to the teeth and keep that beautiful attitude, your chances are very good.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue May 03, 2011 11:30 am

High stress, some jerks around, but worth the trip.

Some people still experience shyness.

Talk to people there.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue May 03, 2011 4:59 pm

Dimitri wrote:Total freedom, no judgement, 100% love, super self-expression & creativity, it seems like a utopia.

It's a few notches down from that, just so you know.

Savannah, I wouldn't rely on anyone whose second (or third, or forth) language is English knowing that t.p. is toilet paper. Even then I'm not sure that's the particular combination of words that would trigger the knowledge. There are a number of euphemisms used.
Dimitri--finding one-ply toilet paper is a little difficult, americans love softness next to their asses. You have to go to recreational vehicle stores or Walgreens has it. I'm sure that there are other places, but if it's an easy thing to find in Belgium you might want to bring a roll.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue May 03, 2011 5:40 pm

The toilet paper I buy is one ply anyway.
Dissolves easier than the special rv paper too.

Post by **Savannah** » Tue May 03, 2011 6:25 pm

Savannah, I wouldn't rely on anyone whose second (or third, or forth) language is English knowing that t.p. is toilet paper. Even then I'm not sure that's the particular combination of words that would trigger the knowledge. There are a number of euphemisms used.
Dimitri--finding one-ply toilet paper is a little difficult, americans love softness next to their asses. You have to go to recreational vehicle stores or Walgreens has it. I'm sure that there are other places, but if it's an easy thing to find in Belgium you might want to bring a roll.

That's a good point. I think I was lulled into a false sense of security by the quality/word choice of his English, which looks native (even if it isn't).

For anyone who needs to know: small rolls of 1-ply toilet paper are often located in the Travel Sizes section of drugstores large and small, & in the Travel Sizes and Camping Sections of large shopping centers.

Scott tissue makes a variety of 1-ply for those who want a big roll.

Dimitri · Post by **Dimitri** » Fri May 06, 2011 6:59 am

And yet way too many typo's in my post ^_^.

But indeed, 1-ply t.p. may look ??? for a non-native speaker but thinking back to the good old Beavis & Butthead days I knew what it meant.
I did not know about it having to be 1-ply though so thank you for that tip!

And yes, I know it's not tooootal freedom but compared to "defaultia", for me it definitly is.

Anyway, I'm already working on / looking at wonderful gifts for all my future playa neighbours.

I can't attend this year because I'm going to the Sziget Festival in Budapest but I will make it my personal goal to share some playa love over there, gifting and helping others during my stay as well as decorating my temporary home.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri May 06, 2011 7:03 am

welcome Dimitri!!
to bad you can't make it this year........but, better to make your decision, early, and not "waffle" on the plans..............

Post by **Savannah** » Fri May 06, 2011 10:43 am

But indeed, 1-ply t.p. may look ??? for a non-native speaker but thinking back to the good old Beavis & Butthead days I knew what it meant.
I did not know about it having to be 1-ply though so thank you for that tip!

I LOVE it that Beavis & Butthead taught you the American abbreviation for toilet paper. I can't believe they were good for something.

I hope my bungholio does not get polio! -- Beavis

Belgian virgin preparing for BM 2012

Belgian virgin preparing for BM 2012

Re: Belgian virgin preparing for BM 2012