Oh no! More Belgians!

jobelz · Post by **jobelz** » Fri May 27, 2011 11:34 am

Aloha Burners!

I thought I'd introduce myself after turning this (and other) websites upside down in order to plan my first BM trip.
A friend and myself managed to get things sorted just now and you'll find us on the playa this year! I was looking for a trip to put things in perspective after rebuilding a house solo for over a year now, when my friend told me about BM and how we should be there in 2011. The more I read about it, the more it was clear what our destination should be. 8)

It's been quite the experience wading through all the available info and trying to prepare as good as possible. I'm glad we got transportation of out the way. The flight to Reno is booked, the car is booked, the bikes are booked. We decided to rent a car with separate trunk (no need to open anything else: dust phobia!) to stock our things and buy a big tent to hopefully get some sleep now and then.

However, I have the feeling the biggest part of prep is still upon us. Deciding what to buy in Belgium, what to buy in the US (dollar being low is a plus), deciding on gifts (Belgium = beer, chocolate, waffles and fries... beer needs to be chilled; chocolate melts; no way to bake waffles or fries unless the desert heat is worse than expected), planning to get some dry ice, planning a hotel for a night before and after, buying outfits, ... Impending brain implosion! :D

In any case, I've never been more excited about a trip, looking forward to it. As always, good advice is appreciated and a big thanks for all the good info so far!

J.

Trishntek · Post by **Trishntek** » Fri May 27, 2011 11:41 am

Welcome home!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri May 27, 2011 12:14 pm

All those food problems can be worked around. You're likely to have trouble bringing in much beer. Be sure to check the U.S. Customs website to find out the legal limit.

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Fri May 27, 2011 12:16 pm

Uchronia...aka The Belgium Waffle...was built by a group from Belgium in 2006:

Awesome!

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri May 27, 2011 12:47 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

Post by **Savannah** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:29 pm

Hi jobelz! You sound like an excellent planner.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri May 27, 2011 7:48 pm

dragonpilot wrote:Uchronia...aka The Belgium Waffle...was built by a group from Belgium in 2006:

Awesome!

So we are going to hang this around the neck of everyone from Belgium?

Lowz · Post by **Lowz** » Fri May 27, 2011 11:05 pm

hi and bienvenue !

Bring a Gilles costumes and orange what else !

jobelz · Post by **jobelz** » Sat May 28, 2011 2:08 am

Thanks for the warm welcome people! I've seen the waffle before and I agree it was amazing. We're talking about doing something small scale art-wise. After all, it's our first burn and art will be more organizing. Daunting.

Belgium does lend its general weirdness for great themes and costumes however. We're a tiny country but filled with colorful traditions and contradictions. And oh yes: no government. For over a year now. Strange thing is things just keep rolling on and most people don't really care. :wink:

The information about importing stuff is somewhat weird. Some people say 1 liter some claim bring what you want and act dumb, don't declare it. I'm guessing playing it safe and nicely following procedures might be the better option.

I was just thinking that we possibly have a spot or two to share in our car, from Reno depending on how much we stock up, I'll post that up on the ridesharing section asap.

Cheers,
J[/url]

Bob Bitchen · Post by **Bob Bitchen** » Sat May 28, 2011 5:02 am

Welcome

Sschade · Post by **Sschade** » Sat May 28, 2011 6:15 pm

Hi and Welcome! have a safe and happy trip out to the playa

Clar-i-ty · Post by **Clar-i-ty** » Sat May 28, 2011 6:37 pm

My hats off to anyone who does this from overseas. That's some dedication!

Did someone say Waffles?

Post by **Savannah** » Sat May 28, 2011 7:37 pm

I feel the same. Anyone who manages to cross the pond to burn, and burn well, is a brave and enterprising soul.

thisisthatwhichis · Post by **thisisthatwhichis** » Sat May 28, 2011 8:14 pm

What a Bergin!!!... I wanna hug you all before you even get here....

Come by the Booby Bar.... we have gifts for you!!!.....(well, and everyone else, too)......

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sun May 29, 2011 11:29 am

theCryptofishist wrote:
dragonpilot wrote:Uchronia...aka The Belgium Waffle...was built by a group from Belgium in 2006:

Awesome!
So we are going to hang this around the neck of everyone from Belgium?

Well, 1 persons cross is somebodies elses bling

welcome to eplaya jobelz!

MisaBlue · Post by **MisaBlue** » Sun May 29, 2011 11:36 am

Hi Jobelz and welcome!

As far as I know, it is allowed to bring 1 litre of alcohol legally.
I am usually bringing 2 litres (in two bottles, so if they find it, I can still keep one

)...and I dont spend it on beer (and I would love to bring some special beer) but rather home made alcohol from plums

I found out, it is cheaper to buy most of the things in USA and travel light on plane.

Good luck!
It is only 97 days till Man burns

jobelz · Post by **jobelz** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:16 am

Thanks again people, I'll be sure to throw some gifts your way.

I've settled on a suitable beer to bring, something that's available in cans. The one litre rule is somewhat limiting and while I'd have no problem declaring stuff to customs, weight will be an issue. My brother thought that it might be good to just package a bunch of cans up and send them with DHL or similar to Reno, and pick them up there. Any thoughts on that?

We're still debating tents too: one big tent, or several small ones. I'm thinking the latter could be better, since they're more wind resistant. However, if nature decides to throw dust at us the whole week, being stuck in a small tent may not be ideal...

We'll be bringing the minimum by plane, buying the rest there. Supermarkets are open every day as far as I gathered?

Cheers,
J.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:40 am

Welcome home jobelz! Dust is going to be everywhere, so your tent choice is up to you. Just make sure to anchor them well, or maybe tie a safety line to your car. Supermarkets are open 24/7 and may have pallets of water waiting for you. They will be waiting for us. Best of luck!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 9:20 am

Just the finest horse breed.

The Hustler · Post by **The Hustler** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 1:12 pm

I haven't been to Belgium since I was a kid. I may sneak back with you.

Oh yea, welcome to ePlaya and see you in BRC.

graidawg · Post by **graidawg** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 1:41 pm

jobelz wrote:Thanks for the warm welcome people! I've seen the waffle before and I agree it was amazing. We're talking about doing something small scale art-wise. After all, it's our first burn and art will be more organizing. Daunting.

Belgium does lend its general weirdness for great themes and costumes however. We're a tiny country but filled with colorful traditions and contradictions. And oh yes: no government. For over a year now. Strange thing is things just keep rolling on and most people don't really care.

The information about importing stuff is somewhat weird. Some people say 1 liter some claim bring what you want and act dumb, don't declare it. I'm guessing playing it safe and nicely following procedures might be the better option.

I was just thinking that we possibly have a spot or two to share in our car, from Reno depending on how much we stock up, I'll post that up on the ridesharing section asap.

Cheers,
J[/url]

no goverment? at the headquaters of the EU? wtf? this is a good thing as far as i can tell and i am moving to belgium, whats the gun policy there?

jobelz · Post by **jobelz** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:11 pm

graidawg wrote:no goverment? at the headquaters of the EU? wtf? this is a good thing as far as i can tell and i am moving to belgium, whats the gun policy there?

Well yea, we have three comunities in Belgium. Flemish (dutch) speaking, French speaking and German speaking. Flemish and French can't seem to agree after the last election, so they've been trying to form a government for over a year now.

Guns are very restricted here, you need a special license and can't carry them around. There'd be dead politicians else.