Hi everyone, I'm Hillary from Los Angeles

glowinglassrose · Post by **glowinglassrose** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:15 pm

This summer will be my first burn (yay!) and I've really excited.

I'm coming with a small group (6-8 people) and we're mostly first-timers. We have successfully rented an RV. My friends kind of look towards me as the "organizer" of our group and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by what a large undertaking it seems to be to attend. I've been looking through pictures from past years though and I know it will be completely worth it.

This week my project has been to make a bunch of adult-sized hula hoops to bring with us. Next week I'm going in search of a beater-bike, then I'm going to decorate it!

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:18 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:22 pm

I strongly suggest reading threads in this (Tips and Tricks, Q & A) forum. You don't have to read them all, nor do you have to read all through the threads you do read, but poking around in here will get you more stuffed with information than anywhere else.
This thread might be a good place to record your progress, what tasks you do each week.

glowinglassrose · Post by **glowinglassrose** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:28 pm

I started out over on reddit in r/burningman and they directed me here. I've read the first timers guide and poked around http://www.burningman.com/ a bunch, but it's been great to meet people on the forums and be able to ask questions. I'll definitely check out the Tips and Tricks forums!

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:42 pm

Welcome!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:19 pm

Welcome to eplaya! You sound like the creative one of your group....Id force the Not "mostly first-timers" to help out on the survival and gear planning. Unless, they really failed at previous burns....in that case, read tips and tricks. read it anyway...

Post by **Savannah** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:41 pm

Hi Glowingglassrose!

This is my favorite thread to suggest to people taking an RV for the first time:

Suggestions for House Rules for Renting an RV
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=34551

Key things seem to be a group agreement to never go No. 2 in the RV, or it will smell like hell by the end of the week . . . (use the portajohns, they're actually cleaned a lot) and as Fishy recommended the other week, a group contribution towards the cleaning deposit is nice, instead of a lot out of pocket from one person who will grow steadily more bitter if/when they don't get the deposit back.

Also, if you want the RV pumped during the week, apparently you have to schedule it in advance rather than flag down a truck as in years past:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=39108

Dont be scared, but if you are--rest assured that's normal. However, if you prepare to the teeth, release your expectations and maintain a great attitude it might be an excellent time (I have never RV'd it even once, and I'm a huge girly girl--and have a great time. So might you). Best of luck.