Ready to return for the Rite Of Passage

[jonthebastard]

Greetings, fellow Burners!

I first made it to the playa in 2008 with a group of friends. It was a fantastic experience that was, sadly, cut short due to a tib/fib fracture I incurred while chasing a water truck. Thus, I spent Friday through Sunday in a hospital in Sparks, and now have a metal bar in my leg to show for my incident.

I have been absent from Black Rock City ever since, due to heading back to school a few weeks after getting out of the hospital. Now I'm done with college and enjoying a short bit of time before I head back to the grindstone and look for full-time work. I nabbed a ticket to this year's festival the day they went onsale, and now that the event is sold out, I realized that I'd better get myself in gear if I want to actually make it to the city!

Thus, with a little over a month to go... here I am.

[illy dilly]

Hell Yeah Bastard! (or do you prefer Jon?)
Welcome to ePlaya!
Thank you for not asking for a ticket in your intro thread!

I'm sorry to hear about your leg! Though, that is one kick ass Burning Man story!
Hopefully this year will go off with out any injuries!

You did wait tell the last minute to start getting ready but at least you gave your self 32 days!

Who all you traveling with? How you getting there? Where ya staying when you get there?

[Savannah]

Hi Jon! Welcome to the board.

You will probably have a better Burn this time, just based on the odds!

(Have you got a Garden Sprayer now? Those work pretty well and generate very little grey water.)

[illy dilly]

(Have you got a Garden Sprayer now? Those work pretty well and generate very little grey water.)

They also generate a lot less broken legs!

[Savannah]

I believe that was implied.

[jonthebastard]

Who all you traveling with? How you getting there? Where ya staying when you get there?

Actually, that's why I'm here. I have no plans yet, and need help getting there. I just have a ticket and a dream to fulfill.

I've got access to funds, primarily. Whether that means gas, food, water, whatever, I've got enough to help out a bit, in addition to paying for my own supplies. I live in the East Bay of California but can get anywhere that's reachable by public transit.

[Savannah]

Jonathan, visit this link & make a post:
http://rideshare.burningman.com

Rideshares are usually just rides . . . so if you also want a camp (not a must, but might be helpful) go to the 2011 Theme Camps forum several steps below this one. There are still a number of camps seeking people. They like reasonably detailed letters of introduction wherein you explain what you have to offer and why you fit in with their goal.

[jonthebastard]

I'll check the Theme Camps forum; a quick glance had it seeming that most places were full, but I suppose I didn't look deep enough.

I DID post on Rideshares, however, so fingers crossed for that, too.

[illy dilly]

OK,
Sounds like you're on the first steps.
Do you know how to drive? If so don't forget to put that in the Ride Share forum. It always helps if you know how to drive.

I'd make a list of things you know you NEED, and things you know you WANT.
Food
Water
Way to cook food. 1 burner propane stoves are very effective for solo campers.
Sun screen
Tent
Something to sleep on
Cup (gifted drinks require a cup)

Are the most basic of things you need.

[Savannah]

I'll check the Theme Camps forum; a quick glance had it seeming that most places were full, but I suppose I didn't look deep enough.

Indeed you didn't. I've just looked on that forum and I've found 3 camps still accepting members and I didn't even get to the bottom of the first page. After three I stopped looking. I want to encourage Radical Self-Reliance in you (a Burn principle) so I will give you the name of just one: Hookah Lounge.

Okay, go!

[jonthebastard]

OK,
Sounds like you're on the first steps.
Do you know how to drive? If so don't forget to put that in the Ride Share forum. It always helps if you know how to drive.

I'd make a list of things you know you NEED, and things you know you WANT.
Food
Water
Way to cook food. 1 burner propane stoves are very effective for solo campers.
Sun screen
Tent
Something to sleep on
Cup (gifted drinks require a cup)

Are the most basic of things you need.

I'm actually pretty set on knowing what to get; I will start buying once I know I have a WAY to get there. Last time I went I survived primarily on packaged stuff and had the occasional Bacon & Bloody Mary. The main difference was that I slept in my car, as my air mattress died within the first day. I am, however, still possessed of my cup, and I think my tent.

Indeed you didn't. I've just looked on that forum and I've found 3 camps still accepting members and I didn't even get to the bottom of the first page. After three I stopped looking. I want to encourage Radical Self-Reliance in you (a Burn principle) so I will give you the name of just one: Hookah Lounge.

Okay, go!

Oh man, the Hookahdome was a wonderful spot the last time I went. I'll have to check out a few more on that list. I am only hesitant to be in a theme camp because I'm worried about the time commitment. I've had friends tell me of stories of getting rides in theme camps, only to spend most of the time working for the camp and not getting to go out. However, per your suggestion, I fired off a few PMs to people looking for campmates. Fingers crossed!

And speaking of radical self-reliance: Last time I went, I couldn't venture from my camp without a friend. This time I am determined to go out and spend each day discovering myself.

[jonthebastard]

Oh, I forgot to mention, illy dilly: I can... PROBABLY drive, but I didn't put that in the Rideshare. Mostly because I haven't driven since I drove to the playa in 2008, before I broke my leg.

[Savannah]

Hookah Dome and Hookah Lounge are different--I think. You're the one whom it'll be important to, so I'll let you look into it.

But yes, the cautionary tales exist. Theme camps do require work or money or both, and there is potential for mismanagement or drama, so only align yourself with one that seems like something you really really love to do, and has responsible, savvy people.

I don't camp with a theme camp, myself. I volunteer; the rest of the time is my own. I love it!

[illy dilly]

Oh, I forgot to mention, illy dilly: I can... PROBABLY drive, but I didn't put that in the Rideshare. Mostly because I haven't driven since I drove to the playa in 2008, before I broke my leg.

LOL! O man, thats kinda scary!
Tell some folks,
"Yeah, I can drive that big truck over loaded truck towing that over filled trailer.... Probably. I just haven't driven in 3 years"

Just throwing it out there.
I would start buying now. It will give you time to find the best deals. If you wait tell the last minute it will cost you more!

[illy dilly]

Hey john check this out!

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=42204