Hiya! Seattle lurker finally saying Hello =)

[kelsbelles13]

Well hello there burners! I've been a long time lurker, 11 years now (zomg has it been that long!?!!?) and finally have the opportunity to participate in the event this year. I have always felt that when the time was right, the circumstances would present themselves and things would work out. After RV rental, playaoutfits in the works, supply list created, one by one my friends had to back out for unfortunate reasons. So I allowed myself some time for disappointment, but now am determined more than ever to make this work. Radical self-reliance, right? Doesn't mean I can't reach out to the community though and ask for assistance though

Some questions I'm hoping people could help with. I've read the guides and tips forwards and backwards. To try and camp on my own (not to mention I have no gear, hence the original RV idea) seems way overwhelming and I would much rather experience the week with a group. I am very much able to assist in whatever needs to be done to make it a success for all involved to benefit. I've tried to join a theme camp, but with no success. I've also posted to the ride board and other various forums. Some people I know will also be attending this year, but I've heard it's almost impossible to try and meet up with them. Is this an impossible feat or should I just try and find and camp with them... somehow.

Any leads/advice you guys could pass along to this very excited, but very nervous virgin burner coming from Seattle?

[illy dilly]

Welcome to ePlaya!
No its not impossible to find them. You just have to plan very well!
There is always Playa info! Thats an easy way to locate people.

What day are they arriving and what day do you plan to arrive? Would it be possible to ride there with them?

You can also make signs to help find each other. "We're going to put a sign on the end Porta Pottie closest to the man at the intersection of 3:30 and G"

Good luck preparing! If you have more specific questions about preparation we can better help answer them.

Godda ask, do you have your ticket yet?

[Savannah]

You've lurked for 11 years?!? Excuse me while I lie down on the divan to settle my nerves.

Okay, I have recovered myself.

Welcome to the board! . . . I love it that your friends backing out only made you more determined to go. Friends dropping out is a Burning Man tradition. No one needs a calendar when we have cancellations to mark May & June . . .

It's not at all impossible to meet up with friends there. Just tricky . . . which means there are tricks to solve it. First: are your friends placed? It can be difficult to hold space for an RV, but if they actually are willing and able--and you know where they'll be--you can give them the dimensions of your RV, and they can try.

If you're all rolling in when Gates open, it can be harder to meet up right away. You can aim for the same Open Camping area (white blocks, not purple, on the map) and exchange camp/RV descriptions, but all parties might need to park and then list their addresses (to the nearest 5 minutes) at Playa Info at Center Camp. Your friends might be able to save you a spot if you ask them to. Then you visit Playa Info, take a bike trip to scout ahead and find them, and see if they succeeded in holding you space. If yes, roll out.

Here are two RV threads you might like if 1) you add a rideshare and/or 2nd sleeper, or 2) want to schedule a grey water pump.

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=34551

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=39108

My favorite tips even if you stay solo: don't go number 2 in an RV (or let anybody else do it) & don't leave the awning up for shade when you leave camp.

[kelsbelles13]

Thanks for the quick responses! Great idea about the signs, illy dilly. That, along with some pre-set meeting times and locations and hopefully I'll be able to catch up with them (since we'll be traveling from opposite directions).

I'm glad you recovered yourself Savannah! hahaha That is definitely a record I hope noone else has to endure. Unfortunately the RV had to be cancelled with the uncertainty of everything happening. Although I would have preferred to sleep in an RV, it looks as though I'll be tenting it up if no RV options come across my path. I'm gonna poke around those RV links, thanks, and perhaps someone will mention they are looking for another person! I'm feeling a lot better knowing that Playa Info is available since my friends are not part of a theme camp and are not placed.

Yes! Ticket acquired! And what a beauty she is =)

[illy dilly]

Yes! Ticket acquired! And what a beauty she is =)

O thank god! You sound like an awesome gal and I'd hate for you to miss another burn due to lack of ticket!

[Savannah]

If you guys decide to try meeting at landmarks in addition to the Playa Info registration, and the landmark is a big one (like the Man, Center Camp, Plaza 3 or Plaza 9) specify at least the North or South (etc) side. Because with hats and shades and playa clothes on, you will be squinting 50 yards away and wondering "Is that . . . ?" or miss them altogether. And a window of time (like Noon-12:15) and a contingency for a daily repeat (if worse comes to worse, though it probably won't).

The reason for specifying addresses to the nearest 5 minutes is that if you specify an address to the nearest half hour (like 8:00 & D, or 8:30 and H) is that unless one is on the corner, such an address can actually mean 50-100 yards in any of the 4 directions from that address, and on either side of the street. It can be a little demoralizing. The best sets of directions are stuff like "7:40 and C, West side of street, blue dome, 3 RVs, [camp name if applicable]."

[illy dilly]

The very specific hourly address is important!
Something else to keep in mind is license plates. If the people are from anywhere other than California, license plate info can help. Some people last year couldn't find us because they were looking for the CO license plates... Sadly we had just bought the RV so there was only a paper tag in the back.

Also very help full are signs and flags or things of that nature.
We have a tye dye CO flag. Its on about a 25' flag pole, its not so tall that it will guide you home, but if you get to the correct street it will help you find the camp!

[trilobyte]

11 years is an awfully long time to spend in a coccoon, I can only imagine how joyful it will be when you get to spread your wings for the first time, so to speak.

Okay, sorry, forgive the butterfly metaphor. But hey, AWESOME! Congratulations, I know how strange and bizarre our wonderful world seems at first ("so, for your vacation you're going to go camping? In a desert?"). All the above is good advice. What I'd add is that the passage of time can be a strange and unusual experience out there. Most of us tend to shed watches, cell phones, and other markers of time, and take to using terms like "sunrise/sunset/day-thirty/noonish". Meeting at someone's camp tends to work a little easier for me, if possible send pics of any landmarks (signs or symbols). Playa Info is a great resource too - once you have your spot and you're all set up, check in there and put in your details (and have them do the same). Periodically check back (as you're exploring the city) until you find your friend's information, then you'll have a much clearer idea of where you're headed to find them.

Good luck!

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[kelsbelles13]

ah, such great advice and support!

much love

[Lucian]

When trying to find friends, we make a plan to meet at Center Camp on a certain day. Like Monday night at dusk. Actual times are squishy and it's rude to ask what time it is on the Playa. It's always now.

If you want to ride down with a group from Portland with a stop at Summer Lake Hot Springs (Vendors, bands, etc) ... Just grab your tent and head down. We leave for the playa on Saturday Morning the 27th.

Lucian -
[email protected]

[Savannah]

I would not say it's rude to ask what time it is on the playa, but a few people may very well be rude in response.

[Rabbette]

Well hi there!

11 years - gee whiz I didn't know anyone could spy that long and still come out to say hi, I would have thought you would be a hermit by now

[trilobyte]

I didn't mean to imply that suggesting a specific time or asking for the time was rude in any way, it's just that the concept of time changes out there.

[dragonpilot]

Don't worry about tenting...I dare say more than half the participants use tents or some kind of tent-like structure. Not everyone can afford an RV. That said, try to position near someone else's camp when you arrive that seems to have their shit together...as in a nice ample shade structure. Chocolate chip cookies will break the ice, get to know your neighbors, and soon you'll be a welcome guest to while away the hours away from noon day sun. Even if you're able to make it in an RV, take your tent and set it up anyway. You'll be thankful for a space to call your own you can retreat to when you need it...trust me.

Plan meals that don't require a lot of preparation. Don't worry about the possibility of not having a hot meal everyday. Myself, I crave cool, green salads on the playa. Romaine seems to do best...wait to buy it until you're just ready to leave...same for other perishables. Altho you'll be fully prepared food-wise, you'll likely find numerous camps in the area that offer a variety of meals, drinks and snacks that they are offering to share...

Try to take two coolers...one for daily access and one for longer term storage that you don't open a lot. Look at the Coleman Extreme coolers or the likes thereof.

Daily hygiene is also easy. Bring a garden sprayer and stand in one of your plastic packing bins, spritz down, lather/wash, rinse...repeat as necessary. About two cups of water will give you a nice cleansing supplemented by lots of baby wipes. Pour your wash water into an empty water bottle. An alternative is to visit the Human Carcass Wash located with PolyParadise Camp...open daily.

Good luck! You'll do just fine!

[Savannah]

I didn't mean to imply that suggesting a specific time or asking for the time was rude in any way, it's just that the concept of time changes out there.

I was aiming for Lucian.

[jella]

wow profesional lurker status for sure welcome, glad you finally decided to jump in. All very good tips. Not sure if anyone already mentioned it but you can also register your name once you know your address, I forget the exact place, post office maybe, or is it center camp ? anywho you'll do fine , make new friends while your looking for your old ones

[Savannah]

wow profesional lurker status for sure welcome, glad you finally decided to jump in. All very good tips. Not sure if anyone already mentioned it but you can also register your name once you know your address, I forget the exact place, post office maybe, or is it center camp ? anywho you'll do fine , make new friends while your looking for your old ones

"Playa Info", yes indeed. Center Camp!

[kelsbelles13]

[quote="Lucian"]Actual times are squishy and it's rude to ask what time it is on the Playa. It's always now.

If you want to ride down with a group from Portland with a stop at Summer Lake Hot Springs (Vendors, bands, etc) ... Just grab your tent and head down. We leave for the playa on Saturday Morning the 27th.[/quote]

I love that mindset of it is always 'now'. Hoping to embrace that fully while I'm there. I've heard of the hot springs as it was recommended by someone else as well! An email will be sent to ya shortly =)

I'm so glad I didn't become a hermit, Rabbette haha Never gave up hope... year after year after year, lol

The food advice is solid. I was originally thinking of just bringing dry foods, but salads and also some homemade goodies will def keep my spirits up throughout the week moreso than the prepackaged stuffs. I gotta start researching baked goods that will last the longest!

[illy dilly]

The food advice is solid. I was originally thinking of just bringing dry foods, but salads and also some homemade goodies will def keep my spirits up throughout the week moreso than the prepackaged stuffs. I gotta start researching baked goods that will last the longest!

You Probably already now this, but a good substitute for warm meals are dehydrated meal packs, like Mountain House


I really like the Chicken al'a King, honestly haven't tried the breakfast ones yet.

And then get one of these cheap guys,


They don't come with the propane can, but the propane cans are 2.89 at wally world.
There are also really nice backpacking ones that are nice and small, but they will cost you.

[Savannah]

Kelsbelles, your quotes and other tags will work if you click . . .

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