Clueless Aussie - needs a ride or advice/guidance.

[amie_mole]

Hi burners, I am hoping that some of you will want to start your gifting right now.

Firstly I need some words of wisdom, I am completely clueless about most things like:
- packing (considering I have to buy most stuff when I get to the states)
- being involved like theme camps how does one become involved in one and what ones are out there this year??
- clothes or costumes perhaps?? exactly how cold does it get at night?
- I don't even know how to explain where I'm going to my mum.
- any other tips for first timers

Second this is my first time going to burning man and I am travelling from Sydney and I need a ride from any major US city hahaha I'm pretty flexible on departure date and city. For anyone considering sharing a ride with me you should know that I am 21 and basically as open minded as they come

Cheers

Amie

[mgb327]

Is it page 2 yet?

[amie_mole]

nearly...

[FIGJAM]

Google Assies going to burning man, and you will be suprised how much info there is.

[amie_mole]

*like*

[VultureChow]

Yeah.... Do a little research online first.

But on the subject of what to tell your Mom, it depends on who your mom is. I told mine the first time I went that it was an art festival where I camp out. She loves art and especially sculpture gardens, so I sent an email with some pictures of some of the large scale installations. So that was her introduction to it. Since then she's learned more about it. My dad, I told him I was going camping with a large group of people in a city built out of the desert. He's real estate with some urban planning background and I focused on the interesting aspects of infrastructure and law enforcement and permitting.

By now, they know a lot more about the event and what goes on there, but I came back in one piece, was able to call them every other day for like 30 seconds and they're comfortable with it.

[some seeing eye]

Start putting together a packing list. Many Burningman lists on the interwebs. There are many costume camps, so you need only bring the lightweight costume items from Oz. It does get cold at night, think maybe 8. It's a camp out, many people wear camping clothes at least some of the day. There are also some joining a camp threads. Burningman is a popular destination for Australians, and if you will be here for a while, there is a festival somewhere on the West Coast every weekend through September. As for the parents, it's a fire art and science festival where people from Silicon Valley and Hollywood vacation. For a time Google considered Burningman participation a plus for hiring. Have a great adventure!

[amie_mole]

hey mum I'm going to an arts and sustainable living festival, that may or may not be encouraged by google

[trilobyte]

Try not to be as helpless as the first post reads. If you take a few moments, you'll see that the Preparation board is filled with answers and ideas for nearly every aspect of Burning Man preparation. Seriously, people ask and talk about stuff there that I wouldn't have thought of in a million years. The Theme Camps board has information about how to either join or even start a camp, as well as a growing list of existing camps that may be looking for additional members. Aside from that, you may have missed a couple important links from the main site that are also linked in my signature: the Survival Guide is required reading for all burners, and the First Timer's Guide is required for, you guessed it, new burners.

As for the rideshare you're seeking, my guess would be that you probably need to get your act together just a little bit. On one hand it's great that your plans are flexible, but on the other you're not really providing any really useful information, other than you haven't done any homework (and therefore might end up flaking out). Any major US city? That seems implausibly flexible - for you to fly through places like Chicago, Miami, New York, or Boston could mean a much more expensive and much longer flight for you, not to mention that the cost of traveling to Burning Man would be much higher for you and your ride. Look at a map or check into the web site of one of the airlines you might book a flight through - see what cities make sense and narrow things down a bit. The more organized and prepared you appear to be, the more likely you are to get a ride, in my opinion.

Good luck!

[amie_mole]

Thanks buddddddy!

My complete lack of plan comes from the fact that I was given a ticket about 2 hours ago give or take, started to have a minor panic which was followed by a long winded cry for help

Give me 24 hours and *fingers crossed* I won't be quite the lost cause.

[ygmir]

indeed, Trilo, and others give good advice.
we do loves our Aussies, fairdinkum!

but, to stand and say "help me/carry me" , with subtle implication related to "open minded", as a post related to an event that is based around "radical self reliance", is a tough one.
It sort of colors you as "sparkle pony" (oh, I"m cute, do it for me and you can see my tits).

reading the "first timers guide" and other info on the main site, and doing your own research on threads mentioned here, then asking pertinent questions, when answers are not easy to find, will go a long way to establishing yourself as a "do-er" and not just a "take-er"

Good luck, and welcome.

[amie_mole]

muchos gracias chico!! cya in the dust and hopefully not with my tits out, and if they are out it will be strictly for my own enjoyment hahahaha

[Savannah]

Hi burners, I am hoping that some of you will want to start your gifting right now.

Firstly I need some words of wisdom, I am completely clueless about most things like:
- packing (considering I have to buy most stuff when I get to the states)

Start your packing list by going to the Survival Guide (Trilo linked it; it's also at the bottom of my post, here). The Guide is a must-read and you'll feel better for knowing it. There's a section called "Your Survival in BRC". There's a link in there called "Personal Survival Checklist". Open up Word or a spreadsheet, do a copy & paste, and you have begun your list.

- being involved like theme camps how does one become involved in one and what ones are out there this year??

2013 Theme Camps forum
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewforum.php?f=323

Read up and send a few prospective camps a nice letter telling them why they appeal to you, and any skills you might have. You'll want to read the Survival Guide--just take an hour & do it--and do some deep breathing before you contact them. Read the Guide a few more times after that. Burners are often pretty nice, but helplessness is a frightening thing in a campmate, so you'll want to rally your best can-do attitude.

- clothes or costumes perhaps?? exactly how cold does it get at night?

Clothes would be good. A warm coat, 2 pairs of well-broken-in footwear, and goggles to keep out the baby-powder-fine dust are a good start. (Bring those from home; don't buy those in the states if you can help it. They've all gotta fit well). Extra socks; more than 1 pair per day. A small backpack for your canteen/snack/goggles/bandannas/sunscreen/notepad/etc. No feathers, no loose glitter, nothing that sheds or frays. Nothing irreplaceable. Sew your name and email address (and camp name, if applicable) onto your bag. And label your camera.

I've felt it as cold as about 35-36F at night (ice on the ground!) and as hot as 113F, but it is most likely going to be 90F during the day, give or take 10 degrees, and 50F at night (also give or take 10 degrees). Something that is "sweatshirt weight" might get used the most, but you will still want something heavier for those nights that are so cold you can't @#$%in' believe it.

- I don't even know how to explain where I'm going to my mum.

"Going to an art festival in the Nevada desert, Mum, BRB."
"Oh, & I'd like army goggles and frequent flier miles for my birthday."

(Tell her there's medical care, police and fire, and the portapotties are pumped at least twice daily.)

- any other tips for first timers

Second this is my first time going to burning man and I am travelling from Sydney and I need a ride from any major US city hahaha I'm pretty flexible on departure date and city. For anyone considering sharing a ride with me you should know that I am 21 and basically as open minded as they come

I do not recommend admitting that to just anyone.

Welcome to the board.

[Dr. Pyro]

I do not recommend admitting that to just anyone.

Ygmir?

[Drawingablank]

[International Incident]

Oi, I resemble that comment...

[ygmir]

I do not recommend admitting that to just anyone.

Ygmir?

[International Incident]

I've spoken to Amie - the kid is alright!

But feel free to provide silly and unhelpful/helpful comments, assorted nonsense and odd pictures

Just don't tell her about the Daft Punk gig at the trash fence - that's "our secret"

[ygmir]

I've spoken to Amie - the kid is alright!

But feel free to provide silly and unhelpful/helpful comments, assorted nonsense and odd pictures

Just don't tell her about the Daft Punk gig at the trash fence - that's "our secret"

and remember, if you go on a "ride along" with me this year, we can see it from "backstage" outside the fence!!

[Elliot]

I've spoken to Amie - the kid is alright!

But feel free to provide silly and unhelpful/helpful comments, assorted nonsense and odd pictures

Just don't tell her about the Daft Punk gig at the trash fence - that's "our secret"

But... but...

...not with my tits out,...

She is already doing it wrong!

[Savannah]

I've spoken to Amie - the kid is alright!

But feel free to provide silly and unhelpful/helpful comments, assorted nonsense and odd pictures

Just don't tell her about the Daft Punk gig at the trash fence - that's "our secret"

But... but...

...not with my tits out,...

She is already doing it wrong!

I do it wrong, too.

[Elliot]

Having gotten my wise-crack in, I will add for the record that everyone is free to wear absolutely exactly what they want to wear in Black Rock City.

[International Incident]

I've spoken to Amie - the kid is alright!

But feel free to provide silly and unhelpful/helpful comments, assorted nonsense and odd pictures

Just don't tell her about the Daft Punk gig at the trash fence - that's "our secret"

and remember, if you go on a "ride along" with me this year, we can see it from "backstage" outside the fence!!

I'm looking forward to it mate

[theCryptofishist]

Clueless or not, we appreciate a newcomer to the board who can learn quickly.

[amie_mole]

Happy to report that in the last 20 hours I have gone from completely clueless to a (wo)man with a plan!! watch out Black Rock City I'm coming for you

But feel free to continue providing silly and unhelpful/helpful comments, assorted nonsense and odd pictures

[hippyDdoc]

Are we at page 2 yet, stay tuned...

[amie_mole]

...

[Dr. Dust]

Hitchhiking is dangerous, so I don't recommend it. However, if you fly into Reno, NV and hang out at store where burners are congregating in the parking lot, it would be a statistical anomaly if you didn't find a ride.

I always drive to Black Rock City, but for a lot of other events in Nevada and California, I'll simply park my car near the event and hitchhike the rest of the way. It's less convenient to do this for Burning Man but still a viable option nonetheless! Though I can't say I'd recommend it...

[C187]

In one more post you will be at page two, where I may or may not make a choice comment.

Until then consider figuring out where you are going to land at in North America. The farther east you go the harder it will be.
Be wary of theme-camps wanting to turn you into the cooking/bar/fluffer bitch volunteer in exchange for while camping with them.
Consider talking to local burners about what they do.
Keep your pack light.

Just don't tell her about the Daft Punk gig at the trash fence - that's "our secret"

and remember, if you go on a "ride along" with me this year, we can see it from "backstage" outside the fence!!

I'm looking forward to it mate

You may be in for a surprise. Don't mind that clanking sound.

[amie_mole]

"In one more post you will be at page two, where I may or may not make a choice comment."

call me curious...

oh and I'm landing in LA and transport sorted, I don't have the lady balls to hitch to the playa