Dutch hitchhiker and complete newbie

[Countess Curious]

Hiii Great Bruning people

My first post yeah B) Not sure what to tell you guys, but ill tell something bout myself. My name is Laurien. Im from Groningen,The Netherlands. I love dancing, talking, sleeping, food, my cat, aah actually i love all kinds of stuff Currently im studying Biology(Love nature too ) and hopefully im finished this june. So ive got some plans traveling in north and south America, before i start the real, working/boring life

I've allready checked this forum a bit, but i cound't find a topic about it yet. Im soooo bad with forums! Such a noob i am So i hope there's not yet a post like this!
Anyway, i Don't like traveling around alone. So my question is: Are there some burners around, that would love traveling with me (and others maybe)? Ill probably start in South Carolina, but im open for suggestions Also searching for people offering me a place to sleep and who would love meeting me of course. Where should i absolutely go when im on the other side of the great big blue? And is there maybe someone who would love sharing an RV or tent with me so we could split the costs and be happy folk together ? Soo much questions, haha.

Love from the netherlands

[TT120]

Hello and welcome to ePlaya!

[Elliot]

Hey there, Countess! Welcome to ePlaya. 40 years ago I toured the entire continental USA for three months in an old station-wagon. It was a marvelous experience. I centered my travels on my hobby-interests, and drove basically from event to event in that field. And I looked up people I had read about in that hobby, and of course I met people at the events. So I bet you could do something similar. The Regional BM network might be a place to start.

EDIT to add: Good on you for uploading a cool avatar.

[9ah]

Welcome!

South Carolina is an interesting start, I do love that state. Make sure to set up a CouchSurfing profile ([url]couchsurfing.com[/[url]) if you haven't already. I used it for years although I haven't been active in a while. I've only done 34 of the states so far, but if you plan on heading over to NH I'd be interested in the trek...

[Countess Curious]

Hey there, Countess! Welcome to ePlaya. 40 years ago I toured the entire continental USA for three months in an old station-wagon. It was a marvelous experience. I centered my travels on my hobby-interests, and drove basically from event to event in that field. And I looked up people I had read about in that hobby, and of course I met people at the events. So I bet you could do something similar. The Regional BM network might be a place to start.

EDIT to add: Good on you for uploading a cool avatar.

Hi Elliot, Thanks for sharing your experiences with me! Ive to be honest to be a bit scared to drive in countries ive never been before. My american friends told me traffic in America is completely insane compared to dutch traffic, haha. And im not sure if i can afford to buy me a car, unless i could share the expenses with fellow travelers.

I like your avatar too. Ones i googled burning man and found that picture. Your avatar is famous !!!

[Countess Curious]

Welcome!

South Carolina is an interesting start, I do love that state. Make sure to set up a CouchSurfing profile ([url]couchsurfing.com[/[url]) if you haven't already. I used it for years although I haven't been active in a while. I've only done 34 of the states so far, but if you plan on heading over to NH I'd be interested in the trek...

Im not sure what to do. But my plans for so far are: I arrive in South Carolina, travel along the eastcoast. Then travel, by plane, car, horse, whatever to burning man. And then after burning man, travel the westcoast and lateron to the south to chili:D What a journey! Not sure if ill get till NH. Only have 3 weeks for the east coast

[9ah]

Well if you stop in NYC and are over 21 I'm up to meet up for a few drinks. I've had nothing but positive interactions with ya Dutch folks!

[Elliot]

... Ive to be honest to be a bit scared to drive in countries ive never been before. My american friends told me traffic in America is completely insane compared to dutch traffic, haha. And im not sure if i can afford to buy me a car, unless i could share the expenses with fellow travelers.

Well, it is true that American drivers lack driving skills and courtesy. If you stop for a pedestrian to cross the street here, you will get rear-ended.
I have not been to Holland, but I have been to Norway, and I'm thinking those two countries should be similar.
But you can do it. Just take it easy and let the aggressive drivers go around you. I did it at 21.

Used cars may be significantly cheaper here than in Holland. It depends on how much import duty and VAT and so forth you have in Holland. In Norway, the state doubles the price of a new car, at least.

[9ah]

You may also want to look into Megabus, it's pretty extensive here. Greyhound/Peter Pan bus service as well. LIkely a lower cost/higher frequency than you currently have in AMS/NED.

[BoyScoutGirl]

Definitely seconding 9ah's advice: Megabus + Couchsurfing = very thrifty travel in the eastern US.

If you've only got three weeks, you'll really need to pick and choose. It's really easy to underestimate the size of the US - don't try to get to too many places! For east coast USA, I'd say the highlight cities are Washington, DC; Philadelphia; and New York City. Plenty of small places with lots of charm but they're a bit harder to get to by bus.

Don't forget that packing and preparing for Burning Man takes time, especially if you don't have your own transportation. Good luck!

[theCryptofishist]

When you travel do you like to see historical sites and museums? nightlife? flea markets? landscapes? go swimming? in the ocean? I think those are the questions you have to ask yourself, and then decide what places fit.

[9ah]

Fishy and Scout stop being sensible!!! Kidding.... I'm not sure what you want to see, but I'd suggest getting to Columbia (if you're not flying into there and maybe head to Raleigh or Charlotte for a couple days. From there you can take Megabus to DC. Buy tickets in advance, while they are super cheap, under $15USD, since most locations let you switch departures on site for 5$. Since you're foreign you can like get away with a 'the date format confused me and I bought the wrong date/time' shtick. .... from DC take Megabus to Philly, then to NYC. From NYC you can jump up to Boston for a day trip. Take the earliest bus up and come back on the latest one. From NYC fly to Reno and buy your stuff, get to playa, make it back alive and in one piece. Then either find a rideshare to SF from the playa or Megabus from Reno or Sparks to SF. See the West Coast/SW then go home happy. Tada!

[trilobyte]

Hello and welcome to ePlaya. I'm not sure if you missed the bits of the main site that talk about it, or just didn't spend much time with the search function, or if it's just because this is still very much the off-season... but there are a few different resources for working out a rideshare. First, as we get into the spring the Burning Man rideshare board will open up. On ePlaya, the appropriate place to post and look for rides and traveling partners is the Share Resources board. You're welcome to post there now, though you'll probably want to check back in your thread periodically as we get into spring and summer. Good luck!

[Countess Curious]

... Ive to be honest to be a bit scared to drive in countries ive never been before. My american friends told me traffic in America is completely insane compared to dutch traffic, haha. And im not sure if i can afford to buy me a car, unless i could share the expenses with fellow travelers.

Well, it is true that American drivers lack driving skills and courtesy. If you stop for a pedestrian to cross the street here, you will get rear-ended.
I have not been to Holland, but I have been to Norway, and I'm thinking those two countries should be similar.
But you can do it. Just take it easy and let the aggressive drivers go around you. I did it at 21.

Used cars may be significantly cheaper here than in Holland. It depends on how much import duty and VAT and so forth you have in Holland. In Norway, the state doubles the price of a new car, at least.

Hi Elliot. I was thinking about renting a car instead of buying one. I guess renting is quite expensive, but I've done some research in buying cars and it seems a lot of effort for just one or two months of traveling. Maybe its not as bad as i thought. What do you think is a reasonable price to get a secondhand car? Who knows maybe ill do it anyway

[Countess Curious]

Hello and welcome to ePlaya. I'm not sure if you missed the bits of the main site that talk about it, or just didn't spend much time with the search function, or if it's just because this is still very much the off-season... but there are a few different resources for working out a rideshare. First, as we get into the spring the Burning Man rideshare board will open up. On ePlaya, the appropriate place to post and look for rides and traveling partners is the Share Resources board. You're welcome to post there now, though you'll probably want to check back in your thread periodically as we get into spring and summer. Good luck!

Hii Trilobyte. Thanks for all the info! I was absolutely searching for information like that, but i just hadn't found it yet. Hopefully i can find some fellow-travelers over there

[Countess Curious]

Definitely seconding 9ah's advice: Megabus + Couchsurfing = very thrifty travel in the eastern US.

If you've only got three weeks, you'll really need to pick and choose. It's really easy to underestimate the size of the US - don't try to get to too many places! For east coast USA, I'd say the highlight cities are Washington, DC; Philadelphia; and New York City. Plenty of small places with lots of charm but they're a bit harder to get to by bus.

Don't forget that packing and preparing for Burning Man takes time, especially if you don't have your own transportation. Good luck!

Heyhey. I know youre right; i really should pick and choose. But at the moment im a bit exploring where i should go best and maybe with whom.
Btw, are you really a scout? Im a scout as well

[Countess Curious]

When you travel do you like to see historical sites and museums? nightlife? flea markets? landscapes? go swimming? in the ocean? I think those are the questions you have to ask yourself, and then decide what places fit.

Hi Fishy. Im still exploring my options. But its true that i have to choose in the end

[Elliot]

Hi Elliot. I was thinking about renting a car instead of buying one. I guess renting is quite expensive, but I've done some research in buying cars and it seems a lot of effort for just one or two months of traveling. Maybe its not as bad as i thought. What do you think is a reasonable price to get a secondhand car? Who knows maybe ill do it anyway

Yes, of course there is quite a bit to buying a car. My biggest concern would be finding a reliable one. That depends a great deal on your budget, and on your mechanical knowledge. Somebody with strong mechanical skills might buy a car for USD 2,000 and do fine. Someone else might spend ten times that and still need the transmission rebuilt after two days. A used car is always a gamble.
But I'm thinking of buying one from a private person.

If you instead buy a trade-in from a new-car dealership, you have some assurance that it is in sound condition. Of course, those are newer cars, costing more.
I would avoid used-car lots, as that's where the junk winds up.

When you buy a car, you also have to arrange registration and insurance. A new-car dealership can handle that for you, which is a significant advantage.

You do not need a US Driver License. But you should get an "international" driver license in Holland, which is simply a translation of your Dutch license.

I have never rented a car for a long period, so I cannot comment on that.

[Countess Curious]

Fishy and Scout stop being sensible!!! Kidding.... I'm not sure what you want to see, but I'd suggest getting to Columbia (if you're not flying into there and maybe head to Raleigh or Charlotte for a couple days. From there you can take Megabus to DC. Buy tickets in advance, while they are super cheap, under $15USD, since most locations let you switch departures on site for 5$. Since you're foreign you can like get away with a 'the date format confused me and I bought the wrong date/time' shtick. .... from DC take Megabus to Philly, then to NYC. From NYC you can jump up to Boston for a day trip. Take the earliest bus up and come back on the latest one. From NYC fly to Reno and buy your stuff, get to playa, make it back alive and in one piece. Then either find a rideshare to SF from the playa or Megabus from Reno or Sparks to SF. See the West Coast/SW then go home happy. Tada!

woooow, what a plan!!! Why flying to Columbia? Because its cheaper? The Megabus sounds like a reaaaally good idea. I like that! I should go and sit down for one day, and just start sorting things out and start planning things. Ill let you know when im around! Im old enough to drink a beer, so that shouldn't be a problem

[9ah]

Nah, just mentioned it because it's the capital. It's also likely an easier city to travel from. I assume you're starting over in Charleston then?

Best of luck with the planning!

[Savannah]

If you're traveling from North Carolina you'll definitely want to make friends there in the Regionals link from the top right of the Burning Man home page. If it doesn't work out, travel West. Green Tortoise Adventure Travel has buses leaving from San Francisco (and you can camp with them; bring your own tent).

If you find a camp separately and just want a ride from Reno to the Burn, google "Burner Express".

[Countess Curious]

Hi Elliot. I was thinking about renting a car instead of buying one. I guess renting is quite expensive, but I've done some research in buying cars and it seems a lot of effort for just one or two months of traveling. Maybe its not as bad as i thought. What do you think is a reasonable price to get a secondhand car? Who knows maybe ill do it anyway

Yes, of course there is quite a bit to buying a car. My biggest concern would be finding a reliable one. That depends a great deal on your budget, and on your mechanical knowledge. Somebody with strong mechanical skills might buy a car for USD 2,000 and do fine. Someone else might spend ten times that and still need the transmission rebuilt after two days. A used car is always a gamble.
But I'm thinking of buying one from a private person.

If you instead buy a trade-in from a new-car dealership, you have some assurance that it is in sound condition. Of course, those are newer cars, costing more.
I would avoid used-car lots, as that's where the junk winds up.

When you buy a car, you also have to arrange registration and insurance. A new-car dealership can handle that for you, which is a significant advantage.

You do not need a US Driver License. But you should get an "international" driver license in Holland, which is simply a translation of your Dutch license.

I have never rented a car for a long period, so I cannot comment on that.

Hmm maybe buying a car is a bit over budget then. Im not really good with fixing cars, so it would probably be an expensive experience And it's going to be even worse when i include the other expenses, like gas and the insurance. I know i can get an international driver license. It only cost me 18 euros, yeaah.

Im also a bit restrained about buying an vehicle, especially in a foreign country. Had some bad experiences buying a secondhand scooter:(

[Elliot]

By all means pursue renting. Hope you figure it out!

[Countess Curious]

Nah, just mentioned it because it's the capital. It's also likely an easier city to travel from. I assume you're starting over in Charleston then?

Best of luck with the planning!

Ah, that makes sense. Well not sure yet. First i've to check where i can get cheap tickets. I think i will work from there.
Thanks for all the help really appreciate that!

[Countess Curious]

If you're traveling from North Carolina you'll definitely want to make friends there in the Regionals link from the top right of the Burning Man home page. If it doesn't work out, travel West. Green Tortoise Adventure Travel has buses leaving from San Francisco (and you can camp with them; bring your own tent).

If you find a camp separately and just want a ride from Reno to the Burn, google "Burner Express".

Ah thanks Savannah. Ill remember the green tortoise adventure travel. Sounds like fun to me I see i've got a lot to figure out, but i had to start somewhere.

[Countess Curious]

By all means pursue renting. Hope you figure it out!

Ai, thanks for thinking along with me. If i reconsider purchasing a car, ill check your posts again

[Radise]

Hi Countess!

I'm interested in finding somebody from the Netherlands as well, if you're still looking maybe you could PM me?
My goal is going with a small group of people. I think any festival is more fun going in a group, and seeing that Burning Man is quite the challenge, I believe a camp would be nicest!

One thing that you should know is I don't have a drivers license yet, but I'm willing to share costs depending on how much it's going to be (more or less).
I'm going to need to draw some kind of financial picture, as I am also saving for a pilot's license.

Radise