Flutterby™! : Burning Tours 2003-07-18 13:00:15.883183+00

Burning Tours

2003-07-18 13:00:15.883183+00 by meuon 9 comments

Want to go to Burning Man with included schwag and a professional guide? Meals Included? Travelocity.BurningTours.com wants to help you be a tourist for only $1400.00 per head.

Well, okay, "cough" for the purists. I guess if you've been going for years and have experience and equipment and support groups to help make sure you've got all bases covered, the Green Tortoise offering might be something to snort at.

But y'know, if going to BM means I'm going to have to find a vehicle in which to carry all my water for a week plus bicycles, in addition to the standard food, sleeping gear, art materials, etc., and that I'll be going without a network or support group to hook up with, it's almost a guarantee that I won't ever go. I *like* the thought of riding out there and back on a bus full of like-minded folks, and having water (and food if I want it) available all week, not to mention a place to store my bikes. Someone like me might actually take advantage of the Green Tortoise offering, and be happy to have found it. At least for the first trip.

As long as people become part of the larger community and don't just limit themselves to the Green Tortoise or to being tourists, I don't care how they get there or set up their logistics. I used to be fairly against RVs, 'til I realized just how much energy goes into keeping a camp together versus what can be put into projects for the greater area.

Of course we're not going to make it this year, so I've no right to say anything.

#Comment Re: Burning Tours made: 2003-07-21 11:14:56.504586+00 by: meuon [edit history]

As an experienced Burner.. who I am sure will be there in future years, you have every right to put forth an opinion. And those of us actually going will blast you for not going, or if your opinion really sucks. Not for putting forth one. 23 days until we leave. I have the compulsion to pack the truck already. Current plans are to head to the 4 corners area quickly, and then meander towards Black Rock City..

#Comment Re: Burning Tours made: 2003-07-23 07:01:15.445875+00 by: Shawn

Could you expand on this statement, for one who has been occasionally curious but hasn't really looked that closely at Burning Man? Are those who don't contribute to... ah... I'm not even sure how to term it... sniffed at?

I think I might like, someday, to observe and take it in, but I'm not really sure I have much, if anything, to contribute. I get the feeling my own emotional space leans in the same direction as the Burners, but I don't think I'd be comfortable in that large and eclectic a community. I'm still struggling to find my place in much smaller communal circles.

#Comment Re: [Entry #6353] Re: Burning Tours made: 2003-07-23 16:11:03.956153+00 by: Dan Lyke

It kinda depends on by whom, but the line is "participants only, no spectators". Sometimes this is taken to extremes, some of the worst verbal abuse I've ever taken was while i was shuttling fire-extinguishers in an unadorned truck for Egeria one night, and some of the biggest contributing artists have complained that they've been hassled for wearing street clothes, on the other hand it does help to make sure that people step out of their standard personas and volunteer for something.

There's always something to contribute. There are enough projects there that need an extra hand or two or a little "hey, hows it going, looks cool" while someone's slaving away in the hot sun on Thursday afternoon trying to get things going that it's more about attitude than bringing ideas and stuff.

#Comment Re: Burning Tours made: 2003-07-23 21:42:48.937291+00 by: meuon

"it's more about attitude" - And boy I miss that attitude. but I find that applying it locally whenever I can produces amazing results.