Does camping on the Esplanade suck?

[C.f.M.]

Just curious as to your opinion.

[itssunnyv]

I always say that it will be what you make of it. We were on esplanade and 6:30 last year. I loved it... but not all my camp-mates did.

It's obviously a little busier and louder, and brighter. You get a lot of people watching time. You get to heckle stupid people who drive on the esplanade trying to look for their camp. it can be a great raver fishing location (i actually caught an art bike/cart last year). And you get to see the man all the time. But you also get a lot of assholes and frat boys come end of week who think that it's ok to just walk up to you and ask for a beer. And you get some really drunk or fucked up people hanging out on your porch for HOURS... then throwing up on the esplanade in front of you.

I would say that your question should more be:

what's it like to camp on the esplanade.

See what responses you get and see if you can adapt to it.


happy burn!!

[C.f.M.]

"But you also get a lot of assholes and frat boys come end of week who think that it's ok to just walk up to you and ask for a beer. And you get some really drunk or fucked up people hanging out on your porch for HOURS... then throwing up on the esplanade in front of you."

That's pretty much what the person who told me they don't like it said. I'm pretty much just...eh, FTW! If I'm going to BM, I might as well throw myself headfirst to the wolves...

"what's it like to camp on the esplanade."

What kind of touchy-feely, diplomaticky crap is that?!

[Ugly Dougly]

Since it's high traffic, you get a lot of people cutting through your camp.
Locking up your valuables and stringing up razor wire does wonders.

[Orchid]

You always have to be on the watch for people sneaking into your camp to pee.

Other than that, it's pretty fun.

[Orchid]

... and by "sneaking" I mean "bumbling drunkly."

[C.f.M.]

Since it's high traffic, you get a lot of people cutting through your camp.
Locking up your valuables and stringing up razor wire does wonders.

Razor wire...like my packing list isn't long enough! That's just in there for fun...maybe I should reconsider Barbarian Camp, to ensure I will be protected and kept safe, ohmeohmyidodeclayah!

Although my theme camp for Alchemy entails pointing shotguns at people and yelling GET OFF MAH LAND...so I might be OK.

[bigbluedoggy]

... and by "sneaking" I mean "bumbling drunkly."

I am betting that applies to any camp. It did for ours last year!

[trenton]

No It makes it easier to stumble home! Just dont plan on peace and quiet.
Right Wrongs Nobody

[C.f.M.]

I'm the only stumbling drunk allowed! I have a repuation to maintain. Or start. Whatever.

And thanks to my new pee funnel, I'll have all kinds of range!

[gyre]

Hey! The egg lady!

When you get tired of people yelling that the man is burning, you can look out the tent door and what the fuck the man really is burning, and you can stumble to the esplanade to watch.

There is always some twit trying to park a 50 foot RV in your packed camp on friday.
Did I mention packed?

Convenient to all the mod cons though.

[falk]

Overall, I'd say it rocks. Nothing like being right where the action is. Last year, we set up our eating area so we could watch Burning Man from our dinner table.

But the previous posters aren't kidding about the disadvantages.

People asking for handouts: check
People coming into your camp to take a leak: check
People taking shortcuts through your camp: check
Loud and bright: check

You really can't expect to get much sleep. In '06, my sleeping spot was a futon on the ground not twenty feet from the Esplanade. Not so great, actually.

We've had loud sound camps set up next to us twice in the last five years. That can seriously suck.

[goathead]

your a fucking virgin

work your way up to the esplanade.

[Generic Anonymity]

Lol, I'm a burner virgin going straight to the 'splade.
I've been a eplaya member for almost a year, but I don't know if that counts for much. At least I read the survival guide.
But I'm with Root Society, so I'll definitely be on the Esplanade.
No sleep for me!

[C.f.M.]

Odd...my last post (chock full of witty retorts and links to Camp Camp!) disappeared.

As it turns out, we think we're in A, behind Spanky's, which is on the Esplanade.

[Nitevenus]

Behind an Esplanade camp would be a good location on an A street. Still close to the action.... In 2007 we (LAFers) were located similarly on I believe 7:00, had lots of fun traffic go by, which was great for our camp activities. Only drawback was the extra moop that got deposited into our camp by passerbys. Our trash haul out seemed to greatly increase that year. Most definitely pack some earplugs if you need quiet.

[trenton]

hey CFM Ill be at spankys ! Looking froreward to stumbling out to pee on your camp! It was so loud last time I went screws rattled out of my trailor. I will be back for more come take a ride on the teeter totter of death. I one of the opperators. :lol:

[caliban]

I have LOVED living on the Esplanade. It's a little crazier all the time, but I sleep better there. There is ALWAYS a din, as opposed to the back streets where it can be relatively quiet until something super loud goes by, jolting you awake.

[Sail Man]

Since it's high traffic, you get a lot of people cutting through your camp.
Locking up your valuables and stringing up razor wire does wonders.

A paintball claymore mine would be kinda nice but the moop factor would be pretty high

[Simon of the Playa]

BURNING MAN SUCKS, SO CAMPING ON THE 'SPLADE REALLY SUCKS!


what the fuck did you expect?


a camping trip in the desert?

[RedHeaven]

I think it depends on a lot of things. I have camped there for the last 2 eyars and am doing it again with Lustre Village. My first 2 years we were back in the burbs. Both have pros and cons. The past 2 years I ahvent had any problem with people pissing in my camp or cutting thru, but maybe the layout of the village helped with that? Maybe we were just lucky? My tent has been close to the frontage for the last 2 years and it can be invigorating and overstimulating at the same time. Overall I would say I am happy to do it again this year, but in 2011 when I return I am definitely camping back in the burbs because I loved my experiences being back there as much as I have the stimulating Esplanade. I just miss the loud > quiet > Loud > quiet fun, I loved camping on the spokes. Esplanade is handy, but the thing that sucks most about camping on the esplanade is I really gotta pull myself away to explore the burbs more often, and those dark quiet spaces I have found mean just as much to me as the Blinkier, Glowier, and Burnier places.
However, the awesome thing about camping on the Esplanade for me was being ReALLY in touch with the art!!

Last 2 years we have been at 4 and 3:00. This year were at 2:30. Im not a huge fan of Opulent Temple music, but in a way I like it, so Im looking forward to facing my ears enemy. Im a little freaked out about it, but excited at the same time.
Anyone ever camp at 9:30 or 2:30, and whats it like? How close to the sound camps feel? I know its hard to describe that in words but best you can I would love a verbal preview!!!

[Oldguy]

Boom,boom,ka-thunk!
Talk,talk,talk,everybody gotta happy talk.
Boom,boom,ka-thunk!

[gyre]

"But I just swept the circle of death!"



Things you hear on the esplanade

[itssunnyv]

(holds up megaphone):click: NO DRIVING ON THE ESPLANADE ASSHOLES :click:

[little.two.spirit]

it officially does not suck. it is hilarious. do it.

[regynalonglank]

no

[dragonfly Jafe]

...find a friend who is NOT on esplanade, so you have a "refuge camp" to go to when things get too intense (bring a few cold beers)...

The view is incredible, the energy unrelenting, and the exposure sometimes too much. Other than that, every Burner should experience it at least once! It is very different from other neighborhoods for sure....

[Loricybin]

What I've basically learned from this thread is to bring an extra megaphone, a fishing rod, earplugs, and my gameface (which is already packed).

Sweet. Thanks, y'all.

[Bob]

What I've basically learned from this thread is to bring an extra megaphone, a fishing rod, earplugs, and my gameface (which is already packed).

Sweet. Thanks, y'all.

Here, let me help you with that.