wondering about goin solo

[kunks]

anybody had a solo waka experience? Just wondering how it was.

[Neil]

Kinda goes against the whole idea of the feeling of community involved with Waka.

[kunks]

i kind of agree, but i don't have anyone to go with, thanks for the condescending response though

[nugster420]

[quote:c8a8a36344=\"kunks\"]i kind of agree, but i don't have anyone to go with, thanks for the condescending response though[/quote:c8a8a36344]

I think he meant that once you get there you are no longer \"solo.\"

[Neil]

I don't see how that's condescending. I didn't mean it as that either, since I never knew you were going solo since your post never clearly states so. I'm sure it wouldn't be that big of a deal, the only time you're truly alone is there and back home. The rest of the time you're partying with your best friends that you met a few days ago.

[kunks]

cool, thanks for the love, just a little nervous about the trip

[Pauly's Cheese]

I've gone to the festival with people both years and I usually end up hanging out with the people I meet there more than with the people I came with.

If you're by yourself, I guess it would kinda force you to meet even more people. That in itself is worth the trip. Lifelong friends can be met here.

Welcome!

[randall747]

Well said Pauly.

Kunks, just hang around the forum and you'll meet some friends before you even go. If you're not a forum guy, you'll meet plenty of friends at the fest. If anything makes you nervous about going solo, just ask plenty of questions. That's what this forum is about. Lots of people go solo and have a perfect time.

All friends,


Randall

[chriso_227]

[quote:179ea83147=\"Pauly's Cheese\"]I've gone to the festival with people both years and I usually end up hanging out with the people I meet there more than with the people I came with.[/quote:179ea83147]

Aint that the truth ... i always come with about 20 people and rarely see any of them ... i wonder off by myself and meet new friends

[Hazel Green]

At any festival you will almost always meet new friends. I started out going solo to all fests and then eventually kind of grouped together with people I knew (daughters and their friends and people we met.)

Now I have found I actually prefer not being tied down to group dynamics, it's much easier alone to go see the music you want to see, and if you run into people you know or don't know, it's always fun regardless.

no one's really a stranger. We all have stuff in common just being there, just open a conversation about music and travelling and all, and there you go.

[Jrocka]

Yeah, Our group usually walked to the bands together, but once we got there, we wouldn't meet back up till back at the camp,.. and met up with new friends in the meantime,, mostly people camped around us. Solo or not, you never know when you will see a familiar face out of the blue. You'll have a good time reguardless of how many people come along.
8)

[allterrainhiker]

Jrocka

I used to try to keep everyone together but I felt too much like a babysitter. The whole idea is to find yourself in a community of like minded folk.

I like getting separated and having my own little adventure. It forces you out of your shell. I live in Jersey and people here are very metropolitan. Travleling to places like Kansas and Tennessee is great for me because it's a break from the hustle and bustle of fast paced city life.

THere's a few of us traveling from NY/NJ/PA and this dude from Maine might even meet up with us. If you wanted to travel east for a ways and meet up with us you could meet up with a pack of lone wolves.

Anyone have a flag?

[sexfaery]

Hey Kunks,

I've seen a lot of good responses here and everyone is right. I'm going \"solo\", but as it has already been said, once you're there you're not solo any more - you're with 15,000 friends. Whenever I go solo to any sort of group gathering or traveling I bring a little notebook to get names and numbers and such so we can all keep in touch. See ya there!

[allterrainhiker]

i'm defintiely gonna be on the look out for sexfaerys when i'm down there.

[montgomeryburns]

I've been to a hdnfull of festivals solo, and the other hand I have been with people... Its whatever you make of it. I'd say my best solo trip was Coventry or Camp bisco, but I thinks its so much better, and easier to meet people when you start out alone.

[sexfaery]

Hey allterrainhiker,

I like the sounds of you. I'll be looking for you too!

[allterrainhiker]

Alright! This weekend keeps getting better! Here's a pic of me:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/allterrainhiker/FARLEY.gif

Can't wait to teach you some moves!

[montgomeryburns]

teach moves eh? I got the fastest footwork on the east coast, I'll challenge you to a dance off!!! Pick your battle grounds; sts9, tdb, lotus, whatever... I'll be there :wink:

[sexfaery]

You totally made my day hiker! I am cracking up right now. Can't wait to get down with you're bad self. You too montgomeryburns. I'll pick the winner...and show you some moves of my own. Woo hoo!

[allterrainhiker]

I knew this was going to be a soul shakedown party! My freestyle rhythmic gyrations are beyond compare monty! Check yo self.

sexfaery, I'll save a dance for you :D :!:

[sexfaery]

Tell me when and where and I'll be there! :wink:

[allterrainhiker]

I gots to find a flag or something so people can come and find me. I will be giving dance lessons and all.

Lets just play it by ear. I still have to get my vacation time approved. Otherwise I'll only be doing Bonnaroo. :(

[AT98BooBoo]

I usually go to festivals alone. I can never get what few friends I do have to come to fests with me so I allways fly solo. Sometimes I'll meet some cool people at fests but except for Trail Days most of the time I get that sinking \"alone in a crowd feeling\".

[worldbefree]

I've had it go both ways. I went to High Sierra solo 2 years in a row. One year it seemed like the people camped around me we're pretty cliqueish, not into meeting people they didn't come with, or at least not beyond a surface level. The other year I met a beautiful girl who had come solo and spent most of my time with her. Everyone camped around me was cool and interesting; I never felt lonely at all. But it really all starts from the inside. Like Michael Franti said, \"Show love and love you will know; family wherever you go.\" As it stands now I'm goin' to this Waka solo, so I'll see all you freaky people there.

[twirlchic17]

I love doin Fests solo, Waka has a great group of people.
You won't feel alone one bit!

[Lil D]

Hey guys, I just moved to MO from Florida and this is my first wakarusa and I am going solo. I went to Burning Man by myself last year (from Florida) and had great fun. Best part, I didn't have to peel any boyfriend off of the floor cuz he couldn't handle his **** like my experience at Bonnaroo several years ago. There is something wonderful about going places by yourself, I think that it is possible to meet a lot more cool people.

I sort of like camping with other folks though because it is just easier. Maybe we solo campers could unite and start up our own camp!

[adamben01]

I know people that are goin, but as far as close friends ya might as well say I'm goin solo.

And uh does allterrain give senior citizen discounts for those dance lessons? I don't know if I can get my breasts to gyrate like that, but I'll sure try!!

[adamben01]

by the way, lil d, if you just moved to missouri you should check at zoe campitheatre. theyre havin a groovy fest this weekend for 420. garaj mahal, papa mali, n mofro (of course the schwag too *rolls eyes* just kiddin). only 40 bucks and zoe's a pretty magical place, pm me for info (i just got some free tickets and dont think ill be able to stay the whole weekend, so noone wants to drive up there for like 4 hours)

[sexfaery]

Hey Lil D,
I like your idea of grouping up the solos. I'm planning on getting to Waka earlyish on Thursday (before noon). Get back to me and we can figure out where to set up camp.

[allterrainhiker]

[quote:4611a4d09f=\"adamben01\"]I know people that are goin, but as far as close friends ya might as well say I'm goin solo.

And uh does allterrain give senior citizen discounts for those dance lessons? I don't know if I can get my breasts to gyrate like that, but I'll sure try!![/quote:4611a4d09f]

senior citizenz have their own class. we can focus on moderate head banging, spinning in circles, and pop lock without popping any bones.

[worldbefree]

Yeah trying to link up solo travlers for camping is a very good idea. I'll admit I've felt a little awkward before setting up camp in a crowded area of all large groups; it's almost like you have to \"attach\" yourself to one of them more or less at random. This will be my 1st Waka so don't know how this would work logisticswise. Don't we get assigned a general area for camping? Anyway if anyone's interested contact me and we'll try to sort it out as the appointed hour approaches(slowly oh so slowly).

[sexfaery]

Way too slowly...only 50 more days.

[adamben01]

I know people that will be out there, but if you guys want to set up a loner campsite, I'd definately be down. We'd have to have a banner to call out the other solos to us!!

[worldbefree]

Yeah, I was confused about being assigned camping; that's only if you got an upgrade, but if everyone shows up alone it would be tricky to set up together. Well, 50 days to contemplate these things, eh.

[Lil D]

Hell yeah, getting a camp together would be fun, so long as we are all in the general admission class, I don't see how it couldn't work, Ya know, I've gone to alot of these kinds of things with folks who I was friends with and sometimes it was harder to coordinate the logistics with them than with folks I had never met.

If you guys are really interested contact me at denisecerniglia@yahoo.com. It's hard for me to get on this forum when my slavedriving boss keeps cracking the whip!

Ooh i'm stoked. OH ****, gotta go, bossman is back

Lil D

[adamben01]

http://www.wakarusa.com/images/maps_fest/graphical2.jpg

lets choose now! i just want to be near the swimming beach.

[Lil D]

me too! One thing I do miss about Florida, the beach.

[sexfaery]

Let's go for camp moombeam. Looks like it's close to the swimming beach and I love that name. I'm planning on getting there early on Thursday morning - 9ish. I'll try and figure out a flag or something to fly.

[adamben01]

Ill bring something too for the campsite. I'll be getting there hopefully around 6pm on thursday.

im thinking we should go for the camp moonbeam side of the 10th and houser intersection. what about a campsite name?

[Lil D]

Well, I've definitely decided I'm asking for Friday off and getting there Thursday night. Hey, Adamben if you are coming from St. Louis, maybe we could caravan . . . Columbia would be on the way.

[worldbefree]

I'll be coming in from I-70 east as well. If some of us got together before we got there it would make easier to camp together. I've never done Waka before but I kinda got the impression they try to direct you to a spot as you arrive for general camping.

[adamben01]

I'm getting there via an RV that will have room for one more person. You can hop on in columbia if you'd like, Lil D.

[Lil D]

That sounds great. I'll be more than happy to chip in on gas and such . . . .

[Styles]

Cool thread! Interesting to hear about the solo trips. Last year's Bonnaroo was my first music festival. During the Saturday Widespread Panic set (first time I had ever even HEARD those guys...I was in love! :D ), I was just going ballistic with delight, and my friends were being kind of downers. So I decided to head down to the front, and told them I'd come back up to where they were when the show was over.

After the show, I couldn't find my friends, and I was really nervous and uncomfortable. I'm a pretty shy person, and I didn't feel like I really \"fit in\" there because I was completely new to the scene. But eventually I said F it and wandered off by myself.

Well I had some smoke and a bowl but no lighter, and what an ice-breaker that turned out to be! I met a bunch of really cool people just by packing a bowl and asking if they had a lighter, then I'd just smoke with them and talk. After talking with one person for a bit, I'd go off somewher else. It's nice to just go wherever you want to without the group.

As the night progressed, I came completely out of my shell and felt like a whole new person, but really I was just being myself with confidence and no inhibitions.

I talked to my friends about it later when I got back to camp, and they were all smiles about it and told me I had a \"solo flight,\" which are always really nice to have at a fest. Couldn't agree more!

So from that experience, I would say going solo would be great, except for the ride there and back, and maybe some lonely time at camp. If you're going to do it, use my strategy with the bowl and no lighter, great way to meet people!

Sorry for the long post hehe, I just like reminiscing about that.

[Shoteka]

hey can not-quite solo folks camp with you all? :?: we're a couple and we're coming just the two of us and would like to meet some folks When is Camp Solo going to convene?

[Shoteka]

conveine? conviene? get together. :?

[sexfaery]

Shoteka, sounds good to me! My understanding now is that general campers are kind of directed to a spot when they arrive. I'm planning on getting to Waka early Thursday morning, so I suppose I'll find out then. Where in Illinois are you from?

[Shoteka]

originally Bloomington (central IL), but now we're at school in Carbondale at Southern. I'll have a final friday morning, so we won't be there til early fri evening. last year they directed you somewhat, but you can head where you want to~ If we don't get there til Friday, we may have to take whatever's left

[sexfaery]

Well, I'm trying to think of a good flag or something so people can find me. Catch you Friday.

[Jethoon]

hey kunks, no worries- what everyone says is true. its a giant party. last year i went with a group, but everbody you meet is your friend. i'd never been in an atmosphere like that and the feeling of community surrounds you without anyone seeming to try. we're all just so happy to be there. you'll meet plenty of people of all varieties. i'll see ya there.

[itsallgood]

i agree..... everytime i go to a festie i end up gettin lost from the people i originally went there with and just wander . i always meet cool people and from what i found , everybody is just about spreadin the good vibes. goin solo wouldnt be bad at all.....if it came down to it id do it in a heartbeat

[The Djuke]

Yeah, I'm having trouble getting people to go with me, but going solo is looking interesting. Usually I'm not the solo type, but this might work. Hmmmm???

[sexfaery]

Hey fellow solos, I'm not exactly solo any more, I've got a friend coming with now - hooray! We should arrive around 9ish Thursday morning. Is there still a plan to try and set up camp togetherish?

[rnrafro]

where you going solo from? im sure you can find someone to share your ride if you ask

[rkmcclain]

Looks like I might be going solo as well. I will be leaving from the Illinois side of St Louis... so if anyone from around the STL or along the way would like to ride, kick me a message either here or at my email in the profile. First time to the waka and looking forward to good times. Any other solo-ers looking to unite as mentioned in this thread, let's keep the discussion going and rock this bus!!! :idea:

[JiveMarket]

[quote:7003e70e87=\"allterrainhiker\"]i'm defintiely gonna be on the look out for sexfaerys when i'm down there.[/quote:7003e70e87]

I'm with you there, hiker

[JiveMarket]

I'm not able to make it to Wakarusa until Saturday morning. I'll be solo as well, but I'm working the festival. You solo folks please watch for me, I'll be on a golf cart near Shakedown St (or this year's equivalent) or in the photo pits during the headlining acts...

[RevMasterDudeCrosby]

I will arrive by myself, as I did last year, but at Waka

no one goes solo.

[kunks]

the more i have thought about it i'm pumped to go by myself, the posts have been cool. I hope to see everyone there.

[worldbefree]

[quote:38a232bd2a=\"kunks\"]the more i have thought about it i'm pumped to go by myself, the posts have been cool. I hope to see everyone there.[/quote:38a232bd2a] Awesome--because that means this thread had some tangible positive effect on the world. And I'm sure your not the only one to be encouraged by this.

[chuzwizelee]

If your coming with your friends or coming alone it doesnt matter, you will meet people and youll have a blast, its pretty much inevitable. I went solo 05 and left with atleast 50 new friends and the love of my life so hakunamatata as Pumba would say.

[Sunflower]

So you chozwizelee then? :lol: :lol: I slay myself!

[chuzwizelee]

haha!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
You slay me also

I chuze very wizelee becuz ooked on ponics werked fer me!

[wnielsen]

It looks like I'll be flying solo now so hopefully i will see some of you guys there!

[well_known_stranger]

Yea my ride bailed. so it looks like i'm comin solo.

thank god there's the greatest time of my life in between the worst times of my life.

have a good safe trip everyone. hopefully see some of youz. peace.

[monodub]

i'm flying solo this year at waka...kind of looking forward to it...as many of you have mentioned, it opens up the possibilities of meeting new people. up until a few months ago i was reluctant to go to shows solo but once i did it, i realized how much freedom you have and how great it can be. as many of you may have experienced, not all friends have the same musical tastes or are simply not as enthusiastic about festivals and the like. so to all of you who are flying solo as well, if you see a friendly in the singular, don't be afraid to say hi...sometimes meeting a new friend is as simple as that.

in addition, i'm leaving from the kansas city area thursday afternoon. if anyone needs a ride let me know. be safe and have a fantastic festival. cheers.

[thuff30]

hey wnielsen, i'm from edmond too, friends all bailed for cabo, can't exactly blame them, PM me or email me at thuff30@yahoo.com if you wanna carpool or something.

[naymornings]

I originally went to WAkarusa alone, but ran into friends when I got there. NEver the less the majority of them were too wacked out to leave the campsite so I spent most of my time at the stage, alone...

It was by far the best expereince of my summer. The people around you make you feel comfortable, and your too distracted by the music, heat, and atmosphere to ever worry about your sarroundings. In the end you might be pleased you went alone, because your garunteed to meet new people and get a nice sense of independence from the expereince. So hell yeah; GOooooooooooo foorrr ittt

just bring enough water. Seriously!

[Mr Cosmic Charlie]

i might end up going with the same crew i went with last year. they only go for cheap doses though. so theres a better chance ill be alone. no matter how many people i am with/out, ill still have a great time.

[boulderusa]

[quote:2e7cfdbe94=\"naymornings\"]the majority of them were too wacked out to leave the campsite [/quote:2e7cfdbe94]

[quote:2e7cfdbe94=\"Mr Cosmic Charlie\"] they only go for cheap doses though. [/quote:2e7cfdbe94]

If you have friends who are going to waka just to get messed up, please discourage them from going. They are the ones who make what happened last year seem like a good idea to the police.