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Gulf Wars Survival Guide
2005-03-11 - 2:19 p.m.
So, I've been thinking of doing the Gulf Wars and New Orleans survival
tips ever since I decided not to go. Here's what I've come up
with so far. Feel free to make additions in the Guestbook.
I just hope it's not too late to catch those going this year.
10 GW Survival Tips:
- Always wear sunscreen.
I know, ha ha, but seriously. The trees give the illusion of
shade, but it still is early spring. After winter, we tend to be
easily caught in sunbeams to soak them up. With the Spring
weather it is not uncommon to have a sunburn and be freezing to
death. Wear that sunscreen, especially fighters in the seige
battles, as you spend a while looking up... :)
- Pack Potassium.
There is lots of walking, and that ravine battle is gruesome on folks'
muscles. Potassium pills are never a bad thing to have on hand.
- Pack your stuff in waterproof
containers. Whether in a cabin with no space, or in a
tent, rain is a distinct possibility (it is Spring, almost!).
Plastic tubs are unsightly, but can save your clothes and stuff from a
downpour.
- Plan for warm bedding.
It can get much colder than you think at night. Pack extra dense
blankets, use your cloak as a blanket, grab a buddy for body heat,
whatever you need to do to stay warm at night.
- Do not sleep on the ground.
If you are camping, bring a cot or bed to get you up off the
ground. This is critical to avoid bugs and water. Trust me.
- If you are lucky enough to get cabin space, pack either
breathe-right strips to share or ear plugs. Snoring is a fact of life in cabins
of friends. While a weekend trip is survivable, a whole week
could drive you mad.
- There is no need to bring a shower, as there are bath houses sprinkled about the campground.
They may not be as luxurious as home, but you can usually get hot
water. Pack shower shoes for certain.
- Comfy ankle-supporting shoes
are a really good idea. The ground in Mississippi is sandy.
You are less likely to get the true Pennsic mud experience, but the
sandy ground can be equally tough to walk on. Be prepared for
this terrain.
- Dress in layers.
The temperature can range from 40 degree mornings to 80 degree
days. It helps to just be able to shed layers than to have to go
back to the tent and change during the day.
- Food is easily accessible.
You can survive at Gulf Wars just fine with no kitchen supplies except
a cooler for your drinks. The food court is nice and tasty (and
they still had Phil's Grill Mediterranean food last year) and fairly
convenient. There is also a cafeteria open for all meals that has
basic southern fare, which has always been edible for me. They
also have a TV with the weather channel on full time so you can check
each morningor night, if you wish. On the flip side, if you do
make too much food, grabbing passersby for dinner seems to work very
well. I highly recommend the company of the Westies.
Other things to
see and note:
- Merchants are similar to Pennsic. In fact many of them make
an appearance at both wars. There is still a Midnight Madness on
Wednesday night with some deals. There are some new or more local
merchants who are quite lovely too. There is even a candy
shop.
- A&S, I've never made it to any classes, but they do seem to
focus more on middle eastern studies than Atlantian does. If
that's your interest, give it a whirl.
- Most fighters seem to really enjoy themselves. The Rose
tourneys are always nice to watch. Spectators, archers, and seige
engineers love the fort batttles, most of the fighters seem to find the
beginning tedious. But they can be fun to watch. The ravine
battles are also interesting to watch, and the fighters can use
civilian hands to help them and their stuff get out of the ravine
afterwards. From the main rapier area you can see a bunch of the
equestrian activities. The horses and riders are very inspiring
to watch. I've yet to catch the hound coursing.
- Watch the opening ceremonies if you can. They are much more
entertaining than Pennsic if only for the addition of royalty on horses.
- The culture is, if you have a hat (pointy) wear it, regardless of
whether is matches your garb or not. Gen says, wear the
headcoverings that match your garb.
- If you just need a break, the Outback in Hattiesburg is very
tasty and makes for a nice escape.
New Orleans Tips and Tricks:
- If you don't like spicy food, perhaps New Orleans cuisine is not
for you.
- If you love sweets, New Orleans is definitely the place for
you. Especially the Southern
Candymakers'
- Cafe Du Monde is less
crowded on weekdays and off hours. The beignets are just as good.
- The Mississippi River is a glory (if mud colored) to
behold. Standing on the riverwalk and feeling the cool breeze on
your skin is heaven.
- Don't miss O'Flaherty's
Irish Pub, they have great beers, ciders and in Nov. even lambic on
tap.
- If you can drive around the Garden District, do so. The
houses are amazing.
- Jean LaFitte's is the oldest building standing in the French
Quarter. It's a cool bar to visit, unless there is a bad singer,
then run like hell.
- Always stop by the Three Dog Bakery if for no other reason than
to admire what these folks do to dog food.
- Jackson Square is gorgeous in the springtime, fountains and
flowers.
- Places to eat are the Seaport Inn, Court of the Two Sisters, and
Johnny's Po-Boys.
- If you'd prefer to dance than sit in a bar and listen to singing,
there are lots of clubs on Bourbon St. with dance music and bad
karoke. I reccommend getting at least one drink in you before
hitting Bourbon St. Drinks in the clubs are over priced, drinks
on the streets are cheaper, but sometimes nasty.
- Homophobic folks, avoid the intersection of Bourbon and St. Ann.
at night. But for the rest of us, that corner is Fabulous!
- A person should be limited to only one Cherry Bomb a night.
And always have a buddy with you to help get your drunk butt home to
bed.
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