What is it about Glasto that keeps luring you back?

[Discoduck]

Not sure if any of you remember but I joined efests a few months ago when I was debating whether to go to Glastonbury after my friend who was meant to be going with me was made redundant from her job and decided to cancel her ticket to save money. As a result I came extremely close to cancelling my ticket but efesters were so enthusiastic about the wonder that is Glastonbury that I decided to go it alone. This was going to be my first experience of going to a festival/camping and as I don't drink/do drugs I was unsure about how things would work out but I was determined to get a backbone and scratch off Glasto on my things to do before I die this year.

So I set off on Friday hoping to get to the farm in time for the world cup match and various meets. Unfortunately the 2 hour journey took 14 hours and it was midnight before I was ready to set up camp. I felt so overwhelmed walking into the ground, not having a clue where to go or who to approach for help. I had planned to camp at but as it was dark I decided to just find a spot for the night and move to CT Thurs morning, when I'd be able to see more clearly! I had a pretty shitty night, knackered from the driving, migraine from he'll and couldn't find my ear plugs so didn't really get any sleep.

The next morning i got up early and made my way to the loo, only i started gagging at the stench every time I went near a portaloo or longdrop. Thanfully I'm a bit of a camel and have the strongest of bladders so thought I'd keep my legs crossed until I'd set up my tent at . I made my way to the pennards and was walking around in the blazing sun for a couple of hours but couldn't find the camp so just settled in the first bit of space I could find. I said hello to my neighbours, who just grunted in response. I then went to to get some lunch and made my way back to my tent, only I couldn't find my tent anywhere (I have the WORST sense of direction and usually depend on friends fir this kinda stuff ). After FOUR hours of walking around in the blazing sun and having shed a tear or two out of pure frustration cum exhaustion I managed to find it (I swear I'd walked past that same spot 20 odd times and it hadn't been there, God must have pitied me and moved it to a more visable spot). Exhausted and upset I decided to call it a day. I unpacked my bag, found my earplugs (divine intervention again), popped them in and went to sleep. I felt so alone and miserable that night, listening to everyone having a fab time but feeling unable to join in. I nodded off to sleep and was woken up to people toasting and cheering michael jacksons death. As a massive MJ fan this really upset me. Everyone I'd met at that festival had been so so different to what I'd imagined and heard - people weren't friendly, quite the opposite! I decided at that point I'd go home the next day.

Woke up Friday, tried to go to the loo again, still gagged (hadn't been able to wee since wed afternoon and was beyond desperate). I got chatting to someone about my prob with the loo and she told me about the flushing loos - divine intervention number three). On my way there I fell over in the mud and decided enough was enough, I'd pack up and go home.

But then things changed. On my way back from the loos the sun came

out of nowhere and I heard Bjorn Again. Can't believe bjorn again saved the festival for me (can't believe I'm even admitting to seeing them LOL). But seriously I still can't put my finger on what happened but this be changed drastically. I saw band after band, telling myself I'd go home after the set, then I'd start watching something/someone else. Next thing I know neil young has finished his set and I've had an amazing day. I made my way back to my tent, smiling ear to ear. Said hello to my neighbours again and asked them if they'd had a nice day, to which they grunted again. Moody shits.

The next two days just went by in a blur. I had such an amazing time, just taking in the madness of it all. I didnt really get into a proper convo with anyone which is a shame cuz Im generally a really friendly person and love meeting new people, but maybe I was just giving off unfriendly vibes while I was there LOL. I walked and walked and walked the whole time i was there and yet there's so much of the festival I didn't get to see. There were so many distractions, so much to do and see I could have easily spent another week there and still not seen it all.

Although id really enjoyed my time there i had no plans to return however driving home on the Sunday night I experienced a great sense of sadness that it was all over. By the Monday I was making plans fir next year. I really don't know what it is that's drawing me back, especially as I had such a miserable start but I keep getting excited every time I think about it.

Next year I'll most likely go alone again as I still can't convince my friends and family to acompany me. I'll camp closer to the flushing loos next time (the 25 min walk from my tent was a right pain this year) and prob won't go until the Friday (Wed and Thurs were awful, and I mostly relate this to being alone).

Anyway just wanted to share my experiences and thank those of you that convinced me to go - you're a jolly lovely lot, if only I'd met some of you on my travels!

Edited July 8, 2009 by Discoduck

[mandypants]

You seriously didn't have a wee in 3 days? Bloody hell girl! I'm sorry you didn't get to meet anyone, didn't you get anyones phone number? It must have been pretty overwhelming to go there alone and be totally lost on your first festival, but I'm so glad you 'got it' in the end and a bit of preparation next year will help loads, eg getting phone numbers, taking something to cover your nose in the loos (sorry but you'll just have to live with them!)

I didn't drink or do drugs either, it was my first Glasto and I had a whale of a time. But then again, I'd got to know a lot of people beforehand and had been camping at festivals before so I was well prepared.

[LostRiot]

You must know someone going? even if its friends of friends, its good to have people to stay up late with and chat to round a fire.

It is really really good isn't it? Its the atmosphere or something.

[pedmills]

Not sure if any of you remember but I joined efests a few months ago when I was debating whether to go to Glastonbury after my friend who was meant to be going with me was made redundant from her job and decided to cancel her ticket to save money. As a result I came extremely close to cancelling my ticket but efesters were so enthusiastic about the wonder that is Glastonbury that I decided to go it alone. This was going to be my first experience of going to a festival/camping and as I don't drink/do drugs I was unsure about how things would work out but I was determined to get a backbone and scratch off Glasto on my things to do before I die this year.

So I set off on Friday hoping to get to the farm in time for the world cup match and various meets. Unfortunately the 2 hour journey took 14 hours and it was midnight before I was ready to set up camp. I felt so overwhelmed walking into the ground, not having a clue where to go or who to approach for help. I had planned to camp at but as it was dark I decided to just find a spot for the night and move to CT Thurs morning, when I'd be able to see more clearly! I had a pretty shitty night, knackered from the driving, migraine from he'll and couldn't find my ear plugs so didn't really get any sleep.

The next morning i got up early and made my way to the loo, only i started gagging at the stench every time I went near a portaloo or longdrop. Thanfully I'm a bit of a camel and have the strongest of bladders so thought I'd keep my legs crossed until I'd set up my tent at . I made my way to the pennards and was walking around in the blazing sun for a couple of hours but couldn't find the camp so just settled in the first bit of space I could find. I said hello to my neighbours, who just grunted in response. I then went to to get some lunch and made my way back to my tent, only I couldn't find my tent anywhere (I have the WORST sense of direction and usually depend on friends fir this kinda stuff ). After FOUR hours of walking around in the blazing sun and having shed a tear or two out of pure frustration cum exhaustion I managed to find it (I swear I'd walked past that same spot 20 odd times and it hadn't been there, God must have pitied me and moved it to a more visable spot). Exhausted and upset I decided to call it a day. I unpacked my bag, found my earplugs (divine intervention again), popped them in and went to sleep. I felt so alone and miserable that night, listening to everyone having a fab time but feeling unable to join in. I nodded off to sleep and was woken up to people toasting and cheering michael jacksons death. As a massive MJ fan this really upset me. Everyone I'd met at that festival had been so so different to what I'd imagined and heard - people weren't friendly, quite the opposite! I decided at that point I'd go home the next day.

Woke up Friday, tried to go to the loo again, still gagged (hadn't been able to wee since wed afternoon and was beyond desperate). I got chatting to someone about my prob with the loo and she told me about the flushing loos - divine intervention number three). On my way there I fell over in the mud and decided enough was enough, I'd pack up and go home.

But then things changed. On my way back from the loos the sun came

out of nowhere and I heard Bjorn Again. Can't believe bjorn again saved the festival for me (can't believe I'm even admitting to seeing them LOL). But seriously I still can't put my finger on what happened but this be changed drastically. I saw band after band, telling myself I'd go home after the set, then I'd start watching something/someone else. Next thing I know neil young has finished his set and I've had an amazing day. I made my way back to my tent, smiling ear to ear. Said hello to my neighbours again and asked them if they'd had a nice day, to which they grunted again. Moody shits.

The next two days just went by in a blur. I had such an amazing time, just taking in the madness of it all. I didnt really get into a proper convo with anyone which is a shame cuz Im generally a really friendly person and love meeting new people, but maybe I was just giving off unfriendly vibes while I was there LOL. I walked and walked and walked the whole time i was there and yet there's so much of the festival I didn't get to see. There were so many distractions, so much to do and see I could have easily spent another week there and still not seen it all.

Although id really enjoyed my time there i had no plans to return however driving home on the Sunday night I experienced a great sense of sadness that it was all over. By the Monday I was making plans fir next year. I really don't know what it is that's drawing me back, especially as I had such a miserable start but I keep getting excited every time I think about it.

Next year I'll most likely go alone again as I still can't convince my friends and family to acompany me. I'll camp closer to the flushing loos next time (the 25 min walk from my tent was a right pain this year) and prob won't go until the Friday (Wed and Thurs were awful, and I mostly relate this to being alone).

Anyway just wanted to share my experiences and thank those of you that convinced me to go - you're a jolly lovely lot, if only I'd met some of you on my travels!

[gizmoman]

The 'friday arrival' confused me too, must have meant wednesday reading the rest, think you were incredibly brave going on your own for the first time, i'm a regular and would think twice about going on my own. Festival toilets take some getting used to, but they're not that bad really, don't think walking up to the flushing loos everytime is practical. Shame you didn't swap phone no.s with one of the regulars on here beforehand, you could have met up and you would have had a far better festival. You,ve now learned one of the first lessons of festival going, make sure you know where your tent is (and where you parked the car) before setting off anywhere! I think we've all learned that one the hard way at some point! Hope you go again and get to see everything you missed first time, It must have taken me 3 or 4 years to cover all the site and be comfortable in finding my way around so keep at it, it's well worth it.

[attackofthemongs]

Going to Glasto has simply become a habit for me .

Not sure if it's a good or bad habit , thing is I can't seem to break it. I've come close mind you , particularly after the recent bad weather years , I reckon if I experience another one of those that could be it for me. This year was the best one for yonks though , it's really bouyed me up for next year, we'll see how it goes.

[hombrederayo]

you couldnt find when you arrived? did you arrive on the wed or thurs night?

Did you do the CT phone number swap? if so, you could have just rang someone on the list to find out where it was, and same again in the morning.

I'm glad you ended up having a great time!

However, dont come on the friday there will be hardly any camping spots left. If you arrive early as you can onsite on the wed then you'll be able to get a good spot when we are setting CT up, and you will know who we all are from that, and the various meets. You will enjoy it much more if you are camping on your own with fellow solo campers at CT...which means you end up not camping on your own!

As for the loo situation, I cant believe you walked up to the flushing ones every time you needed to go?! thats quite impressive and a heck of a lot of walking from Pennards. You're just gonna have to brave it and use the Long drops eventually...stay away from the turdis' though!

[Storm_NL]

As for the loo situation, I cant believe you walked up to the flushing ones every time you needed to go?!

[amfy]

What a lovely post. It says quite alot for the festival when it can pull you back from such despair and keep you. I'm glad you had a good time in the end.

I think what keeps pulling me back is probably, in essence, the same as you. I always think I could have had an even better time if I'd done certain things differently. For you, you may be thinking that if you had managed to meet up with The Triangle, if you had camped nearer the flushing loos, etc etc.

I always come away thinking that theres something I could've done more of. It has varied from "I should have paid more attention to the schedule and seen more bands" to "I spent too much time dashing from stage to stage and I should've relaxed and wandered about more"..........and of course there is always "Next year there might not be any mud!".

On the other hand - a seriously rainy muddy year may help your toilet phobia because their definitely nowhere near as smelly when it's not so hot.

Anyway - next year, It'll be my 10th and it's about time for me to get Glastonbury right.

[amfy]

Oooooh! I just thought for a good tip to get you in the Glastonbury mood if you're on your own.

High 5 everyone! I know it sounds naff but it's great fun and makes everyone smile. I did it loads in 2007 when everyone was really miserable and it really worked. I hadn't done it since but caught a couple of other people doing it this year and did it for 10 minutes whilst sitting in the Other stage field and it was still fun.

The only other time I did it this year was to the police because I think they make the effort at Glastonbury so it's nice to show that if they have a positive attitude to people it comes back.

Funny though - I was a bit piddled in Birmingham on Friday night I decided to see if you could also High 5 police in Birmingham and was amazed to find that you could! I did 3 completely random ones and they absolutely didn't hesitate! It was a bit of a reminder to me that if you try to take Glastonbury with you, you might be surprised how much of it will come!

Anyway - High 5-ing - incredibly naff and stangely uplifting - try it if you get fed up next year.

[Discoduck]

Hehe what can I say, I'm no delicate flower but I am a city girl through and through, never really slummed it as such. Our minds are unbelievably powerful, and when faced with the option of being sick by going to the long drop or keeping it in, keeping it in always won. It was really weird but each time I'd go to the longdrop convinced this would be the time, I'd gag and all of a sudden I wouldn't need the toilet so much! I managed to keep it all in from about midday Wednesday to Friday morning - very nearly 48 hours but it could have been longer (also, maybe walking in the sun so long on the thurs helped?)

Anyway I discovered the comfy crappers on Sunday but up until that point I'd only ever visited the flushing loos. Just tried limiting myself to twice a day and a lot of the bands I wanted to see were around the pyramid so that helped!

As prepared as I was with all the packing and stuff (I think I did pretty well for my first ever camping experience, didn't forget a single thing!) I really didn't give as much thought to where I'd camp as I should have. I think I just assumed I'd find CT really easy on the wed and everything would be glorious, but you live and you learn. Really should have paid more attention to the number swap thingy but nothing could have prepared me for the size of Glastonbury and I'd just assumed I'd see CT in all it's glory as soon as I went near the pennards. I did ask a couple of security people and volunteers but they didn't know what it was. If I do ever decide on CT again I promise to pay more attention to the finer details

My reason for saying I'd go on the Friday rather than Wednesday was simply because Glastonbury really was a pants experience first couple of days, and I do think a lot if this was due to me being alone. Everything just changed when the music started. I'll probably change my mind closer to the date though and go on the Wednesday!

As I said earlier you live and you learn, I've put the first two days down to experience and there's so much I'd do differently. Firstly I need to stop being so dependent on others and actually pay attention to details like where I'm pitched and parked (that's a whole other story!). I need to prepare better fir things like traffic jams (can't believe I ever thought the journey would take 3 hours tops lol). I need to not give up at smiling at people and saying hello even if they ignore me ... maybe even change camping spots if it becomes apparent I'm camping next to some moody arses. I also need to stop being so overly sensitive, but I do think the MJ thing was in bad taste, as was the BNP camp thing (how offputting was that for me as an Asian!)

Anyway this thread has become a bit moany and it was never intended to be that way. I was chatting to a mate after I posted this thread and she was really shocked I was going back. I tried explaining to how how beautiful and quirky the place can be, and how the people are usually very friendly but she just looked at me blankly and said 'but you couldn't even piss for two days' hehe. It's really hard to explain why I wanna go back, it must be a 'Glasto thing'

My

[ShadyBlueBell]

I do think there was a lot of people there in the same situation as you on there own and probably would have loved to have bumped into you and had a chat made friends etc.

I would suggest that Glastonbury has a tent specially for people whole go it alone this would be a great meeting point for everyone who wants to makes friends and get a a go it alone buddy group

Would it be a good idea Glastonbury????

[Discoduck]

What a lovely post. It says quite alot for the festival when it can pull you back from such despair and keep you. I'm glad you had a good time in the end.

I think what keeps pulling me back is probably, in essence, the same as you. I always think I could have had an even better time if I'd done certain things differently. For you, you may be thinking that if you had managed to meet up with The Triangle, if you had camped nearer the flushing loos, etc etc.

I always come away thinking that theres something I could've done more of. It has varied from "I should have paid more attention to the schedule and seen more bands" to "I spent too much time dashing from stage to stage and I should've relaxed and wandered about more"..........and of course there is always "Next year there might not be any mud!".

On the other hand - a seriously rainy muddy year may help your toilet phobia because their definitely nowhere near as smelly when it's not so hot.

Anyway - next year, It'll be my 10th and it's about time for me to get Glastonbury right.

[hombrederayo]

I do think there was a lot of people there in the same situation as you on there own and probably would have loved to have bumped into you and had a chat made friends etc.

I would suggest that Glastonbury has a tent specially for people whole go it alone this would be a great meeting point for everyone who wants to makes friends and get a a go it alone buddy group

Would it be a good idea Glastonbury????

[Discoduck]

I do think there was a lot of people there in the same situation as you on there own and probably would have loved to have bumped into you and had a chat made friends etc.

I would suggest that Glastonbury has a tent specially for people whole go it alone this would be a great meeting point for everyone who wants to makes friends and get a a go it alone buddy group

Would it be a good idea Glastonbury????

[swede]

I usually go to Leeds or V but went to Glasto this year (first time in 10 years) and will be going every year I can now. The difference was unbelievable, from the shear size of the place to the attention to detail of the place, I was constantly blown away and amazed by the place. I loved the fact that every different place I visited had its own personality and feel completely different to the last field I was in, I loved how stunning the placed looked, compared to how commercialised other festivals look.

The ammount of stuff to do as well, the viewing point, stone circles, trash city, shangri-la, dirty boots disco ect...............nothing like that at V and Leeds.

Then theres the atmosphere, the friendliest enviroment at a festival Ive ever been in, of course you get the occasional nob-head, but thats just life. The ammount of times I was standing watchin a band or queueing for something and id just strike up a conversation with a random person stood near me was brilliant...............I love Leeds to bits bit theres always an edge about the place and some people can be very unwelcoming there, I found none of that at Glasto.

All my friends who didnt go have already registered for next year and im going on my honeymoon, I think that says it all about how magical that place is !!

[chuckley]

u didnt wee for 3 days?! mate u need to see a doctor, tht is very very unhealthy!!!!!!!! even if u wernt drinking u will have dun sum damage!!!!!! ull catch an infection!!!! i was pissing at least 3-4 ltrs a day and that wasnt through alcohol. just pure water!!!!!!

u wasted ur thurs tho. u shoulda gone to the dance village and caught e-17. i agree with the camp thing tho... unfriendly people, but i just went off doin what i wanted to do and tried to not let it bother me.

NEVER use a portaloo tho. long drops are coolios.

[Discoduck]

u didnt wee for 3 days?! mate u need to see a doctor, tht is very very unhealthy!!!!!!!! even if u wernt drinking u will have dun sum damage!!!!!! ull catch an infection!!!! i was pissing at least 3-4 ltrs a day and that wasnt through alcohol. just pure water!!!!!!

u wasted ur thurs tho. u shoulda gone to the dance village and caught e-17. i agree with the camp thing tho... unfriendly people, but i just went off doin what i wanted to do and tried to not let it bother me.

NEVER use a portaloo tho. long drops are coolios.

[mandypants]

I was shocked, ashamed and disgusted when I heard about the BNP camp, they should have been reported and thrown out IMO

[amfy]

Loo advice:

If you can get the hang of it, the She-Pees are the cleanest toilets pretty much anywhere, even though they are by The Pyramid and could therefore easily be awful.

Get travel johns if you would like something purpose made, or simply a fabric conditioner bottle so that you can go in your tent. You do just need to empty it in the loos later but clearly that's nowhere near as bad as having to actually sit in one! I'm not scared of the toilets but taking a fabric conditioner bottle has saved me many an early hours trip across a wet muddy field!

[mandypants]

Loo advice:

If you can get the hang of it, the She-Pees are the cleanest toilets pretty much anywhere, even though they are by The Pyramid and could therefore easily be awful.

Get travel johns if you would like something purpose made, or simply a fabric conditioner bottle so that you can go in your tent. You do just need to empty it in the loos later but clearly that's nowhere near as bad as having to actually sit in one! I'm not scared of the toilets but taking a fabric conditioner bottle has saved me many an early hours trip across a wet muddy field!

[crimsonking]

I was also a lone traveller, but had no probs as I cant think of a better way to go to Glasto IMHO as I can do what I want when I want, and being ex military am pretty used to very basic toilet facilities, I had to laugh at some delicate things putting tissue paper up their noses and running for cover whenever a rain drop fell on them.

The 1st night I got happily blottoed with a gang from Corby, but overnight a little enclave of Manchester pitched between us who were seriously anti social with 4 big inward looking tents, one guy even had to think about it when I offered him my newspaper to read, because they were virtually on top of me and behind me was a hedge I felt a bit isolated when at the tent, just unlucky this year I guess as it is luck of the draw who pitches next to you. Next year could be different, could be the same who knows but as long as you can be friendly and sociable then you've done your bit

Oh and back to the original question, the reason we go back every year is the feeling of emptiness and something missing for the other 360 days of the year.

Edited July 9, 2009 by crimsonking

[mandypants]

We had a mixture of neighbours, one couple cordoned off a whole little 'garden' for themselves, complete with barbecue and picnic table, which was pretty Some of the others were simply quiet, then there was a group of lads who were singing songs with a guitar and we had glow stick fights with them, which was a laugh It is the luck of the draw, but most people are friendly.

[Laura_Babs]

We had a mixture of neighbours, one couple cordoned off a whole little 'garden' for themselves, complete with barbecue and picnic table, which was pretty Some of the others were simply quiet, then there was a group of lads who were singing songs with a guitar and we had glow stick fights with them, which was a laugh It is the luck of the draw, but most people are friendly.

[mandypants]

Glow stick fights? Where were you camped. We had people having a glow stick fight, or more like a full blown war actually! It was Sunday night and we were up in Dairy.