[Sca-cooks] Re: things they dont explain about Pennsic

[Tara Sersen Boroson]

 >>I never knew there were kosher laws about materials. How

>> very interesting.  
>> Now I have one more thing to put on my list of stuff to find 
>> out more about. 
>>   Thanks.
>> Olwen

>
>The rule is called "shatnez".  Here's a quick explanation -
> http://www.aish.com/literacy/mitzvahs/Wool_and_Linen_=_Shatnez.asp

I understand this to mean that they cannot be combined in one garment: 
"One of these is the prohibition against wearing a mixture of wool and 
linen in the same piece of clothing, as it is written, 'You shall not 
wear combined fibers, wool and linen together' (Deut. 22:11)."  Though, 
clearly, many kosher laws are practiced much more strictly than they are 
written - for instance, some people keep chicken and butter in seperate 
refrigerators because you're not supposed to "boil a kid in it's 
mother's milk."  Is this a similar instance, where people won't wear two 
seperate garments of linen and wool Just In Case?

Other tips I've learned about Pennsic:

Don't assume you can prereg for a camp without talking to the folks in 
that camp.  Among other reasons, although technically they allot space 
based on number of people, some blocks are so full and occupied by camps 
that have years worth of squatters rights that there just isn't any more 
room to be had.  Thus, even if a camp gets 20% more campers one year, 
they won't get 20% more space.  This doesn't neccisarily mean that a 
camp can't find room for you - but it may be a tight squeeze and you 
won't get your full theoretical allotment.  Even if the camp gets it's 
full allotment, it will probably require that you "donate" part of your 
space for public space - campfire, dining tent.  While you are alloted 
250 square feet, you may be asked to keep your personal space down to 
maybe 200 feet.  Definately talk to folks about the culture of the 
camp.  Will you be required to sign up for gate duty?  Is there a meal 
plan, and if so will you be required to sign up to cook or clean a 
certain number of times?  If it's a small camp, perhaps people take 
turns going into town to do laundry and shop.  Make sure you know what 
responsibilities you'll have in your camp, as well as what the 
advantages are.

Unless you've been going to Pennsic for years and really have it down to 
a science, you'll end up going into town; so, don't worry about carting 
every morsel of food you think you'll need all the way from home, and if 
you're not comfortable going to town in garb, bring enough street clothes.

Pennsic water turns brown when it gets warm.  It's, well, rust.  The 
water has a high iron content, and when heated it oxidizes.  Don't freak 
out if your solar shower bag or your dish washing water turns 
reddish-brown.  It also has an odor from the sulfur content that becomes 
more pronounced when it gets hot.  Neither the iron nor the sulfur will 
hurt you unless you have a really sensitive tummy, but you may find them 
distasteful especially if you've never had well water.

If you're in a busy camping area, keep an ear peeled for when the 
port-a-potty trucks clean the toilets, and go use them while they're 
still fresh and innocent.  They clean them a couple times a day, 
fortunately.  If you have to use them late at night, especially in a 
high traffic area, take a flashlight - especially if you're wearing long 
skirts.

The solar showers are best around late afternoon - plenty of time for 
the sun to do it's work.  The "real" showers are, as stated in the 
previous e-mail, best in the wee hours of the mornin'.

Remember that it's illegal to carry alcohol across state lines.  If 
you're bringing homebrew or cordials, be wary.  If you're bringing a 
couple cases of Beast because the boys down at Bob's Beer Shak give you 
a special deal on the outdated stuff, well, is it really worth the 
risk?  (From a true story... a guy I knew in college bought the outdated 
cases of Beast because they were $6.  Regular price was only $8.  All I 
could do was shake my head and sigh, and enjoy my real beer...)

-Magdalena

-- 
Tara Sersen Boroson

Cleaning and cooking can wait for tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs, dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.