Syncro de Mayo is a bit over a week away and we have an update on recent 
developments.

NEWS:

Volkswagen Camper & Commercial Magazine (UK) will have a representative 
present for a possible story on the event in a future 
issue.  http://www.volkswagencamper.co.uk/  A paper from LA might show up 
as well.  They expressed some interest, but nothing certain yet.

VolksCafe.com and GoWesty will be set up in the vendors area.  There will 
be room for others to set up if they wish, including private parties with 
extensive parts to sell (like a few did last year).  Private parties are 
also free to sell/swap parts from their camp sites.

The masseuse will be present commencing at 5:00 on Friday through 
Sunday.  Massages are 10-60 minutes at $1/minute. Bring your own sheet for 
the massage table or pay $5 for one of Brigitte's.  Make your reservations 
for Friday massages at pgb@dolby.com (Peter Buettner).  Brigitte will take 
reservations for Saturday and Sunday massages on site.  We will have a 
tent/dome set up for massages in a shady, cool area of camp.

Cris Torlasco from the WetWesties and pilot/mechanic for his Traves�a 
Panamericana will be coming down from Eugene, Oregon (likely in a syncro) 
along with his German mechanic friend, Joachim.  Cris and his wife took a 
1982 diesel Vanagon from Oregon to Agrentina, overland the entire way 
except water crossings.  See 
http://torlasco.tripod.com/panamericanaoverland/id10.html

Paul and Dot Guyzk from British Columbia will be coming in their 1972 
Westy, which they have taken from north of the Arcic Circle down to 
Panama.  See http://www.pauldottrip.com/index_northamerica.html

Detlev Hanschke from http://www.vanagonproject.com/ will be coming at least 
for Saturday.  I will not mention the other luminaries already mentioned in 
previous posts, but there will be quite a roster of talent and personality 
in attendance this year.  It is reaching critical mass.

MISC INFO:

Please, if you are going to come and have not yet registered, please at 
least drop me an e-mail.  I know of about a dozen people who have not 
registered yet, but who indicated they are coming.  We want to be sure to 
have enough chicken, beer and marked camping spaces for everyone, so please 
send me a heads up.  It is OK to pay when you get there if you have not yet 
sent in your registration, just drop me an e-mail or register through 
paypal (send a payment along with registration info to above address).  It 
is OK to be a last minute straggler, we will welcome you.  But e-mail if 
you can.

We will need your cooperation when it comes to camping spaces.  The 
campsite has room for 300 people, but the prime camping spots are not as 
plentiful.  Please respect the areas we mark off and designate as separate 
camping spots.  This may mean that some camps will share a common picnic 
table, but there will be ample room if the marked off boundaries are 
respected.  Bring leveling wood for your van.  Not all of the sites are flat.

When you arrive, after you pull into Area Five and drive up to the 
beginning of the camping area, park your van in the designated area (there 
will be a sign) and walk to find your camping spot.  Only then go back and 
get your van.  We do NOT want people endlessly circling the camp loop 
looking for that prime spot.  That happened one year and it was a PIA for 
everyone.  And remember, there will be young children running wild and they 
have the right of way at all times.  You must stop for them if they cross 
or come close to your path of travel.  Treat them as though they are a rare 
and wild and unpredictable endangered species.   Same with the wild pigs 
and turkeys.

Watch out for the pigs.  They will swipe your brownies quicker than greased 
lightening if you leave them out.  They hide in the bush and wait for an 
opening.  Last year, they mounted a coordinated raid on the final night, 
sending a gaggle of slightly inebriated syncronauts charging into the 
darkness trying to chase them away.

Please bring 1-3 pieces of firewood and a salad, side-dish, loaf of bread 
or bottle of wine for the Sat. BBQ dinner.   Please Drive safely and do not 
risk falling asleep at the wheel like one participant did last year!

Thanks!

http://www.syncro.org/SdM_events.html