Where and what to buy comes up every year from the virgin burner and it varies widely by region. Since this is the Seattle thread though - we have just narrowed down our search by that much. A list of specific stores is being worked on for the Puget Sound and will be up soon.
The list of durable and consumable goods can be as long or short to suit any burners taste, budget, and level of comfort desired. Some burners keep BM simple on purpose and revel in the simplicity they can attain on playa. While others see BM as their one and only escape for the year and may spend massive amounts to make their journey the perfect trip for them.
Regardless, there must be a consensus as to what the BARE minimums are - regardless of where they come from. The main items are:
- Ticket: Without a ticket there is no point in going. 2007 was the last year for gate sales as well. So you must purchase your ticket beforehand and as early as you can to save a buck. Burningman is one of the only venues that uses a tiered ticket pricing system, where the longer you wait the more the ticket costs. many burners, even if not sure they can attend for the year buy a ticket on speculation knowing they can resell at a later date if they cannot go.
- Transportation: whether your drive yourself, carpool, take a bus, fly, train or walk. You need to get yourself, ticket and supplies to Gerlach Nevada. If you fly to Reno and expect to rent a car you will have several problems. First is in the fact that many rental companies will not rent to Burningman bound participants because of the detailing it requires to get the playa out of the car. Second is the availability of cars themselves. A lot of people plan on renting that week and it is labor day weekend as well... Sacramento is the next feasible city to find rentals but adds 2.5 hours to the drive time.
- Water: Now that you have a ticket and have arrived at BM, you will need water. You can bum water from other participants but that will get old - really quick. 1.5 gallons per person for drinking, dishes and a modicum of hygiene is the rule of thumb. I bring 3 gallons per person per day for myself - but I also give away a lot as well.
- Food: You will have to eat, but at the same time you will not eat as much as you think you will. Every year I bring food only to bring a third or more of it home. Leave as much of the packaging at home as possible as well this reduces MOOP and makes room for more items.
- Shelter: You will need a place to sleep and a place to chill in the day to recover. My first 5 burns I used small tents and tried to stay out of the truck and car to keep it clean as much as possible. If you sleep in a tent, ZIP IT UP!!!! or it will be filled with dust from the daily bout of dusts storms. There is a myriad of structures you can sleep in Yurts, Domes, Campers, Tents, Cars, Trailers, RV's, and even Cardboard boxes. One close friend lives in 4 refrigerator sized boxes every year. He adds windows, multiple air filters for dust control, and cuts a hole in the side for his AC unit. End of the week he cleans them out, packs the windows, air filters and AC unit away and burns his custom home.
- Day Shade: You cannot hide in the car, or a bar, or in the tent the when not engaged in BM.. you will need a place to relax. Even if it is just a tarp coming off the side of your rented mini van. You need shade and a chair.
- BICYCLE - after the ticket, water, food and shelter a bicycle is the single most useful item you will have at burningman. It is a long way from one side to the other.
- bike lock to keep your bike. 99 percent of the "Stolen" bicycles at BM merely end up elsewhere and are not kept for more than one ride.
- warm clothing - gets cold at night
- pots and pans to cook
- utensils and plates to eat off of
- some tubs to clean dishes in
- soap for you and your dishes
- chap stick
- goggles and sunglasses
- face mask for dust storm. ( I do not use, but most people do)
- outfits for parties and costumery to your preference
- camera
- garbage bags for all your refuse
- toiletries that are biodegradable no multi-ply TP. Wipes and feminine products cannot go in the porta poopers either.
- boozeahol to your preference
- more to come.
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