Jai Ganga Maha Ganga Jai ganga Ma

The complete story of a new sector of my life begins here:

I boarded the train from Delhi at midnight. I was immediately nervous. I spent the day getting my internet data card set up. First I went to the shop to buy one and they said I needed proof of residence. So I cam back like 2 hours later and was told the same story so I asked if there was any plan I could get to use a phone or card for a short term here in India. I had to ask like 6 guys the same questions until finally the first guy gave me one and it was done. Almost. They told me it would not work on my laptop so i had to take it to a special set up center or I could try and do it myself. Well i took it back to the house and there was no problem getting it up and running. So  the real problem was how was i going to get power to my computer since Ia m on the us system and if i plugged it in it could possibly fry my machine. Tht would be devastating. Well, I used the computer to call dell support in the USA which routed me to a support center in Calcutta, upon which the operator routed me to another place somewhere else in India to speak to someone else who did not have th3e answer. However, that person did manage so call someone else in some other country which had the answer and I was set!!!! Ready for high tech travel communications from my tent anywhere in India. WooHoo!
Well lets talk about the train ride. So i was really terrified i think mostly because I knew there would be no chance of sleep in this 2nd class car. I tried and tried to sleep but there was too much going on in my head and around me to even think about it. Mantra, prana yama, happy thoughts and all of the above just didn't work. So I began the moksha mantra and repeated it for 4 hours until I arrived. Now its a miracle I even arrived because its not like anyone tells you this is your stop. I happen to notice the train was not moving and looked outside and saw that there were a lot of people hanging out. I noticed the sign Haridwar and my heart skipped a beat… I now know I am not in Kansas anymore. Before my eyes i see these people are pilgrims from all over India and sleeping around the train station because they are very poor. They are filthy muted colors from their journey here to greed God at Kumb Mela.
I begin to exit the train and I hear
“MR. Johnson” its my guide meeting me. Roshan. We got into the range rover and headed towards the camp where i would stay the next 5 days. After about 20 minutes of driving I realize this is going to be a sole act of God’s grace that this trip is successful to Kumb Mela. The camp was located a long ways form town which would serve as a benefit for my time there after a few days of the tour. I crawl into my tent about 6am and sleep about an hour and then I’m up and running. to see the sights.
Day one: Its pouring rain. Everything I brought will now be used…Rain coat, garlic pills, pro-biotic, health bars, common sense, surrender and presence. In the camp there are 4 50 something Italian’s, some of whom have been to the Mela in the past. One man named Franco’s was really a crazy guy…but he served as my guide for the first day. In the rain, we visited the pilgrim camps where the Naga Baba’s, swami’s and devotee’s resided. I am tired, but aware, I am cold and wet, but I am here and now, surrendering to the discomfort.
We walked through the mud, and rain to greet the Baba’s. Franco had done this before so it was perfect for me to get the first access to this experience. He was a tourist Naga addict. All he cared about was seeing as many Naga as possible and really missing the point to being here and now. Its was kind of a circus tour for him, without real appreciation for the beings in front of him and what they were about. I know it would be important for me to observe this day to see how the people interact. After about 6-7 hours of touring with them, we headed back to camp. I was anxious to leave them actually because I had a good contact with the Indian army and wanted to call them. The dinner was ready and I passed since I was so tired and slept very well in my tent at the base of the Himalaya
mountains.