postcard from India (2)

27. January 2013
Hi Everyone

Well what fun we've had the last few days. After the procession to the Sangam, we sat at our boat for days trying to get permission to launch it. We had permission, but it was withdrawn. Indian bureaucracy  as it is, and the political system etc, conspired against us, so we spent the time talking to the media, and untold thousands of Indians, who all knew about us, and wanted to come up and meet us. 

This also afforded us lots of time to walk around and check things out. The boat predicament also gave us a special chance to go into some of the Sunyasi camps and check them out. Some of these 'bubas' are very genuine and will not accept any money or do anything that you would consider unholy, but a lot expect you to give them money, and sit around smoking hash. This is supposed to bring on enlightenment. To me it just looks like getting stoned !!!  Enlightenment, well, you need to pass the time doing something. They don't do much else. By the way, smoking weed and hash is legal for these guys. 

The Mela grounds are vast, really really vast. You would never consider walking to find the end. We've met some really interesting people, had dinner cooked for us by a group of peasants the other night, amazing food, and so far we have only come across two other white people. As I said before, it doesn't matter how poor these people are, they will gladly share what they have, (with strangers  mind you) and help in whatever way they can. You just have to love the Indian people. 

Camp living at the Mela 

The vastness of it all

Bathing in Ganga

That's all for now. 

Bye from India !!! 

28. January 2013

 Had a great time at the Mella yesterday. It was one of the main bathing days, so thought I'd go and check it out by myself. Here's some photos. 

The crowd. This was late in the day, so most had gone, but there are still millions.

These big fat juicy pawpaws are just from heaven! They're almost red inside and just so delicious! A big one will cost you about 60 rupees, so of course we love to buy lots of them. I know you're jealous! I'll take you to India sometime to buy some.

A group of Sudhu's that we befriended last night. They cooked us dinner, so we went to the shops and bought them a heap of veg and milk. I visited them again today, and was asked to sit with them. Stayed for hours. These guys are interesting. We talked as best we could, it was fun. They were very appreciative of our help and they gave me a blessing, placed a red streak up above my nose, and asked me to smoke chilems with them. This is a mixture of tobacco, spices and hash or weed. I declined, and a few were very insistent, and they got offended when I refused. Apparently it is a great honour to be asked to smoke with them. It was all smoothed over in the end. Had lots of fun!!  You would love it Evi. (I don't think he means the hash!!)

Will write again when the mood takes me. Love to all !!!

PS - - I hope you are enjoying Stuy's outlook on India? If you are interested to find out more about the Kumbh Mela follow the link to the official site for all the latest updates!!! 

And for those that asked about his funny tummy...... it's all good now!