Guptkashi

After yesterday’s long journey to reach a small village outside the hiking point of Kedarnath temple, I am full of angst and anticipation. Its good to be scared of the unknown I remind myself through meditation. Relax - all will be good. “What was I thinking?” You could have been on a beach in Goa, or stayed in the safety of Rishikesh...but no instead you are about to go deep inside the valley and trek some 14 K and sleep in a tent for two days, totally primitive inside the Himalayan with no running water, electricity, internet, hot water, warm food...you name it. Not sure of myself right about now.

Upon arrival last night at 7pm in our modest guest house I felt upgraded from last year’s journey as I received a huge bucket of hot water to bathe with, as opposed to last years trek of two small glasses of hot water...I was thrilled! So tired after our all-day car ride through miles of turns and curves I settle into bed and am deep in the land of dreams by 8pm - I prefer the early morning here best anyways. Plus after Ratio (our amazing guide) informs me that we are in the woods for three days, two nights my mind goes numb and I have to sleep.

Now onto our Indian staff.

Our driver, Kalyan Singh, is very quiet because he does not speak english but we manage to communicate as I have to ride shotgun with the two boys in the back (Scott and Rashik) to avoid complete car sickness. We jam to Indian tunes (hilarious) that sometimes sound like American songs I know. I am comforted by the fact that even though we've had 108 near misses of head on collisions with huge trucks and vans we make it by I swear because ever temple, shrine we pass performs the familiar gesture of touching your heart and third eye (very similar to the Catholic gesture) and that comforts me. I soon join as two is better then one.

Our guide, rakesh kumar, which I've met for the first time has been mountaineering for 15+ years and actually graduated from a special school in Darjeeling! Oh good I think because this guy is totally in control and as I share with him I RARELY ever let anyone be in control - so he better have it together. He shares oh so many storied on the way! He is well versed in all Hindu mythology and even though Scott just gets overwhelmed by all the names each diety has he listens attentively. He pulls on his non-existent head of hair just to keep up and figure it out. I smile and understand - but I've been following the stories longer.

This morning I sit on the rooftop after my sadhana thinking, wow you've raised the bar this year. So this is what happens when you plan a journey like this in 5 days and don't have time to process what to do.

All of India is just one huge altar I determine.