This post is for my friends who said they wanted to know all about my "hippy trip" when I got back. DISCLAIMER: To those of you who just wish to flame me, you may do so on my other post. THIS post is directed at my friends. I welcome your comments, LOL.
The arrival: What can I say of first impressions? We stopped at Welcome Home for directions and then I went the wrong way, LOL. Yes, I tend to get lost sometimes.The area was BEAUTIFUL. And there various branches of law enforcement EVERYWHERE. It was a little daunting. As we were traveling to the "back gate" because they said that was the closest, best place to park, we saw.... It's hard to describe. Amazing really. People of all ages, some with nothing but a little back pack and some with carts of stuff. Everywhere. It was exciting to see and really, looked like something out of the 60's. We also saw people getting thrown on the ground and handcuffed, drug sniffing dogs and MORE law enforcement than I have ever seen anywhere at one in my whole life.
My brush with the law: There were a couple of kids wanting a ride up to the back gate. I had no room in my car so I told them they could jump on the back. SMART idea, ya, I know. Of course, I got pulled over. I flirted and schmoozed my way out of it, even though I had forgotten my proof of insurance! Smart again! Iwas a little upset because I saw they were also hasseling the kids I had given the ride to. That bothered me!
The hike: I live at a little over a mile high. This place was pushing 2 miles. It about kicked my ass! The hike in was 3+ miles. Hmmm, I had been working out and such to prepare... it wasn[t enough! I was sucking air, let me tell you. It was hot all day and cold at night. I have never sweated more in my life. One of the lessons I learned there, PREPARE well in advance for that sort of a workout. Like all year. AND, perhaps more important, I was very impressed with what my body could actually do! It wasn't pretty, LOL, but I did it!
The camp: Lovely, it was so pretty there, a river not far away and high white peaks towering over the trees where we were. What a beautiful area!
The people: The paper said over 7,000 people. That's too many for me. I really hadn't prepared myself for the onslaught of mixed energy that hit me. There was an undercurrent of the old timers. It was a peaceful, determined energy that I resonated with. However, there was a lot of chaotic, angry, pained energy as well. And something I lust couldn't put a name to, a very angry, painful and angst filled energy that it took me until just the other day to figure out.
It was a small snap-shot of the global struggle for peace and freedom. Here was a group of people seeking just just that and the very real powers that be that hatefully opposed them. It was very hard to take. I finally understood why I felt so compelled to go. I have been very much getting involved in the global struggle for freedom and it was very far away and removed from me. As painful as it was for me, I needed to see it, feel and be on the "wrong" side of it.
The medical camp: Hmmm, well, it was great to help people, actually "do" health care without all the charting and orders and blah, blah, blah I have to deal with on a daily basis. THAT was fun. On the other hand.... There are a lot of ego's in health care and this was no exception. And there were the crazies who flock to health care to get attention. I expected better. There was a poor kid distraught over his puppy getting bitten. He accidentally dropped the hand sanitizer which squirted crazy psycho lady in the eye. She was supposed to be a helper. She freaked on him and then said something about "Oh that's just me *manifesting* again! I can manifest REALLY fast" (prissy look on her face). I suggested she try manifesting something positive for a change, LOL. I think health care workers should be as intact as possible and NOT add to the overall problems! There were LOTS of wounds, some really, really sick kids which made me sad. And as for the authorities "just wanting to ensure the safety of everyone including the Rainbows".. I cry BULLSHIT to that. Would they help us get sick people down to the hospital? Ohhh hell no! If you were part of the Rainbow gathering, you were shit on their feet and they DID NOT care what happened at all. I really believe that if a fire broke out and the hippies burned, they'd be roasting weiners and marshmallows, LOL.
The lessons learned: Myraid... I could go on and on. First, we took WAY too much stuff. Second, I need to be better prepared if we go again. NOT bringing more stuff, just fixing myself so I can handle it all better. Setting up some psychic defense for myself. Some very personal that I don't think I want to go into here. I'll say this, I missed my husband very much and realized how much I love him, which was a really good thing to know.
Various stuff I saw: The happy, naked, dancing guy who literally danced naked through the whole gathering (which was HUGE) saying "I love you family! Welcome home!" I said, "I want what he's having!" He was very *happy* and I'm thinking some acid may have been involved. LOL
EVERYONE was so accepting and loving, it was amazing. I think everyone should see this. I truly believe ONLY a bunch of hippies could pull this off. As we walked along, everyone would say, "Welcome home sister, I love you!" It seemed a little odd at first but I got used to it. A few of them called me "mother" and, hey! Now THAT was uncalled for, LOL!
Just the way the whole thing worked. There really was no "boss", no direction. Everyone just got together and did what needed to be done.
Drugs were everywhere. People would just walk up and say, "Ya wanna get high?" I didn't but man, if you wanted too, you could have been stoned the whole time! LOL
Sick kids, street kids, people who really had NOTHING. It was beyond anything I could have ever experienced before. People literally showed up with nothing but a little back pack and the clothes on their back, no shoes even... One girl, probably 17-20, somewhere in there, showed up and just planned on crashing with whoever would let her night to night. Scary! We took her in and when we left, gave her a tent and a sleeping bag.
There was a naked guy serving hor'deurves (sp), LOL Lot's of naked men, a few topless women. Strangely enough, I got the feeling the guys were just being free whereas the women were all about being exhibitionists. Maybe that's just my prejudice cuz I would NEVER have wandered around topless, LOL. And the gathering was that much the better for that! :)
There was this cool little area that had been blocked off that people built rock cairns and stuff in. It was really pretty, amazing. When I get my pics developed, I'll post the pics. Anyway, one night as I walked by, there was a guy with a goopy l;ook on his face standing in the middle of it. I said HI and asked him what was going on. He said, "Ha, I can't get out man! They won't let me out!" I inquired further and he told me he was "tripping balls" and he couldn't get out of the area. LOL Being the kind hearted person I was, I told him to be VERY careful to NOT step in the fairy ring or the fairies would come get him and carry him off to the fairy realm, LOL. Okay, I suppose it was mean but I laughed, hehe. I was him later and he was okay!
It was an amazing trip and I am glad I went. I don't know if I'll go again. We'll have to see. I am sure this doesn't do justice to whole experience I had. I welcome your comments! Much love and light to you all!
Peace Lily