First, go to [this] website. It explains a lot of stuff that I'm pretty sure will sound unbelievable at first.
Secondly, I guarantee you it's all true.
Third, I see you've got some of your crew to help you out, so there you go, you're not in terribly bad shape. A lot of people show up without people they know to help them, so you're lucky.
Fourth, I am Teja, and I grew up in this particular reality. If you need any answers, feel free to ask them.