Click here for photos.

Padayatra America 2004, #4
From Avadhuta
Siromani Dasa
Posted Nov. 26, 2004

June 8–13

We were coming close to the Peninsula of Bolivar. Being near the beach meant wind, sand, and swamps with thousands of mosquitoes. There is an epidemic there, and we, including the horses, had had a few nights of difficult sleep. One night we saw a black cloud next to the wagon, six feet long and four feet wide. We had never seen anything like that before.

After due consideration of roads and after counsel with local and county authorities in Louisiana and Texas, we decided to take the coastal route for our passage through the East Texas and Houston area. This would bring us through Port Arthur, Galveston, Freeport, Port Lavaca, and eventually down through the Corpus Christi area.

We arrived at the ferry platform at Port Bolivar in the evening and spoke with the officials on duty. We explained our purpose and unique situation to see what could be done.

After several hours of waiting, we secured a special permit with the tower patrol controller per the state of Texas and Houston office. We were told by the evening employee in the tower (Galveston post) to return at 9:00 a.m. the following day and that we would be allowed to pass on a charter ferry (no other passengers). Satisfied by the statement of the controller that the confirmation was registered in the computer in Houston, we went to sleep at 1:00 am.

The next day we arrived at the gate at precisely 9 o'clock, but to our surprise there was no ferry and the gate attendant didn't know anything about the previous night's arrangement, nor did the tower controller on duty.

After waiting for some time, we met with the senior captain, hoping to alleviate the confusion. We felt confident he would clear up the situation and we would soon be able to continue.

We explained the arrangement, but the senior captain on duty most belligerently refused and dismissed us with a wave of his hand. "Go back through Houston," he said, leaving us in the heat of the day (up to 90 degrees that day) with no shade for the horses and no alternative.

We called the local police, and Sheriff Elder told us that the ferry and water was under federal jurisdiction and that the state was willing to let us pass but the ferry was not. Nonetheless he would try to find a trailer for us to cross in.

The local newspaper came to hear bout our situation. At 5.00 p.m. we were still waiting at the ferry entrance. All of us— Vitthalesvara prabhu, Candrabhaga, Kana, Balaji, and I were crowded under a picnic bench parasol when Mr. Ewing appeared with his wife. They had seen us that morning and wondered what was holding us back.

We told them, and they immediately offered their place for us stay that night (three miles away). In the morning they would personally haul us over in their trailer.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Elder had arranged transportation for us to cross that very night, but we did not know. He showed up at the house of Mr. Ewing with the Galveston Mounted Patrol and about 10 more hands ready to go.

Well that would have been great except for one thing: After we arrived at Galveston Island there would be 12 miles of city to cross. This would take three hours, but there was only 45 minutes of sunlight left.

No problem. The sheriff and his men worked overtime that night helping us cross the ocean and the city of Galveston.

All glories to their team effort! After a long day, we were again on the side of the road, on the other side of the ocean. Sleep at 12 a.m.

Hare Krsna.

© dipika.org Nov. 26, 2004