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| | Enviado Jueves, 14 de Julio de 2005 - 11:47 am: |  |
Padayatra América
April
After Tuxpan we take the Interstate highway (Autopista) towards Papantla. Still more hills- up and down. This route was more mild for slopes, but the interstate (autopista) is more difficult for padayatra life: no villages, towns or ranches—nothing! The roads are blocked to pull off onto the side by a big curb and there´s practically no grass.
Forget about the Autopistas! even if there is more traffic and the road is more hilly/curvy it is better to travel the federal roads (secondary highways) where more people are present.
Back to route 180 after Papantla- small towns and villages everywhere!
Today after some of our most strenuous hills we stop in Guiterrez Zamora and tomorrow will be a resting day. People are coming all evening bringing all kinds of things as donations. We are in a dense citrus land – thousands and thousands of acres- for days we are seeing orange (and mandarin) trees. We have so many oranges that we are making gallons of fresh juice and distributing the prasada.
Moving on, we come to the coastal beach road “Coasta Esmeralda” – a stretch of beach tourist commuinites Guadalupe, Playa Oriente, Lagitas, Rancho Nuevo- every 4/5 km (2 miles) another village. Donations of fresh milk and cheese are common in this area. The people are simple; in most cases uneducated but very sincere and spiritually advanced.
Our preaching is to focus on the Deities- as this is familar for their custom; and the mission (distributing the Holy Name of Krsna). Balaji is always breaking the ice for the shy people.
We are coming close to Cardel....the land is turning into vast sugar cane fields- lots of water available via irrigation. Taking route 150 we are advised about thieves. Well, let Lord Nrsimhadeva protect us.
One day we are looking for a place to stop roadside for the night. Not much available, but it´s time! So at least there is a 20 foot (8 meter) pull-off just big enough for the size of one car admist the continuous ditch running parallel that is fairly common on this road. After unhitching the animals a brand new car appeared entering the ranch just across the street from us. The lady within suggested (rather shortly) that we move because the spot is potentially dangerous (rogues). We cannot move, however because it is already dark, and it is the only spot available. Instead of argueing this point, I introduce ourselves and ask for some water . Reluctant, the woman refused! And remarked that the horse will have to wait for tomorrow; that they didn´t have any...Hare Krsna......I return to the wagon. However, 30 minutes later she felt remorse and sent a worker with a bucket of water.
The next day before leaving, one very sincere woman came to invite us for breakfast.
After some discussion, (the Lord deciding to accept her devotion) we planned to take a rest day on her farm- which turned out to be the same ranch (they usually have many- 3 or 4 or more families on one ranch) of the night before. Después de alguna plática (el Señor decidió aceptar su devoción) planeamos permanecer el día de descanso en su granja que está al lado del rancho, normalmente hay 3-4 familias por rancho,
Meanwhile we had a very nice resting day on the farm of Mrs. Edith- a very inquisitive family-favorable and pious; The whole family gathered to bid us farewell. Everybody (including the reluctant woman from the night before) were very appreciative and got a good impression of us. Moving on...
Everywhere in this area (the highway after Veracruz) there are small villages- and thousands are being blessed by the presence of Sri Nitai Gaurasundara and the Holy Name. We cross the town of Tierra Blanca without any problem. After passing one village we stop for a quick rest and one family came offering us cold handmade (just right now made) orange juice from their tree. When the neighbors and passers-by see the show they naturally come out and offer us their local commodities- oranges, cheese, hay for the horses, money. Everybody was fascinated with the Deities- suddenly one gentleman ask me if I have a small set of Deities I can give to him Hare Krsna! that´s a new one. People sometimes ask for a picture or to touch Them but never before to have Them! We gave him a picture and he was satisfied. Moving on...
Before dark we stop on a big grassy spot next to a restaurant and a lady came out with a container of cold water...simple lady, talk alot! extremely humble and pious; she wants to help with everything! Next morning she came with a beautiful bunch of tropical flowers from her garden and before offering them to the Deities she gave us the name of each one. Simple people, simple devotion towards the Lord and unlimited reciprocation.
Moving on... mystical arrangements happen all the time: one day we come into town and need horse food, but we come to find out (as it sometimes is) that the highway doesn`t go through town, but around it. In the cases that we are in need of food it is difficult to detour into downtown because it makes unnecessary work for the animals. So at that moment at 2pm on that hot dusty highway without any alternative and not enough feed to make it to the next town, a gentleman that we saw a few days back I was speaking with appeared on the scene. Immediately he offered to bring the food in his car. Hare Krsna! Like this, the Lord solving all obstacles is the life of padayatra. Moving on...
We are coming close to the next state of “Oaxaca” on Hwy 150 the most busiest stretch of road we have been. Thousands of big trucks – produce trucks, soda, water, sugar cane caravans... “El Huracan” (the hurricane), “Viejo pero Trabajo” (old but works), “El Recochero” (playful guy), “Regalo de Dios” (gift of God) etc. etc. Day after day so many trucks passing us each customized with the owner´s favorite saying or name billboarded across the front windshield- a very cultural scene.
Saturday...today we will pass Novara and Cuidad Aleman then we need to decide which road to take towards Guatemala, either through Tuxtepec “the tunnel road” or to Acayucan the main business route.Let´s see where the Lord wants to distribute. We are moving on slowly- 20/25 km a day. Candrabhaga dasi is struggling with the humidity like never before, Balaji is also a little uncomfortable. Radha Kunda and Manjari, being tropical natives (“criollas”) are very comfortable in the weather- sometimes they don’t even care for shade in the heat of the day!! And continue their work diligently. The humidity and temperatures sometimes over 100 degrees F (37 C) are becoming just part of the traveling. We are preparing for embarking Central America: Tapachula-Guatemala border is 500 km ahead. The topography is green, green! Everywhere palmas, cocos, papayas, mangoes, bananas; wild fruits and flowers of all shapes and colors- plants like elephant ears and tropical leaves and creepers.
Moving on, moving on.
¡Hare Krishna!
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