Yesterday three devotees from Italy
arrived for a sustained visit.
They are Ananda Kishore, his wife Linda,
and their seven-year-old son, Filippo.
They arrived in the afternoon and honored
prasadam and then
met with me.
They were happy to see me
and a little overwhelmed.
They asked if this occasion
was actually real, after so much anticipation.
We have given them the spacious guest room
in the rear of the house.
Ananda Kishore will have to
work six hours a day at his job on the computer.
Linda said she would be free and would cook
healthy prasadam.
They are both new and enthusiastic
devotees. Filippo doesn’t speak English,
but he is able to read Italian. His mother
said he is not very social, and will
be able to occupy himself
in the company of his parents.
I gave them a copy of the art catalogue/book
of my paintings that are being exhibited
by the Museum of Sacred Art.
They looked through the book
and were impressed. They appreciate
that although my paintings are primitive,
they fit into the Outsider Art Movement
and have a vitality of their own.
They are humble and intelligent people.
Ananda Kishore is my siksa disciple.
He received diksa initiation
from Radhanatha Swami. Linda is
taking to Krishna Consciousness gradually.
It is unfortunate that we cannot
speak to Filippo, but he has his parents
and he likes to read.
They plan to stay for a long time. I hope
they don’t get bored or become restless.
They have been looking forward to
this visit with great anticipation.