Thursday, January 2nd, 2025
Port Au Spain, Trinidad
My flight to Trinidad and Tobago was with Caribbean Airlines, boarding in Toronto. The distinguishable hummingbird insignia, flying backwards and flapping at high speed, was my lead to the proper queue.
I was surprised that devotees who booked me put me on business class seat 1A. That was kind of them. When the flight attendant came around asking for a preferred breakfast, I made it clear, “No animals!” Anyways, she got it.
When I went through customs at Port Au Spain, I handed in my form. It took time to review. A second layer of customs didn’t find my form complete. Section C was not meant for a single monk. The gentleman guided me and added a courteous warming, “Trinidad is in a state of emergency,” he said.
“I didn’t know that.”
“Crime of a rampant nature,” was what one devotee told me eventually.
I was headed for the baggage department and beyond. In the long corridor where tourists are encouraged to spend on taboos, a large banner reads, “Enjoy with us to the beat of our rum!” Did it ever occur that intoxicants and crime might be related?
Three kind members of the Longdenville community came to greet me. A garland, hugs, and an orange sheet draped over the passenger seat, were meant for the tourist – me.
As soon as I arrived, I took to sleep for an hour before giving two classes from the Bhagavad-gita – one on Zoom, a second in person. No one was going to let me get away with not eating. A multigrain sandwich did the trick.
MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!
? STEPS
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