When I received the email advising of the imminent arrival of Sripad Goswami Maharaj at Villa Govinda in Italy, I could hardly contain myself. I had only recently returned to Malta after spending a glorious few weeks with the Italian devotees over Sri Gaura Purnima; in Rome, Terni, and finally Villa Govinda near Milan. How could I now find an excuse for the expense involved in flying back and forth so soon? I played a game with anybody who crossed my path in the next couple of days: "Yes or no?" I would ask. "Yes," they would all say, including my employer who had no qualms over letting me go again only five weeks on. So, thanks to the divine mercy of Srila Gurudev Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, within a week I was delighted to be flying back to see my Italian family.

I was the first to arrive. I knew without a doubt that several other devotees would visit from neighbouring countries, but I had no idea to what extent. I was surprised that the next devotee, Nitai Sundara Prabhu, arrived all the way from the United States. Following over the next few days were groups of devotees from Hungary, UK, and other parts of Italy… a truly beautiful international gathering comprising more than six countries of origin, excluding states and provinces.

Sripad Goswami Maharaj arrived later on the same day I did, on Monday 15th May. From the first moment when we welcomed him at the airport, he began to inspire us with his preaching - telling various stories and explaining philosophy - providing the Krishna-katha to quench our thirst.