Splendor vs harsh conditions

 October 1, 2023

Meadowbrooke site 17

Follansbee, WV

Dad really thought it was raining out so he grabbed his raincoat before taking me outside this morning.  Well, would you believe it wasn't rain we were hearing falling on our roof?  The fog was so dense and moist that the tree was 'raining' droplets of fog moisture on us. 

Plans had been made for a 9 am departure with Jan and Bill.  I was beginning to wonder if we would see them arrive with all the dense fog. 

Momma and Dad had a busy day with Jan and Bill acting as tour guides.  The first adventure was in West Virginia in a location that was accessible via a winding upgrade on a newly paved, narrow road.  Dad said that was the smoothest road he has traveled all summer.  The road crew really knew what they were doing when they paved the road.  No dips and bumps .....just smooth pavement.

The view was impressive, not only of the area looking down in the valley.....notice the lingering fog

but the Palace of Gold was ornate and imposing as well

This awesome Palace of Gold was built totally by untrained volunteers who studied and took on the task of building what started out as a home for Prabhupada but was finished as a palace to honor his life and teaching, as he died during construction.  

It would be hard to exaggerate the magnificence with 8000 square feet of 22kt gold, 52 varieties of marble and onyx, homemade Austrian crystal chandeliers, masterful original paintings, teakwood furnishings and stained glass incorporated into this Palace of Gold.  Sorry, no pictures allowed inside this palace created to honor the life and teachings of Prabhupada.  We even had to don booties.

The property itself is extensive including a temple, cabins and lodging as well as beautiful gardens.  The society is dedicated to the philosophy and practice of Krishna Consciousness, also known as Bhakti-yoga.

The day continued going from splendor to .....well,  I guess you could call it harsh, primitive housing....the old prison.

 

Inmates were locked into cells with just enough room for a body to lay down next to a toilet.  Yep, that's Dad in the blue, behind bars.

Our tour guide, Garett, shared tales of the life of the prisoners as well as the guards, including the violence in the prison over the years and the unsavory conditions with rats and flies in a non-heated, non-air conditioned environment.  Needless to say, this prison is no longer in service and conditions for prisoners as well as the employees have changed dramatically.

It was an interesting day spent with friends for Momma and Dad. I didn't see much action until Dad came home and we played ball.

I'm Chloe