situation difficult and Vivekananda had second thoughts about participating in the Parliament. The collected money was returned to the donors. At this, Alsinga started to feel disappointed, but, at the same time, Vivekananda went to Hyderabad where people requested and encouraged him to go to America as a preacher. The Nizam of Hyderabad too promised to donate 1000 for the journey and other expenditures. Vivekananda also had a dream involving his master, Ramakrishna, where he asked him to go to America. Thus, the planning was revived once again. Alasinga and other members of his team started collecting money with new enthusiasm and very soon they gathered 4000. Vivekananda departed on his journey for America from Bombay. After reaching America, Vivekananda learned that the Parliament would not start until September 1893. He started facing financial trouble. On 20 August he wrote a letter to Alasinga where he related— The expense I am bound to run into here is awful. You remember, you gave me £170 in notes and £9 in cash. It has come down to £130 in all!! On an average it costs me £1 every day; a cigar costs eight annas of our money. The Americans are so rich that they spend money like water, and by forced legislation keep up the price of everything so high that no other nation on earth can approach it. Every common coolie earns nine or ten rupees a day and spends as much. All those rosy ideas we had before starting have melted, and I have now to fight against impossibilities. A hundred times I had a mind to go out of the country and come back to India. ... ... ... After such a struggle, I am not going to give up easily. Only try your best to help me as much as you can; and even if you cannot, I must try to the end. And even if I die of cold or disease or hunger here, you take up the task. Holiness sincerity, and faith. I have left instructions with Cooks to forward any letter or money to me wherever I am. Rome was not built in a day. If you can keep me here for six months at least, I hope everything will come right. In the meantime, I am trying my best to find any plank I can float upon. And if I find out any means