River spent his seventh birthday eating coconuts and mangoes that had fallen from the trees. But River never felt frightened,
"When you're raised on the road, you don't fear this things; you don't question them. We had faith, a lot of faith."
With the help of a priest, the family managed to stow away on a freighter which was taking toys to the U.S.. In the middle of the journey they were discovered, but the crew realized Arlyn was pregnant, and they were so charmed by the rest of the family that they were treated very well. They even gave them damaged toys as presents.
The family arrived in Florida in late 1978, without money or personal possessions, except for a guitar that had been given to River as a gift. River did not attend school during any of this time. This left him extremely undereducated when compared to other children his age.
la casa de rio
