I remember those Hare Krishnas. One fine clear day, coming out of the main U. of Florida library, I could see in a glance the Krishnas, a fire and brimstone street preacher, and a Trotskyite communist group all fishing for student recruits. I consoled myself with the observation that there did not seem to be any takers.
Absolutely saw the same thing growing up. Gainesville was a special place for that kind of “diversity” even back in the 70’s.
The Plaza was always entertaining, free lunch with the Krishnas, Brother Jed tag team preaching, Iranian students chanting “death to puppet Shah”, te last on campus Halloween Ball was on the Plaza in ‘77, the New Riders of the Purple Sage opened with Panama Red.
Gainesville is still a great town, but back then it rocked; indoor concerts at the Great Southern Music Hall or free ones at Lake Alice near my dorm at Graham Area.
Lived in the Student Ghetto at one point on SW 2nd I think, down the street from a holy roller church and What-a-Burger, in a boarding house we called the Mars Hotel, lol.
Pizza at Leonardo’s, lunch at Mama Lowe’s near the police station, across from the feed store