After an exciting moment or two in Imms office with a computer guy I find that I can now access RUHSA’s broadband via wi-fi on my laptop. Enter 3 ‘Engineers’ who have been working on our school building. Not entirely sure what kind of engineers, since they seem to have responsibility for septic tank and for sinking a well and for putting in the electrics, but hey, who cares as long as they get the job finished. They offer to go to the school site with us and with Sekar, so off Andy and I set on our stately bicycles, wobbling through the crowded streets of K V K amongst the people and goats and chickens, attempting to avoid potholes, and terrifying buses as they blast past us. Safely at the school coconut grove we at last get to see behind the grills into ‘our’ new and lovely building. It seems to have been finished to a high standard- CMC wouldn’t allow anything less I think. There are lots of lockable cupboards for play equipment, windows well-placed for light and ventilation, lots of electric sockets, not just one but TWO toilets- one for adults, one for children, a kitchen area with a sink – no running water of course- and a tiled floor. Into the floor of the open area between the children’s room and the adult resource centre, they have sunk a smallish rectangle which is already filled with sand – our first play area!
We exclaim in delight at everything and learn how to make a rough attempt at ‘beautiful school’ in Tamil. They tell us that all electrical fittings are ready at CMC in Vellore but will not be fitted until there is a caretaker on site. That would be asking for thieving they seem to say, as the school doesn’t have any very near neighbours. We will have to think about who might be that caretaker and what the arrangements might be. Perhaps s/he might want to have use of the coconut grove in return for looking after the building.
Then we go behind the building to marvel at the septic tank. They tell us that the CMC geologist has suggested one spot for digging a well, but the local diviner has suggested a spot at the exact opposite end of the site. It seems that usually CMC and RUHSA have relied fairly heavily on the local man’s knowledge. Ideally what they want is for the trained geologist and the diviner to agree! We will also have to think about and discuss with RUHSA who is going to fund the sinking of the bore well.......More of this in a few days after Pongal festivities which commence tomorrow, doubtless with tuneless wailing and drumming at 4a.m
We get a text from Pam saying we are invited to Bishopston Trading Company, to the guesthouse, by Selvi, who as we know is a wonderful cook. We don’t need to be asked twice so with a jaunty ‘Nandri, arugu parla’ (thank you- beautiful school) off we wobble. As we approach the enormous site for BTC I am amazed at just how beautifully the site has been landscaped in the three years since I last saw it. There are flowering shrubs all along the front and as you cycle up the approach road you can see how much has been done to green the grounds. Around the guesthouse in particular there is now a well-developed garden with hibiscus and roses. Selvi welcomes us like long lost family and then proceeds to treat us like visiting royalty. Sit there, you rest, let me serve you with fresh lime juice, etc etc. The quick meal she had promised must take her in the end at least two hours to prepare and it is quite delicious, just as we have remembered. She offers chappati with or without oil, which tells me she has remembered from Carolyn’s visit that we westerners try to avoid too much fat if possible. No wonder all the comments in the visitors’ book are so very positive, especially with regard to Selvi.
Andy and I cycle home to RUHSA mid-afternoon, whilst the others take a rickshaw taxi, since Brian’s cycle is not yet quite sorted. Back in Imms office it appears that multiple photos and forms are not sufficient for the local police- another form is to be completed now. Security arrangements for foreigners visiting the area have recently been tightened again since the Mumbai atrocity. If having everyone fill in more forms does constitute effective anti-terrorism measures? I catch poor Arabella as she is leaving the office to beg help with blogging and she is patient and helpful. First blog safely posted!
No sooner am I back at the flat than it is time to set off in auto-rickshaws for supper with Selvi. Goodness she will wear herself out trying to look after us. Another great meal, and this time with Adam who is staying at the guesthouse this week. He is working for an organisation which is concerned with fair-trade in fashion. He is wearing a lungi in very stylish manner. I smile as I think of Jenny Byrne and how she always talked of tying giant nappies. Still, cool gear for chaps in the heat of India.
I receive a text from Rosie telling me she has accessed the blog and enjoyed it, within a half an hour of me creating it. When I think of visiting with Rosie as a child in 1991 and how we couldn’t even make a phone call home from the village!
This school of ours is going to need a name, as Dr John- who is much concerned with getting the inauguration planned- has pointed out. Any ideas out there? I fancy something child-friendly rather than anything with Bishopston or any other English name in it. Do let me know what you think. I like elephants but Andy thinks that might be seen as a reference to the ‘big size’ English folk behind the project!
A word to any of you reading this who have spent time here at RUHSA: Annandan and Ambaragan are still summoned with the same inimitable Imms voice, which again always makes me think of Jenny. Yesterday Imms told us that Ambaragan’s name means ‘love’ – the amba bit, and ‘handsome’, the aragan bit. Isn’t that a treat? Can you imagine how embarrassed the poor man became as he heard this explained to us?
Big train just roared through the middle of the flat. Time to put out the milk bottles and the cat and go to bed. No, things haven’t changed that much Jenny, I’m joking....
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