My First Observations.

I am ferried from school to Mrs. V's and from Mrs. V's to school daily in a white Toyota Corolla. Parkash, the driver, is a mild gentleman with the smallest hint of a smile on his face. He tells me, in his broken English, of his other jobs on merchant ships.

Mrs. V, or Appa (Big Sister), as she is also known by staff members, has gathered around herself a team of loyal and reliable helpers. It must have taken time...and character.While she is not here, I hear such words as "strict" and "discipline" to describe her. The students habitually wear looks of terror on their faces while describing her.

The White Toyota Corolla.

While in India in after graduating from college in 1980, I discovered the art of gregariousness. It continued while I was in Sudan. After duties at school, I would sit and chat with the locals. Wanasa it was called in Arabic in Sudan.

My time in M.Amin Noorani Street began to feel like confinement. I wanted to be out: meeting the locals. It is wonderfully quiet at Mrs. V's - Appa's - but there is a time for such quiet and haven. While she is not here, I just have the company of a cook, a chowkidar, and a driver.

I even try, unsuccessfully, to teach Babul, the cook, some English.

I am meeting teachers at the school - a science, a maths teacher and a strange English teacher, a Mr. Tayyab. I am amazed at how little the school needs in terms of staff to run.