Day 76 : Wednesday May 26th. RTU

In the morning, I tried to get some work done on the website, as it was building up faster than I could deal with it yet I wanted to get information written down so that I would not forget what I saw here. In addition to these notes, I have been writing my 'Impressions of RTU' which I may include on the website at a later date.

But in spending time writing, I had not been seeing whatever was to be seen at RTU. This was partly because I felt a little awkward - as I didn't think it was appropriate to expect or to ask for anything special. I was a visitor, after all, and I didn't want to be in the way. Besides this, my host, Brother Jim, was always somewhere else, too. I'm not complaining - Bro Jim knows I don't need molly coddling, but being a solo visitor at RTU is not the same as working there.

I had decided to head for Batlagundu to say goodbye to Vijayaraj, but I went the back road and I used my cycle. I saw a sign for 'Miriam Village' which I knew was an RTU development, and headed in that direction. At one point, the road seemed to disappear, as a tree had either fallen or been cut, and some material was spread across the road.

As I approached the gate of Miriam Village, I had a good feeling about the place. It was spacious, and clean.

The first building I saw was a Balwadi - a beautiful little nursery school.

Next, I saw trees line the road into the centre of Miriam Village. Everything was beautifully looked after. Every detail. There was no rubbish, no smoke and no noise, except the sound of children playing.

Then I was met by a member of staff and welcomed into the village. We passed this building, which is a prayer area. Since all the children in the village are Hindus, Hindu prayers are recited each night.

I was an instant hit with the children. Everyone wanted to ring my bell, pull the brakes, fiddle with anything they could get their hands on, and get on any picture that was taken. They were great.

A large area of land was reserved just for playing, with swings, roundabouts and climbing frames and lots of space. Children were everywhere, just having fun, and it was really wonderful to see this clean and happy place.

Inside the houses, which were identical, there was a large central area, a large private area (sleeping), a separate bathroom, a separate toilet, a store, a separate kitchen. They were lovely homes.

Outside each house, there was a verandah and a sitting area. All the houses were well spaced, and it was a very attractive village.

I was invited to stay for prayers, and it was yet another special treat. The children entered the prayer hall in their family groups - with the mother. Impeccably behaved, but without any instruction, they quietly and respectfully took their places whilst a member of staff lit incense sticks and placed flowers around statues. It was clear that 'families' took it in turn to lead the prayers, and one family sat in a different position and faced the rest of the congregation.

Just before leaving, I was able to take a quick photograph of some of the mothers. These were at the very heart of the children's village, and the first person to turn to for the children in the families. It was very obvious that they were all doing a wonderful job.

After leaving the Miriam Village, I passed the tree which had fallen on the road on my way in. Inside the tree I discovered children and goats. The children were playing and cutting wood for firewood too, and probably minding the goats at the same time.

I proceeded to Batlagundu, and saw my friend VJ for the last time. On the way back it was getting dark, and one of the villages I passed through was celebrating some kind of festival. It was like the Blackpool Illuminations, or Christmas in Manchester, except the festival was very much Hindu.

That evening, Brother James announced that he would not be able to give me a lift in the Jeep to Bodi in the morning, as he would be taking children there and the bus would be full. It would appear I would not get the chance to see Bodi after all.