29 Jan 2008, Tirunelveli
In Tirunelveli, most of the men stayed at a hostel school just down the road from the Sarada Devi college where Amma and the women (and some Swamis and Brahmacharis stayed).  We had arrived early in the morning (around 3am) and we had the next day off until the evening program.

There were beautiful white swans or very big white ducks that were wandering around the grounds quacking all day long.

Though it was a school day, the principal had arranged for the students to take field trips to local places of interest.  I was amazed that they would go to such efforts to accommodate us.  The younger students went to some reserve or park where there is a waterfall.  The older students went to the harbor where they were given a tour of one of the ships.

The next day after the program, classes had resumed, but we hadn’t yet vacated our rooms.  So the students had to double or triple up in the existing classrooms on the ground floor while we showered and packed in the rooms above.  We were staying in the building where the lower classes were being held (kindergarden and I think 1st and 2nd grades).   It was so cute to hear the children going through their studies.  They were all dressed in uniforms.  I watched while one young boy – perhaps about 6 years old – led his class in a call in response repetition of something I didn’t quite understand even though it was an english medium school.  He was holding the notebook up very close to his face – his nose was almost touching it.  It brought back memories of my early school days.

I made an effort to stop in two of the crowed classrooms to thank the teacher and all the children for their hospitality.  Almost instantaneously, they rose to their feet.  I was embarrassed but humbled by their innocence and respect.  I hope it wasn’t because I was wearing white (I’m not deserving), but that I was an elder (greying beard).

When we were finally boarding the buses to leave, the principal called us over to the other building where they wanted to take our photo.   We all posed with the principal and other school officials while the children looked on.   Then it was time to board.  As I walked to the bus, there was this long line of about 30 small small children – maybe about 4 years old.  I reached out my hand to shake a few and say goodbye and before you know it, all these hands were reaching out – some shy some smiling.  I shook them all, patted a few on their heads, and headed off to the bus.

– Sri Pati