The TV Room

We've only watched television once, with a gang of the younger girls. The sisters flipped back and forth between the Twenty/20 cricket match between India and Australia, what looked to be a childrens' program featuring real actors, one of whom was an Ali Baba-type character, and a really wacky mystery/comedy/drama/horror soap, with Ghostbuster special effects and Abbott and Costello-like cut-ups who played mental institution patients. Nick says there was also an evil ghost who seemed more like a witch. Much more time has been spent in the TV room playing Chinese checkers, chess, reading the daily Hindu Times and doing cross-stitching with the girls. That's Sarah's big project.

(Sister Anna--the head nun's--keen interest in cricket, reminded me of 4th grade at my elementary school, St. Sylvester's, in Pittsburgh. Our teacher, Sister Tarsicia, let us to watch the baseball World Series during class time in 1971, when the Pirates played the Baltimore Orioles. I clearly remember watching Pirates first baseman Bob Robertson take his swings on the black and white television perched about six feet off the ground, atop a bi-level, rolling TV cart. If I remember correctly, Sister Tarsicia said she knew Pirates All-Star Roberto Clemente personally, probably through his humanitarian work.)

Below, Smitha plays referee for Nick and Pete. Smitha appeared to be the "office manager" for the orphanage, running all over the building answering the phone (located in a booth on the ground floor of the sprawling three-story building), tracking down sisters and girls, receiving packages at the front door, etc.