Memories of Christmas in Delhi & Imphal
Some of the wonderful Manipuri people we met in Delhi during our first shoot in India.
It was December 2006 when Anna and I celebrated Advent Christmas with some of the kindest folk we ever met. We were staying at a hostel run by the Zimiks, a Manipuri family, who after just a few days of knowing us, invited us to the Christmas service at their church and their annual Advent Christmas Party.
The party was a jolly good time and they went out of their way to welcome us.
An incredibly unflattering photo of Anna and I as we partake in one of the games at the Christmas party that involved eating a very large slice of cake in one bite.
It was during this experience that we came to understand the extraordinary kindness found in Manipuri people.
The Zimiks were tremendously helpful in assisting us to get the permission required to visit Manipur. Foreigners need a special permit and the process can take months. Thanks to them we got there and had the chance to experience the Christmas spirit all over again in Imphal, Manipur, where it is alive and kicking.
I remember one night during a power outage, carolers passed below our guesthouse. Their voices were beautiful and because of the power outage you could barely make them out in the dark and they were the only sound you could hear.
It was one of those magical moments you could never explain.
Luckily we don’t have to because Anna grabbed the camera likety-split and caught the scene right before they vanished into the darkness.
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