This is an old post, probally written a month back. I was in Kohima these last few days covering an event. Just got back. Need to write something so will chit chat sometime when it's done. Meanwhile here eet ess.
This last month(May-June 2008, actually) has been a whirlwind of a travel but it has been work and whole lot of fun too. As you probally know, I am treading the freelancer path from May onwards. There is a heady feeling about working at my space and time but yeah discipline is important, and i can hardly say that I am a disciplined person. Assignments and projects are coming in but having no access to mails this month, I have a backlog of work which is probally too late now to wrap up. Andthe heat's maddening these last 3 days here and I havent been feeling too well.
Anyways, this film shoot I had gone to took us all over Northeast.First thru Nagaland, Manipur to Moreh right next to the Burma border.By far the highlight of the whole trip. Moreh is like mini-India, ppl from all over. The Tamils are supposed to be the original settlers and traders (they came from Burma when non Burmese people were asked to evict in 1963-64) though this claim is debated and the Kukis and Nagas also lay an allegiance to the land. Supposedly, some of the mostdangerous underground outfits inhabit the hills around Moreh and theKuki-Naga clashes happen periodically.
But the most colorful images are those of the Namphalong market on theBurmese side. Man, the stuff is real cheap (though i could hardly shop, what with running about with a still camera and other equipmentsand radio recorders etc..and the heat is of a killer oven kind really)and you get everything from crockery to electronic items, to tiger beer at darn cheap rates to watermelons, etc. We did pass over to Tamu and Nassif (the director and a dear friend) and Kazu (the host of the travel docu and my housemate) posed alternately as a driver and a press photographer and accompanied the Chambers of Commerce guys tothe other side as part of a aid relief programe for Nargis cyclone victims. I strolled about Tamu town (had to leave cell fones and IDcards at entry gate) wearing a big circular cane hat with imprinted flowers, sipping mineral water, looking the proverbial tourist. We had 2 friends from Manipur who accompanied us so they helped on the communication part. There are many Burmese Nepalis in Tamu and was warm chatting with them. The town has a pretty face, with clean tiledroads and cute wooden houses. and the women are pretty charming too;)
Agartala-Bangladesh was allright though I just couldnt like Agartala much. And the trip to Bodoland was good fun too. Gelephu in Bhutan has a very provincial look to it but it is a very disciplined lil town andthe people are really hospitable. The proprietor of the restaurant we lunched at (we hogged on beef momos, pork chilly, rice etc) gifted each of the film unit a miniature bottle of alcohol with a Made in Bhutan stamp as a souvenir. Muchos gracias, i say;p
And Kohima was an exprience, as always. A visit to the warrior village of Khonoma on a rainy day made the trip complete. Just that my brew got spoilt! More about that laters.
Till than, adios and warmth!
Sukaphismo-sushimo;)
