Shanti Thokchom's Life Experiences
- Part 40 -
Road trip to NAMA convention 2009 at Maryland

By Shanti Thokchom *

Coming back to my story again, Oja Mani was all smiles as he was being greeted by so many Manipuri folks which surprised him so much. He said he never knew so many were here. He did his speech on a general topic and I must say it made him feel so important and appreciated.

The host families did a great job of organizing though the venue was a little smaller than the one in Chicago but who cares, we were here to meet and greet and catch up once a year & most importantly was to eat our traditional Manipuri dishes which we had been waiting all for a year !!

My mouth waters at the very thought of those foods... that were being prepared painstakingly by all of them in Maryland. I was very impressed with Monica Ingudam's hubby Saji (one of Manipur's Keralite son-in-law) who worked very hard to make the NAMA a success. Hats off to you all there ! !

The food-spread had wonderful choices like the Tharoi (snail ), Ironba (special manipuri dish.. with potato, fermented fish & bamboo shoot etc), Singju( hot salads), Nga Thongba (fish dishes).

We just wasted no time but set out to eat. I sat with my group of our chatty members like the Waheng Leikai Rani of Cincinnati (a nickname for a very precious lady who is the soul of any Manipuri party (Chak Chanaba), that tall & young Laishram model from Palace compound and many others. She told me that she used to be teased of her height by others as "Mirang Kotpi" (spider web cleaner) . Such merciless teasings ..... but look now, she has turned that very same thing into a positive attitude & with her hard work & good looks, she is in an enviable place whom all can't be there!! Way to go, gal!! We are proud of you....Keep the Manipuri banner/flag flying high there in NYC !!

The ever smily couple Linthoi & her hubby had an after party at their place & I heard everyone had a blast. We could not attend as we had a different itinerary. We had to head back with Oja Naba to his place as we had already given our Wada (promise ) so we had to keep it. I too wished I had gone there at Linthoi's to take part in the Halla-gulla (fun and banter party)!! I missed out on that.. Maybe another time will come again!!

At uncle Naba's place we all sat down to eat...my goodness...!! All we have to do everywhere when we visit our folks is eat....eat & eat more...but no complaints...cos Aunty Indrani cooks so good !! Their daughter Lata came to spend some time with us oldies ...ha..ha..ha....!! She was very free & frank to talk to...I like that.....

Uncle Naba put on some of the earlier NAMA tapes for us to watch. It was very beautiful !! This couple has a very neat and tidy home with a little garden in their back yard corner. They grew Maroi Napaakpi ( a kind of herb -chives ), Tung Ning Kok ( Lizard Tail ), Mayangton ( basil variety ) & many others.

I can't make out how they managed to get so much in little space !! Kudos to them for making good use of the space. Both have very good green thumbs !! Everything they touch , grows where as for ordinary folks like us, nothing grows..let alone buy potting soils for those plants !!

Our conversations went beyond midnight hours we did not even realised if it was not for aunty Indrani's insistence that we should all take rest for the night. Thank god, she did that, we almost forgot we had to return to Tulsa the next day. Oja Mani & Uncle Naba had the best time as they talked and talked non-stop and laughing like old school boys.....!!

The next morning, aunty prepared good yummy breakfast for all of us. It was time to say goodbye to them after that. We felt so sad but we would meet again soon!! They gave me potted plants of the herbs to take home. We then left at about 9.30am onto I- 70 West.

We had taken a different route on our onward trip as we passed through the southern parts of Missouri, Ilinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia etc., via I-44 East, then to I-55 North for some distance & then onto I-70 East for some more distance till the border of West Virginia & then different state highways as indicated on the google road maps. It was a great trip & experience of a lifetime watching all those beautiful scenic places on the way !!

I drove through the Pennsylvannia greenery. It was breath taking view to see the Amish farmlands ......!! I had to stop in Pittsburg at an autobody shop for an oil change....which was due cos of the long distances I already covered ! We had a good short break. The people helped us out with the road directions to get back on the highway. I must say its real helpful !!

Oja Mani got busy with recording again with the video cam.. God only knows he turned it on the record button or not...He asked me & I told him "Nyet" (no) talk about the blind leading the blind about all these hi-tech gadgets.....!! I was too busy driving so I said that he could do what he thought best. It was all his to do...!!

In between I heard him call up his wife again & tellling her all the wonderful time he had there in Maryland & other places we had visited.

To be Continued.......