Christmas Spirit in Bangalore

We arrived in Bangalore on the 22nd of December. Apart from the wonderfull view of the Mysore Palace nothing in this sunny country really created a christmassy feeling. Especially since most of the people we met where either Hindus or Muslims. In Bangalore, however, everything was going to change. Mr Thomas picked us up from the trainstation and took us to his home, where we meet his Christian family. In his flat the preparations for the 25th where in full progress. The crib and its holy inhabitants were unwrapped and put out on the porch, a christmas tree was decorated with lights and stars and the big paperstar above the door was shedding a nice gleam. Around six o clock a bunch of kids suddenly showed up. Not exactly unepected, because Mr Thomas wife and his sons helped transform them into Santa Clauses and one Joseph plus a beautiful little Mary with a baby Jesus. After everyone was dressed up and was equipped with shells or drums, it was time for the carol singing. Some girls stood together in a group and sung a variety of christmas songs. They were accompanied by drums and bells. The music was aprecciated by all the other kids in the room who joined in the show by dancing around and stomping in the middle of the room. The act was concluded by the blessing which was given by two Christian brothers from a nearby seminar. All in all it was a wonderfully noisy little ceremony which was repeated in every flat that opened its doors to the merry carol singers. I guess you can imagine the good spirits we were in when we set off to have a tasty meal at Mr Thomas restaurant.