2- trip to NEFA

2. NEFA

It is Republic day tomorrow. The country is gearing up for the celebrations with an apparent anxiety and insecurity. To my mind the problem is diffusely immense with uncertainties of a kind, which have penetrated factions of societies globally. Only rational/ practical way I keep peace within myself is recognizing my limitations at every level personally, socially and politically. Defeatist as it may seem, I have had an inner strife and have fought intellectually and emotionally most of my adult days and today feel as I do now -- which my mother will like very much…

13.01.2002
Narayan had been instructed not to report at 6 or 7 or 8 AM but 10 as we are both not Sunrise birds and it didn’t hurt to sip Assamese cuppa chai one after another interspersed with muscle-stretches and mind-stretches thrown alongside.
We were driven from Guwahati to the state of Meghalaya ie. The abode of the Clouds although for us they stayed in check and we had 2 clear Sunny days. Passing through small hilly villages we stopped at tiny fruit shops with overhanging Pineapples and Oranges which were ‘heavenly’ in taste as Veena described, very fresh, sweet and smooth as the best whiskey. Shillong was like Simla in Himachal also called ‘Scotland of the East’. It had been the British capital and very much still appeared so. We stayed at Pinewood lodge which is a Hotel from the Raj era surrounded by dense trees and a lake with a tiny restaurant serving piping hot tea, snacks and music to set your feet and soul tapping to old nostalgic beats from the Beetles. Evening was cold but the Big Fire in the room was more than wonderful with a drink and an early meal.
The local ‘Khasis’ seemed prettier and petiter. Women were ‘manning’ the markets, it being a matriarchal society as we were told.
Next morning we drove via Shillong Peak to Cherapunjee, the highest rainfalls place in the world. We were reminded of the Grand Canyon with multitude Falls on rainbow rocks and a deepish Gorge on the other side overlooking a vast view of Bangladesh merging into the clouds and the horizon far away. Scanty tinroof shops and a grazing goat here and there but otherwise nature at its best!
There was a preserved cave with formations of stalagmites and stalactites with a guide and his harmless dog.
Evening before the big Fireplace again, although Pinewood hall had a concert going with the local ministers’ son as the Pianist who was visiting home from the US, a medley of Christian Hymns and modern
American jazz to the elite of Shillong.
(to be contd.)

Veena