All too soon, it was time to head back for home shores. This was (and I’m embarrassed to admit) the longest holiday I’ve ever had in 16 years of working. That it was possible for a life to change in 15 days, was not in the realm of possibilities for me. I experienced and learnt this much about another part of this lovely land – thanks to my travel companions – friendly, open, joyous souls, all!

We had two lovely meals at the home of Lorina Richmond and Vishal Sabharwal, a young couple known to R and A, who fostered a dog for them. That one on top: Tyra.

 

I had my festive mulled apple cider. Twice.

We tried to go to the Don Bosco museum but it was shut. “Unfinished business at Meghalaya”, to repeat Arvind’s words.

Off to Guwahati we went. The place we stayed in had some people on staff from Sohra. So, we told them how much we loved their homeland and made them happy. We ate some amazing paranthas, thanks to the locals who manned the kitchen.

We went straight to Anita’s house and thanks to Reena’s thinking of it in advance, raided the Bora house for company and dinner. We ate some truly amazing food! And had some lovely, sweet conversations.

On getting back, turns out the guest house owner came over to set a barbecue and backyard fireplace for us. We told him that we’d already eaten, and he looked equally cheerful, and left 🙂 So sweet, this ‘oh well’ attitude.

The next morning, Madiha and I left for Bangalore. Ath was to follow a couple of days behind, leaving Reena and Arvind to be off on their travels to Arunachal, on their bicycles… for the next 10 days. They were joining 2 others and were on the quest to find flat roads to ride on.

After a quiet new year’s night, delayed flights, spicy meals, 6 hours at the airport and landing past midnight at Bangalore, during which time, thanks to a 1km  long queue, i didnt get an airport cab from 12 midnight to 3am, the misadventure finally caught up with me. Thank goodness for Cafe Noir at the airport! The end to my entirely adventurous trip might have been nothing to write home about, but everything about the trip stands out in sharp relief in the recesses of the mind.

And I remain, with Meghalaya on my mind.