When I looked closer…

I was not too proud of where I came from i.e. Assam until recently after a ten day trip with some amazing women. That trip entirely transformed me into a person beaming with pride of the cultural richness and tribal legacy that envelops Assam with such diversity.

Though I graduated from one of the most prestigious and world renowned colleges of Assam 15 years ago, I really wanted to get out of that place as soon as I could. I just couldn’t ignore the under-developed status-quo of places, the mindless corruption, the impoverished state of some tribes, raging unemployment and the ever-increasing gap between the rich and poor. The rich were getting richer, the poor poorer.

I convinced my parents of studying in Delhi and didn’t look back up until now. My parents visited me for a few years and then decided to move to Delhi for good. So we ended up with a house of our own in Dwarka where we mingled with the Assamese diaspora who have since relocated and settled here, during Bihu festivals. As the elders reminisced their golden days wolfing down the traditional delicacies, I would generally hang out with people of my age and exchange tips and other trivialities.

That’s it! These meetings were the only connect with a world that I left long back, never to return.

But fate had something else in store for me when my boss appointed me as the team leader for the Women Special Tours trip to Upper- Assam.

I lead a team of travel designers in Women Special Tours – an agency that custom crafts tours for only women.

So imagine my state of utter confusion, almost in the verge of tears. I couldn’t refuse as this was my first assignment and I had been constantly egging my boss that I am ready to take charge out of office. Ha! The jokes’ on me now!

Well two people who were ecstatic about this were you know who, ma and pa literally going berserk with happiness. I was thunderstruck and the realization jolted me upright of what a big sacrifice they have given just to be with me. How they long for their motherland just moved me to tears and they being my pillars of strength hugged me tight and told me to look at Assam with tender loving care.

More than keeping my promise, this tryst with destiny made me fall in love with my birthplace Margherita and its nearby locations that shared space with the Patkai ranges of Arunachal Pradesh.

We landed in Dibrugarh, the only airport accessible to Upper Assam regions. My women travelers had more in depth knowledge about the tea industry here than me. The tour of some tea gardens contouring the hillocks of Dirok, Namdang and Namtok section, touching the foothills of Patkai Ranges was a treat for our eyes. I realized Margherita is nature's own paradise with the splendour of the mystic Patkai ranges on one side and the river Burhi-Dehing flowing right across with a carpet of lush green tea gardens forming a natural landscape.

But the ultimate experience that brought some hope in me spring to life was when we visted the Pangsau Pass in the Patkai Ranges. Here, a forthnightly market is held at the border where people from both sides (many tribes) take active part. Interestingly, the age old barter system is still prevalent among the natives in this market. It was such a fascinating experience to see that amidst all the currency dependant masses lived some indigenous tribes who considered money almost as dirt. We also did a hush-hush (not in the itinerary) visit to the mystic 'Lake of No Return'.

Not to mention the cuisines- undeniably tempting and simply delicious, we were deliriously happy gobbling up the exotic fare laid out for us. These people were inconspicuous to all the corruption, politics and unrest going on and leading lives of sheer simplicity, humility, kindness and happiness. They were literally embracing the essence of Humanity.

I came back with an unquenched thirst to know my roots better and get my parents back to their homeland they were secretly pining for. And I am now directing every ladies tour to Assam with an ecstatic and exciting approach.

 About 'Women Special Tours':  Would you like to go for a ‘Ladies Only Trip’ which is full of fun, excitement, games and unforgettable experiences? Then you are looking for us. If you have any query or you want us to share your travel stories at our blog, contact us at ToursWST@gmail.com or +91 – 9810555106.

About the Article Editor: Kimberly Jane Thomas is a Blogger, Writer, Communications Trainer, avid music buff and loves literary fiction; but more than all these, she loves to listen to the animated conversations of her kids. She considers life a blessing in the guise of challenges. She wouldn’t have it any other way. You might meet her someday during one of our tours.

Please note: Above story is a fiction work of the author.  However; we are committed to creating similar kind of emotions, experiences, and stories for our women travelers. We hope one day you will also be traveling with 'Women Special Tours.'