My Unwilling; yet Unforgettable Journey!
Veni, vidi, vici ( I came, I saw, I conquered !)
-Julies Caesar
The unwilling journey of mine to Sylhet, Shillong and Guhawati began on 25th March, 2009. My exams were knocking on the door and I was in no way ready to go for such a long trip from Dhaka by bus. After hours of heated discussion with my parents, I was finally convinced that this was a religious trip and held a significant importance on my life’s success. And, so began the journey which I will remember vividly for years to come. With a terrified mindset and mental pressure due to impending exams – I was not so sure if I would be able to appear in my exams which would start the next day of our return from Shillong.
The journey to Kamakhya Temple began when 30 Nepalese expatriates got together at the premises of the Embassy of Nepal to set out on this pilgrimage. First to arrive was Mr.Achyut Aryal and his family (as is his punctual habit!). Last to arrive was Mr.Rajiv Pradhan as he had to attend a meeting. Everyone gathered at Mr.Ramesh Khanal’s house and put all the luggages in the bus. Everyone seemed excited and the chief of the committee Mr.Guna Nidhi Paudyal was all set to coordinate things. As everyone got into a relatively small Coaster bus, we left the Embassy premises at 3 pm. The departure wasn’t as easy as we expected it to be as we had to push the bus to start its engine. As soon as we reached near American Embassy in Baridhara (which is about 200 meters only!), the uncles opened up the cans, drinking something that most Nepalese enjoy – alcohol. The aunties were busy with their regular talks of how cheap the sari was in Gaushia and how colorful its design is. The children too were busy with their regular school talks. After about 3 hours of drive, we took a tea-break at a restaurant at around 6:00 Pm. After 10-15 minutes of rest, we get in the coaster and get ready for the 3 hours drive to Sylhet.But as they say “A journey is never as easy as it seems”, the CIRDAP Coaster broke down at around 8:15 Pm with huge amount of smoke coming out from the engine. After about half an hour of panicking and cooling the engine, the coaster finally got running and we were on our way to Sylhet. At around 10:00 Pm, we reached Supreme Hotel which was supposed to be our host for the night. As soon as we reach there, everyone got his/her own room. After refreshments, we had a quick dinner and left for bed after a day full of exertion.
The next day on March 26, everyone got ready for the trip to Tamabil Border at around 6:30 Am. We took our breakfast as soon as possible and hop in the bus for an hour and half journey to Tamabil Border. At around 8:00 Am the CIRDAP bus stopped again leaving us stranded on the street. Children brought water from the surrounding village ponds and helped the old driver in cooling the bus. As the engine of the bus getting cooled down, most of us found some time for green scenery around us and the fresh air to breathe that lacks miserably in Dhaka city. At around 10:00 Am we arrive at Tamabil Border and wait for the immigration and customs formalities to be completed. Bangladeshi side was completed promptly and officials were very cordial to us.
On the Indian side of the immigration point at Dawaki border, the immigration officials arrived an hour late. After two hours of waiting and working (by the members of Nepali community themselves), we finally got a positive nod to go ahead from the officers and we left the Dawaki border point at exactly 12:00 Pm. After an amazing drive through the naturally magnificent hills of Meghalaya, we reach our hotel Lake View Inn at around 3 Pm. After refreshments, we had our quick and tasty lunch. After the lunch, we set out for sight seeing. First in our list was the Hill Top visit from where you could see whole Shillong city lying in front of your eyes-it’s a real treat for the eyes for such an amazing natural beauty within your grasp. Then after about 30 minutes drive from the Hill Top, we desperately wanted to visit the famous police bazaar in the centre of Shillong. The police bazaar was an amazing experience and reflected a bit of Nepalese culture in streets with everyone enjoying it. At around 8:30 Pm we took a tasty dinner at Hotel and children went to bed. Before going to bed, there was a small problem as Nabina aunty wasn’t feeling very well. But, all ended well as she took some medicine.
On the morning of 27th March, we got ready very early and left Shillong for Guwahati at 5:30 am. At 8:30 am we arrived at our main destination after a 3 hours’ journey –Kamakhya Temple. We held prayers and meditation for an hour and half. From the Kamakhya Temple we went to the Umananda temple which was located in the middle of the Bramhaputra River in an island. We crossed the river using a motor boat. All children enjoyed to be on the top of the boat just to feast their eyes with the beautiful sceneries around them as well as to get fresh air. After finishing the worshipping at the Umananda Temple followed by meditation, we left for a pure vegetarian restaurant for lunch. At the Maruti vegetarian restaurant, as expected most were hungry and started gobbling the food as soon as it arrived. The bus ride on the way to Shillong was amazing especially because all children showcased their talent by singing Nepal’s national anthem. This was a proud moment for all parents and this clearly reflected on their faces.
Prashanti, Parimal, Aashna, Aarambh, Leena, Aruna, Abhinav, Anil, Sarina and Shushant – all showcased their talents in various ways. Out of the above Prashanti, Aruna and Leena were outstanding, singing some amazing songs in mind-blowing voices. Overall it was an all children’ moment. At around 7:00 Pm we arrived at Lake View Inn. After short refreshment, some left for the Police Bazaar and shopping for souvenirs. All children stayed back to play some kinds of cards games and enjoy the day. At around 8:00 Pm everyone enjoyed the lovely dinner consisting of Tandoori Chicken which was a personal favorite for most people. The dinner was then treated with something that everyone loved- Ice Cream! After the dinner, music was started and with that the feet of Aruna, Sarina and Abhinav. They started grooving to the music played by the hotel DJ there. And then began a short session which the parents enjoyed the most- dancing. The ladies group was led by Mrs. Bina and Mrs.Sushmita.Soon, uncles started joining in and one commendable performance was by Mr. Kalyan Pandey. His amusing dance moves kept everyone on high heels throughout. The children kept their dancing constant and most seemed to be enjoying it. Most parents including Mrs.Nabina and Mrs. Sushmita seemed proud of their children and were busy taking snaps and videos. The dance session was enjoyed by all especially because they had such a hectic day to day schedule. For them to get some time without tension was simply great!
On the day of 28th March, everyone woke up at around 5:00 Am and got ready for the long journey back home in Dhaka. Most uncles go for a walk around just to enjoy the scenery and kiss this beautiful city a good bye. At 7:00 Am everyone had the American Breakfast bade this lovely host – Hotel Lake View Inn- farewell for the Dawaki Border. We arrived at the border at 10:15 am after an amazing ride through the mountains of Shillong and enjoyable music played in the bus. At 12:00 Pm we left the Dawaki border for Bangladesh and back to saying “Amar Bangladesh”. We had our sumptuous lunch served at the Hotel Supreme in Sylhet at 2:00 pm which was again very tasty!
After about 6 hours of microbus ride, which included the enjoyment of Hindi films, we finally arrived at the Embassy premises. After a sweet farewell by hugging and embracing each other with tears on their eyes, everyone led to his/her own way to their homes. It was heartening to see that with three days we had become a family-a bond developed so close that they did not want to separate so easily. It was a touching moment for me to see such fantastic scene at that time. I don’t know if this was the most perfect tour I ever had in my life. But I know something that this was the tour which helped me in making new friends, learn more about new places and enjoy a few days from the hectic schedules in Dhaka.
Something that everyone said at the end was: “Kamakhya Mata Ki; Jaya!!” ( Hail to Mother Kamakhya !)
March 30, 2009
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Leave a Comment
