sriram
2015-03-21

The older I get, the more I understand the importance and value of "safe travels." Thus, I am so relieved, so to speak, that your wonderful road trip has ended without any hassles at all.

I understand all too well your line "I don't know if I will come this way again." Every place I go, that's what I feel. To quite an extent that sentiment is about life itself--given that we have only life to live and everything that we can do, say, write, travel, eat, whatever, we can't ever be sure whether we will come this way again.
And even if we get a chance to go again, there is that wonderful old idea that you can't cross the same river twice. As you note in the post, yes, you were there before. But that was a different you, and the NE was also different then.

For a few days you the memories of the Mizos and the Khasis and the Burmese checkpoint will haunt you ... and then they will slowly settle into the deep folds of your memory, where you have stored a lot of treasures. There is simply no price tag for those memories, which are all you will take with you, as I will mine.

Am glad you are back in Bengaluru. Thanks for including us along via your posts.

Vincy Joseph
2015-03-21

Ramesh, you are back home? that was pretty quick.

This is one post in which i envied you the most. Standing at a place where you were some two and a half decades back, in complete serenity and with a grateful heart. At the end of it all, peace, happiness and gratitude is what human heart needs. you are a blessed soul, truly.

And what a journey it has been for me! you completely bowled me over plunging into this travel adventure - enjoyed every single post, so much of education about North East, and a large itemisation added to my things-to-do-before-i-die list :-). I am able to appreciate a part of our country which was literally non-existent for me all these days. for that i stand in gratitude.

Now answer two questions for me.
1. how will i explain to J, that you reached home already 'cos yesterday i updated him about Tripura Sundari.
2. What will i look forward to tomorrow?

P.S
Happy you are back home. Rest Well. I hope you get pampered with love and care.

usha
2015-03-21

Ramesh, If i were there to wave you off before you started on your trip, I would have wished you a safe trip, good health , and nature's kindness all the way.
But I wish I were in Bangalore today, to cheer you as you drove in to your apartment complex, and of course to thank God, that you are home safe. .What a trip it has been for us, taking us with you through parts which I probably will have seen only through your lucid writing , and for that we shall be ever thankful.
Now you are entitled to be 'horizontal' for the next couple of days, not wanting to see the road or the wheel for the next couple of days,
Ramesh , three cheers to you .

indigoite
2015-03-22

@Sriram - Indeed so; can we be sure of anything. I normally don't feel that way, but this time, I really felt it - maybe I might not come this side again. Probably because 25 years passed from the previous visit. Anyway, who knows. And yes the memories are precious and they will always reside. They may fade and yellow, but will be there all the same. Thanks so much for your following and commenting. I'll miss all those creative handles :)

@Vincy - I cheated a bit. Dragged the posts a little to time the ending without a break. There's no point in describing a return journey, especially since this travelogue has already gone on a bit. Came back same way as I went - five days of driving.

I am touched that this interested you in the NE. Maybe you might want to go there some day. Hassle J :):) Thanks for following and commenting on every single post. Your comments have been so encouraging - I'll miss that !

@Usha - Hey, thanks so much. Very touched. I have to bow in thanks.

Ravi Rajagopalan
2015-03-22

I feel sad that your trip is over - over the last weeks I was witness to a friend in the process of finding something of himself in a faraway place. In the process I lived vicariously with you and journeyed with you. In the end we have to return to where we came from and be who we are. All my trips are business trips and the holidays are family holidays, full of memories that will stay for a long time. But the memories we forge when we journey alone are different. They are tied to thought, and time and place, and they have helped unlock a few more doors to try and glimpse who you really are. These are priceless. Enjoy and cherish them.

Anne in Salem in Cincinnati
2015-03-22

What a beautiful post to end a beautiful journey. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us. I have learned a great deal about an area I did not even know existed. Your writing brought so much to life - history, culture, family life, food. Your pictures and descriptions were integral to the enjoyment of your posts. As has been written before, you could make this a book.

Very glad you made it home safely. Enjoy your rest and your coffee. Take care.

indigoite
2015-03-22

@Ravi - Hey thanks Ravi. Your wonderful comments could have made a blog by itself. You really should take up writing seriously. Thanks for travelling with me and thanks for calling up and checking on me. Yes, the memories of trips like this stay for a long time.

@Anne - You are very kind as always. Thanks a million for following and commenting on every post. Of all the readers, it must have been the strangest for you and yet you not only read the posts but also even followed up on it. I am honoured and touched.

Ravi Rajagopalan
2015-03-22

I like Sriram's comments - I like all of them and had I not been bereft of time I would enjoy jousting with him. But what he says is true - you never cross the same river twice. Geographically speaking, or whether in life or relationships, there are no second acts. As Peggy Lee sang so soulfully all those years ago, this is all there is my love.

Anne in Salem
2015-03-22

To Ravi and all the other commenters who taught me so much, thank you for enhancing this experience for me. Perhaps we shall meet some day . . .

Ravi Rajagopalan
2015-03-22

Perhaps its a tribute to Ramesh that this blog attracts Anne, Vincy, Sriram, Asha etc all of whom have ended up enriching each other through this blog.

Asha!
2015-03-23

Hats off to you Ramesh for this beautiful reflecting post with a twisty end.

I read this post on Saturday on my phone but did'nt want to type a short comment and so waited till i could re- read the post and comment . I was confused initially when i read the title Bangalore and the post started off with Gauhati.and zapped in the end when you had written that you write from home. Kudos to you, for single handedly driving so far on tough routes. It sure must have been taxing physically but amazed at your will power and mental toughness!!

Thank you for showing around so many exotic destinations and enriching with so many stories. This series of posts reminds me of a favorite quote on travelling by Ibn batuta...travelling surely turns one speechless and into a storyteller......As a virtual traveller, I was amazed at the richness of NE and the stories therein ......loved all those stories and little anecdotes that you shared.... left me enriched.

I had a great journey with my fellow commenters too.

And ,,,,hope to see you often here...if not the road trlps.....share your anecdotes from your past travels, i am sure those would make interesting stories too..that is a request:)

Thanks again.

Asha
2015-03-23

@ Ravi - Indeed, it is a tribute to the scholar for his high quality edutaining posts it is a privilege to read his posts. and thanks to you too for such valuable comments. As you say, I learnt from each one of you. Thank you.

Sandhya Sriram
2015-03-23

What a Journey Ramesh, and what a befitting summary. You can touch so many chords and create such beautiful music. enjoyed every bit of this journey with you. thank you for this Ramesh.

Vinod
2015-03-23

Thoroughly enjoyed reading your experiences, and observations. Thanks for taking us along on your trip and talking to us everyday enthusiastically. It was good fun for us too. Will miss this blog.

Deepa
2015-03-23

I had never imagined that virtual travel could be so delightful and memorable. A lot has to be said about your virtual transportational abilities and then some :D ! I personally enjoy travelling, my most favorite aspect of my job. This trip was my getaway during the crazy times and was it eventful.

I will keep a bag packed and ready for the next trip. Many more such trips to you and us!

Shachi
2015-03-23

Such a poignant post!

A bit sad that your trip has come to an end.....but following along with you and this amazing group of readers has been truly an enriching experience. Thank you!

You deserve a good massage after all that driving....phew!

indigoite
2015-03-24

@Sandhya - Aww - Typical kind Sandhya comment. Thank You

@Vinod - Oh thanks. Amazed that you red the posts even though zillion customers are visiting and harassing you !

@ Deepa - Travel books were always a favourite and in the days of live blogs, following a traveller can be fun. I do it all the time. One thing for sure - next time, wherever I go, I am sure to pass by a town you have lived in :):)

@Shachi - It was fun travelling with you. Thanks for coming along.

indigoite
2015-03-24

@Asha - Awww. Coming from a travel writer , that is high honour. I had become a jaded traveller sometime ago and it was your post on Dhanushkodi (remember) that triggered the urge to travel again. I have to thank you for that.

Suja
2015-03-24

As usual I am a bit late to the table..

What a poignant post to bring this wonderful journey back to its end! I was very touched by what you felt on the shores of Brahmaputra. How many times I too have stood looking at mountains, oceans and rivers, ancient sacred sites and felt exactly the same...that moment when you stand apart from this transitory life and feel the stillness of time..

It has been good journeying with you, learning of new places, of history, of geography, of people. You write beautifully and when it is something from the heart, like your reflections in this post, you take us not only on this trip to the NE but also on your own personal life journey as companions across the ether..thank you for that.

indigoite
2015-03-25

@Suja - I am honoured and touched by your kindness. Thank you very much for following every post and commenting.

Handle-lover, but no love-handle
2015-03-27

Ok, you are home.
And you have had a few days of rest. Well deserved, sure.

But ...

Now it is time to get going. Start blogging about business stuff. Don't just sit there and watch cricket!
;)

indigoite
2015-03-28

@Love handler - YESSIR ; As you order sir :):):)