It’s been over six days since I began wandering through Meghalaya. From the capital city Shillong, where I landed and stayed for five days, it has been nothing short of an adventure. I’ve been whizzing around the misty mountains and wet grasslands of this magnificent place. The countryside is rich with greenery, dotted with countless waterfalls—the true gems of this region.

It has rained continuously for the past three days, often late into the night. Today, I was lucky enough to step out and wander. We first drove to Umkhakoi Lake, a massive water reservoir surrounded by serene landscapes.

My staple diet here has been boiled rice with fish curry, dal, potato sabzi, and green chutney. This is what I usually get for dinner, though at times I enjoy chicken curry, which is equally appetizing. Interestingly, the only cigarette available here is Gold Flake.

I even tried my hand at fishing near the lake but soon realized I lacked the patience for it. Many locals were fishing with ease—unsurprising, since fish is a key part of their daily meals. With its abundant rainfall, Meghalaya is an excellent region for rice and paddy cultivation. Everywhere you look, you find lush, wet fields. Most locals here work in agriculture, while others run small shops, roadside eateries, and shacks.

Life here feels slower. This part of the world is very quiet, and I love the fresh breeze and solitude. It has been a blessing for my writing—I’ve managed to do a lot, with my creative energy flowing endlessly. I’ve even made over a hundred videos using ChatGPT and Growk, a new application I’ve been experimenting with to boost productivity.

The terrain is rocky and mountainous, but not too difficult to navigate. Soon, we will be driving up the hills through the rain to Cherrapunji, a place famous for receiving the heaviest rainfall. From what I see, the rains will continue for a couple of weeks at least—but that’s exactly what I came here to enjoy.

Shillong

Nights here are still and quiet, with only the sky above and the occasional sheep dogs lingering near my shack. I often sit outside near the shed, staring at the night sky, lost in thought.

The Khasi people are gentle and kind. The women love to dance and sing folk songs, their local dialect carrying a sweet, melodic flavor.

I feel at peace as I patiently wait for my dinner to be served—a moment of stillness in the rain-soaked hills of Meghalaya.