Aizwal, Mizoram

Getting here has not been easy. The luggage was a much bigger problem than I thought it would be. Lost luggage in India required me to sign my name 15 times and fill out four forms that had to be stamped in four different areas of the airport and passed by 6 armed guards that had to initial each form....point being: missed flight to Aizwal.
It was all good in the end. Kit went on ahead and I stayed back in Delhi. I went for lunch with Kapool and his son and talked politics, economics and social life.... we were then followed from the restaurant by 3 young men that took a fancy to me. I being oblivious ( and not speaking Hindi) was clueles until Kapool pulled the car to a halt int he middle of a busy delhi street ( which is quite amazing really... no one stays in their own lane, ever! Kapool and son proceeded to yell at these men while I locked the doors and tried not to make eye contact with the crowd. For just one moment I was a little scared. They returned to the car and apologized..."They are nonsense men, speaking nonsense and they needed to be told it will not be tolerated. You are our guest and we will not put up with it." Sometimes not speaking Hindi is a very goode thing becaue i quite sure some nasty words were exchanged.

I left on my flight for Aizwal the following morning. It was foggy and we ended up circling Calcutta for and hour before landing. I arrived in the airport in the midst of chaos and concern. my connector fight was leaving in five minutes! So, I budded my way through security and the private room for ladies' security check ( very interesting) to race my way and find out that my flight was 7 0r 8 in line to leave... i had a little bit of a wait.

The wait was worth it because I entered this little tribal state and it is beautiful. Except the whole city is built into a cliff and it is bigger than Saskatoon. Hair pin curves the whole way back from the airport: 30km drive took us an hour.

Our first day was very successful. English is very difficult... they only speak and write mizo. But the people are very friendly and are very excited that we are here.
I was attempting to upload pictures but this computer is not cooperating..and the keys keep skipping... so maybe next post there will be pics

xot