I had visited hill stations before. Places like Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Munnar, Yelagiri Hills and Kullu Manali. Like most tourists, I had usually returned with photographs, pleasant memories, and admiration for the scenery. My recent family vacation to Shillong, along with visits to Mawsynram and Cherrapunji in May 2026, began no differently.
But somewhere between the fog-covered roads, the steep slopes, the silence of cold nights, and watching ordinary people move through difficult...