Dilbert for the people

Aizal, Mizoram

Last week I visited Aizal, Mizoram. It was an incredible experience to see the majestic beauty of this place. Extraordinary to think that more than 30% of Mizoram is covered in Bamboo and wooded jungle. It is also renowned in some circles as being the Switzerland of India with it's high mountain peaks and steep terrain.

The people were lovely, hospitality pervasive, and food; delectable. It was quite an extraordinary site to see come Sunday morning. Men in their finest suits, shirts and trousers. Women in an array of colorful Mizo skirts. With all shops closed everyone shuttled quickly to their places of worship. Mizoram being 87%+ Christian was quite the experience come holy-day. The shear numbers of kindred souls harmoniously walking their way to church was a sight to behold. Something special about the unity in this place Aizal. Our time was short, so I regret not having the opportunity to experience more of the Mizo culture, its traditional dancing and much more.

The people in general quite Western in their style and appearance, yet oriental and tribal compared to any other parts of India I've visited. As I walked thought the Bazaar part of me felt like I was in a dream some how recollecting what it *might be like* if I were to visit Northern China.

No beggars; this was something else that struck me as unique to this place. Anyone who's visited India will tell you...

During one excursion we set off from Aizal city for a drive to the foot of Mt Reiek. Curvy roads, wispy waterfalls, streaming rivers and blooming flowers were all part of the scenic view as we made our way up the mountain. Around some corners you could see an array of school children hiking their way to school, some dressed in uniform and others in western wear. I was a bit surprised to see two kids on this trip wearing MXPX t-shirts at various parts of the journey. Not that they knew anything about the band, but clearly somehow these western influences landing up in this heavenly mountain society.

Though I have searched around for the official story, I have found varying info on the height for Mt. Reiek. I have seen things ranging from 4800ft to 6000ft above sea level. Either way, our trip to the top was a thing of beauty. It has been some time since making such a steep hike up in the mountains. It was a rejuvenating experience to gasp in the fresh mountain air. Here are a few pics from the trip.