North-East India: A hidden gem amidst nature.
Back in 2021, I just graduated from University.
The globe was at last re-emerging from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The shackles of lockdowns were unfastened, and the gates of travel swung open once more. Visa applications found acceptance, granting passage to wanderers and dreamers. Across borders they ventured, unburdened by the specter of the pandemic that had long held them captive. The world, once cloaked in fear, now beckoned with renewed promise and possibility.
The Covid-19 pandemic reshaped our lives in two ways. Firstly, it underscored the impermanence of existence. Even for the healthiest among us, reaching our nineties is not a guaranteed certainty. With this newfound awareness, we must seize the present moment and pursue our aspirations without hesitation. Secondly, the work-from-home culture, once an anomaly, became the new norm even in a country like India. The boundaries between home and office blurred, and virtual collaboration bridged physical distances. As we adapt to this paradigm shift, we find ourselves redefining work, life, and balance in unprecedented ways.
Indeed, it marked a moment to pursue personal fulfillment alongside my professional journey. Time to peel back the layers and discover my inner self. Time to be free of the boundaries of the office cubicle and become a digital nomad.
When we envision a digital nomad’s lifestyle, we often picture someone with a laptop tucked into their backpack, working while wandering along the beaches of Thailand or Bali, exploring the natural forests of South America, or trekking in the foothills of the Himalayas. They might be spotted strolling the streets of Australia or enjoying a croissant in a Parisian bakery.
And so the choice for the places were too obvious.
Just like everyone else.
Chiang Mai.
Canggu.
Sydney.
Pipa.
and the list goes so on.
No doubt they are the best experience for a digital nomad, as being the remote working hotspot, they offer everything you can think of. Now if you have just made your mind to be a wanderer, want to have the best experience and budget is not a constraint to you, you can check out the top four places you can visit as a digital nomad in 2024.
But as someone who just graduated from university and started the first job, i could not afford to move to these places just yet. So what could be a cheaper alternative?
If you are not a citizen of a first world country just like me, of course this question have crossed your mind. At least for once.
I needed a place that does not make a hole in my pocket, not as crowded as these popular places as the whole point of living a nomadic lifestyle is to stay away from corporate crowds and discover different beauties of the mother nature; and at the same time having a vibrant work experience.
So I googled a lot.
Watched a lot of YouTube videos.
Read many travel blogs.
Each one of them depicting a wonderful nomadic remote working life, yet none of them helped me to get a cheap place to start my journey with.
But then something clicked my mind.
Why I was searching for a cheaper alternative all over the world, when such a place exist in my own country. No I am not talking about Goa, the beach city of India. Of course it will give you the vibe of Chiang Mai or Bali, but that place was flooded with people. Too crowded, not to my liking.
So then what could be the one perfect for me?
Yes.
North East India.
Seven Sisters.
A place of serene beauty, diverse culture and amazing people.
Meghalaya, Abode of Clouds.
Mizoram, Land of Blue Mountains.
Nagaland, Land of Festivals.
………..
And Lastly, Assam. Gateway to North East. My own State.
So I took my backpack and started my journey. As a digital nomad. First to Shillong.
Then to Aizawl.
Then to Gangtok.
Finally to Arunachal as the last stop of my journey.
Culminating my 10 months of nomadic adventure.
The above pictures says everything about the places even before I do, right?
Would not you like to sit in that balcony and get immersed into your work while cold breeze of the mountain embraces you !!
Picture yourself nestled in cozy rooms, where the night’s embrace costs a mere 1500–2000 rupees (approximately 20 dollars for our American friends). And if you are looking for more than a mere fleeting night, renting a flat wont cost more than 50 dollars a month.
Now amidst mist-kissed mountains, cafés emerge like hidden gems. Their wooden tables bear witness to countless musings, laptops perched alongside steaming cups of chai or freshly brewed coffee. The view? A canvas of rolling hills, where clouds play hide-and-seek with the sun.
And ah, the culinary escapades! Fear not the pangs of hunger, for even the heftiest meals won’t dent your wallet beyond 5 dollars. And if you go for mouth watering local delicacies from a street vendor, it will serve you in less than 2 dollars.
In Mawsynram, rain becomes your companion — a gentle tapping on the windowpane, a lullaby for contemplation. Here, monsoons are not mere weather; they’re poetry.
In Aizawl the streets pulse with life, yet drivers — like monks in meditation — refrain from honking. It’s a symphony of restraint, where horns rest, and patience blooms. Amidst the hills, the city breathes, and you — perched in your chair — become part of this quiet dance.
Kisama Village awakens during Hornbill Festival. The air smells of smoked meat and camaraderie. Amidst bonfires and laughter, you become a thread in the fabric of tradition.
And every other place is just like a poem of its own.
Back when I visited these places, there were a few limitations. At remote places, Wi Fi was a rare luxury and mobile network was playing coy, hindering your ability to be 100% productive along the way. But now, as time unfurls its relentless march, these places are well equipped with all the needed amenities and eager to embrace you promising connectivity and comfort.
So, my fellow nomad. If you are looking for a thrifty and bustling place to be your next nomadic destination, then look no further. Book your flight to Guwahati and from there start your dream journey into the wilderness of North East India. It awaits, ready to ink your story in hues of wonder.
Stay in touch.