From Medical Emergency to Road Trip Horror: My Silchar-Shillong Journey
The winter morning dawned bright and clear. Warm sunlight cut through the chilly air as we loaded bags into the car. Two of us prepared for an unexpected road trip from Silchar to Shillong. I was home for winter holidays when a medical situation forced this sudden journey.
Little did I know this trip would challenge my love for road adventures. It made me seriously question whether I would ever travel this route again.
The Scenic Start Turns Bumpy
Our journey began from Silchar, my hometown in Assam's Cachar district. November brings pleasant warmth to this region, but my body struggled with intense pain. Lupus Nephritis, an autoimmune disease affecting my kidneys, had reached a critical point.
The decision seemed logical: visit Shillong, consult a rheumatologist, and revisit my favorite city. The initial stretch from Silchar to Kalain offered beautiful scenery mixed with challenging moments. Hundreds of trucks shared the road, heading to various northeast destinations.
Rough patches near Kalain tested our patience but passed within an hour. Traffic moved lazily but remained manageable. Everything changed once we approached the state border.
Border Beauty and Mounting Problems
The drive to Ratacherra, marking the Assam-Meghalaya border, flowed smoothly. Lush forests bordered one side while sweeping views of Bangladesh unfolded on the other. The scene demanded photographs, though I regret not capturing more.
Next came Sonapur in Jaintia Hills, where stunning views completely distracted me from photography. The Lukha River flowed with blue-green-turquoise waters colored by limestone deposits. I missed photographing this famous landmark on NH-6 as well.
Before I could lament these missed opportunities, we passed Khlieriat, Ladrymbai, 8-Mile, and Jowai. The journey seemed promising until we reached Smit.
The Traffic Nightmare Begins
Smit lies merely 45 minutes from Shillong under normal conditions. Our experience proved anything but normal. A kilometers-long traffic jam brought vehicles to a complete standstill.
Initially, I remained calm, humming songs and shifting positions. After thirty minutes, my medical condition announced itself urgently. Lupus Nephritis brings kidney complications that demand regular bathroom access.
Forty-five minutes passed with no movement. Darkness fell as drivers turned off engines and waited silently. My desperation grew with each passing minute.
Just as I contemplated extreme measures, a party truck arrived with blaring music and bright lights. The noise shattered the night's silence and somehow suppressed my urgent need. We remained stuck for two full hours before traffic mysteriously cleared.
The Revealing Cause and Final Struggles
What caused this massive jam? Simple roadside revelry. People had parked near liquor shops, enjoying drinks while completely blocking traffic. This realization added frustration to our already difficult situation.
By now, we entered our eighth hour of travel. Laitkor in Upper Shillong brought another snail-paced traffic crawl. We inched through Happy Valley only to encounter another hour-long jam.
Finally reaching my aunt's Barik residence marked eleven total hours of travel. I managed a bathroom break at a Laitkor petrol pump, providing minimal relief.
Reflections on Travel with Chronic Illness
This experience proved particularly horrifying for someone with Lupus Nephritis. The condition sometimes includes fibromyalgia, making prolonged sitting extremely painful.
A six to seven hour trip with proper breaks remains manageable while considering kidney health. Eleven to twelve hours without adequate facilities becomes unimaginable and physically damaging.
Meghalaya's beauty deserves better infrastructure support. Travelers, especially those with medical conditions, need reliable journey times and accessible facilities. This trip taught me harsh lessons about road travel limitations during health challenges.
