Staying with a Mizo Family and Heading to Thenzawl

A View from my Homestay

After about an hour’s drive from the airport, we reached Memphis’s sister’s home. Her name is Rachel. At Rachel’s place, we had tea and fried rice as snacks. The house consisted of one large room, with a portion used as the kitchen. Three children were playing around the house.

The veranda served many purposes. It was used as a play area for the children, for drying clothes, storing used utensils, and even keeping pigs. The children were mischievous but well-trained to maintain cleanliness. Memphis had brought gifts for everyone in the family. While Memphis and I were talking, Rachel started preparing a chutney for dinner. It was made from long green leaves that taste bitter and tangy, and they are very fond of it.

Cute children

One interesting thing about the house was how every wall space was used for storing household items. Pig rearing is a common practice among Mizo families, and almost every house has a pig shelter. Pork is an important part of the Mizo diet.

Memphis had already thought of a suitable place for my stay. By then, she knew my preferences, so she chose a place slightly away from Aizawl, surrounded by natural beauty. Memphis, her brother-in-law, and I said goodbye to Rachel and her family and started towards my accommodation.

By the time we reached, it was quite dark. Memphis spoke to the lady of the house in Mizo, and I was warmly welcomed. One of the staff members guided me to my room, which was a little distance away. Since it was night, I could only see the room itself. It was a spacious room with a bed in one corner and a large sitting area with an attached bathroom. After settling me comfortably, Memphis said goodbye and promised to call the next day. I was exhausted, and within half an hour I fell asleep. It was cold, but very pleasant.

Around six in the morning, bright sunlight streaming through the windows disturbed my sleep and gently woke me up. To my pleasant surprise, the large windows filled the room with freshness. I stepped out onto the balcony and was completely awestruck. As far as my eyes could see, there were layers of lush green mountains and valleys. The tiredness of the previous night vanished instantly. I felt completely spellbound by the beauty in front of me.

I made tea using my travel cooker, which I always carry with me, and enjoyed the most refreshing cup of tea while gazing at the mountains. There was no hurry to go anywhere. Just being there felt enough.

Around eight in the morning, Memphis called and told me that I would be joining her friends and family for a picnic at a place called Thenzawl. I had already read about this place, so I was excited to be part of the plan.

Thenzawl is about a three-hour drive from where I was staying. It is also known as the weavers’ town, as weaving is a household industry there. The drive to Thenzawl was once again beyond words. What struck me most was the forest diversity. Hardly one or two types of trees were repeated. Every tree and bush seemed different, with varied shapes, sizes, and shades of green. This botanical richness is what makes Mizoram’s forests so unique. Travelling through those roads truly felt like passing through untouched forests, with very few people seen along the way.