Exploring the unexplored, near my hometown in Assam
The next story-worthy trip might just be down the road.
When I first started travelling, I always used to search for “offbeat locations” or “lesser-known places.” Over the years, I evolved with more interests and, with my improved research skills, I began looking out for community-led experiences, regional culture, experiential activities, environmental initiatives, etc, that can make me connect with a place in a deeper way. Also, if you ask me to choose between cities and the countryside, I’ll always choose the latter.
Taking all these points into consideration, I should have been an expert in showing you around my home in Assam. But I’ve realised that I’m far from it!
The region has everything I look for during my travels - beautiful countryside landscapes, rich culture and heritage, local crafts, community-led experiences, and to top it all - flavourful food!
And yet, a lot of the areas around remain unexplored.
Overlooking the familiar!
There’s a saying in Hindi that goes, “Ghar ki murgi dal barabar.”
The literal translation (with the help of my AI acquaintance Chatty) is: “The chicken at home is no better than lentils.”
But its actual meaning is that we tend to undervalue what we already have or what is familiar to us.
Basically, it reflects the idea that people often fail to appreciate the worth of things close to them, because they're too used to them - much like how someone might overlook a home-cooked chicken meal and treat it as ordinary as everyday lentils (dal).
This holds true for travel too. While we remain in constant wanderlust fantasizing about waking up to dreamy countryside scenes straight out of a Ghibli movie, we often forget and miss out on familiar landscapes that might exist just a drive away!
How many times have we said, “It’s nearby, we can go anytime,” but that "anytime" quietly becomes never!
Rediscovering the familiar!
This summer, I had plans to travel all across the North-east, but I ended up spending more time in my hometown than planned. It was comfortable to sit at home, have home-cooked food, not worry much about chores, no stress about logistics, and have ample time to introspect and plan my next move in life.
So I decided to explore my neighbourhoods.
In Assam, new roads, flyovers, and highways are coming up in full swing. Taking advantage of these, I decided to drive through those roads, along with my parents (who love travelling themselves), and went on short weekend day trips in and around my town.
We visited Majuli, the river island known for its deep cultural roots - from Neo-Vaishnavism to a rare art of mask-making. We met a few families of the Mising tribe, who are riverine communities residing in homes called Saang-ghor which have a very smart traditional architecture style of a raised house supported by pillars to remain protected in vulnerable flood-prone areas. With the help of a local guide who grew up on the island, we ventured off the main roads and into quieter corners. He helped us drive through the interior village roads, giving us an actual glimpse of life in Majuli. We passed by farmers at work and birds and cattle frolicking about in vast paddy fields.
Another day, Joydeep who runs "The Gypsy Chiring" travel blog took us around his hometown of Bhadoi Panchali, and we explored the Dehing Patkai National Park, Tipam Deosali Hills, and the Namphake village of Assam’s Tai Phake community.
While Majuli is quite popular among tourists (especially culture and history buffs), the latter region attracts mostly birding enthusiasts and can still be categorised as an “offbeat” route for an Assam trip.
One day, I also had a short trip to Titabor, where I briefly met farmer and conservationist Mithu Gogoi, who is actively working on conserving Kopou (foxtail orchid), the state flower of Assam.
(Stories of all the above trips coming up!)
Exploring home, appreciating local food, and discovering the neighbourhood is Travel too.
Travel doesn’t always mean booking flights or crossing borders. It’s not only about packing suitcases and hopping time zones (although I never mind that). 🥲
Sometimes, it can be as simple as a drive to a nearby place and hearing a story from someone who has lived a lifetime just a town or village away.
Yes, I’m still dreaming about Japan, Vietnam, Switzerland…but this summer, I rediscovered my home! I realized that travel is also about pausing, noticing, and appreciating the familiar lanes and the neighbourhood around us.
And maybe someday I’ll be able to host you here in Assam.
Can you imagine driving with your windows open in an Indian city? Well this month, I did that, while driving through green fields, tea gardens, rivers and village roads - some famous, some lesser-known, but all beautiful with that “lush greenery” everyone keeps talking about when they mention Assam.
So, maybe this weekend, instead of planning the next big getaway, take a small step toward somewhere near. Pause, and take that road trip to the neighbouring town, village, or area that you haven’t visited yet!
Let the familiar surprise you.
“Ghar ki murgi dal barabar”, but isn’t a well-cooked dal (or any simple home-cooked food) sometimes the most comforting dish we could ask for?
I am Namrata Gohain, a designer-turned-storyteller, writer and content producer. I document stories on responsible travel, crafts, cuisine, slow living and my creative journey.
I often think about this, and I have yet to experience Kochi like my travel friends have done! Hailing from Kochi, I’ve always wanted to do those, but given any chance, I’d run off to other places to travel! An irony! Wonderful to see you’ve finally taken time and space to discover your localhood and are having your best time with it! <3 Feels like a reminder for me, Namrata!
Your travelogues are getting better and makes me jealous of all the good food you have. Obviously I can't have it while sitting at home but not fair😂