Upon entering Assam, it soon becomes clear that this is a beautiful state, with lots of green and lovely villages. The people are also really friendly here. During a break, children from the local school invite us into their school which we accept with great pleasure. We have a nice chat with the director and with a teacher. It’s a boarding school connected to the Don Bosco College. Especially for us, they sing a few songs, with a matching dance.

Don Bosco Bording School

We stop for a quick bite in the village of Ulupara. While we are eating, it doesn’t take long before the whole village is standing here. A young man named Shamir invites us to his home, where we are being welcomed by his whole family. We decide to spend two nights there and the next day we visit many family members and friends of his, and we are given an Indian bike so we don’t have to use our heavy bike.

On a Smaller Bike for a Change

In the evening it can get quite chilly here so everybody here makes a campfire in their garden and the whole family sits around it. On the second evening they mention that the Muslims are striking the next day in the whole state and that they would block the road. We stay another night and the next day we go to a nice park consisting of different islands. Upon returning home Grandmother Shamir wants to see Kitty in traditional clothing.

Kitty in Traditional Clothing

We also visit his old school, the pupils and teachers are enthusiastic and they ask for a few photos with us(Why each teacher is carrying his camera to school, we do not know).

The Local School

In the evening we have one last party with Shamir’s closest friends and the next day we say goodbye to everyone. But not to Shamir, we will see him again next week as we are invited to his friend's house. Avi lives in Guwahati, which happens to be the place where we have a meeting with the Myanmar group. So we can stay there, where Shamir will come to visit us.

The Village of Ulupara

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