I have traveled to Meghalaya for almost a month and met foreigners from many countries particularly Australia and New Zealand. Mostly traveling solo and have found absolutely no issues with safety in any area in Meghalaya, whether it is the dense jungles or it is the city life of Shillong. Life in Meghalaya is green, quiet and slow but beautiful and calming to the soul, the mind and the human existence.
We landed in Guwahati, Assam which is just 3-4 hours away from capital of Meghalaya, Shillong. There is no airport in Shillong, there is a helipad in Shillong and it isn't used much according to the locals. The distance is approximately 120 kms. Shillong is a very old city and not developed at the rate India has. Even Indians feel that this part of the country is of the times when black and white movies were made. The main area in Shillong is police bazaar and is absolutely nerve racking for the human mind. Its noisy and cacophonous throughout the day and even late at night. Its crowded by workers and people who have to go for manual labour. It is reminiscent of the old times during the british raj. The outskirts are exciting, quiet and very green. Shillong can disappoint you and make you smile at the sometime. The cars and the trucks are polluting Shillong and there is no one to check and control the situation. The government is sleeping and the people are aware of the damage being caused by such errant cars and wild fires by the locals. Almost the whole population eats betelleaves, especially women, who start at an very early age and continue to consume betel leaves despite the damage caused to their relatives.
Cheerapunji is 65kms away from Shillong and takes anything between 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours to reach. This is the place that will move your soul. Cherapunji is my new home, its a god sent place amid nothing but trees, leaves and rains.
This is a place where I haven't found any pollution, whether is is dust pollution, noise pollution or mind pollution. I have become pure, not for long, but I shall carry beautiful memories of this place no matter what. Its absolutely safe to travel here. Even women can travel safely to these places and feel comfortable. There is no threat or evil factor anywhere around cherapunji. The weather, the people, the simple lives and the attitude will win your heart and make you contemplate a lifestyle change which includes shifting to the wild forever. There are no snakes, leopards, tigers or troublemakers of any kind in cherapunjee.
There is no doubt any human being , whether a celebrity, a woman , a foreigner or a solo traveler of any country will feel comfortable and calm throughout the journey. The locals are better human beings that many one will see anywhere around India. I have complete trust and confidence is any person travelling to Meghalaya will come back safe and with life long memories.
