Of course, not that Aerosmith’s song.. But the song did cross my mind when I realised that I WAS and still AM living on the edge, and my life could just end at the blink of an eye.
I had an eventful experience this Wednesday. My work requires collection of samples from different parts of Mizoram. This time, my trip was planned to Champhai. Brother 1, brother 4 and brother 5 were supportive enough to come with me (I have five brothers for those who might be wondering).
Here’s a link of the main places we have to pass through to get to Champhai. (Link)
THE TRIP
Crossed Keifang, and heard that there was a Landslide prone area ahead. We moved on.
Reached Tuivawl at 12 pm, there was a long line of vehicles ahead (Picture 1). Mostly buses and Pickup trucks. Some of them were stranded since 10 am that morning. A landslide had occured the previous day, and a Transport Truck got stuck in the mud. Two JCB's were working to clear the land, and to move the truck out.
At 1:30 pm, part of the land was cleared for vehicles to pass(Picture 2). Truck was still there. Vehicles infront started to move, crossing the landslide area one by one. Just when our turn came, the two JCB's took their many timeth trial to move the Truck out. Finally, it was moved.
Brother 1 drove our way to the danger zone. Guess what? Our Car Got Stuck! Right at the Landslide point! (Picture 3). It wouldn't move front, or back. Brother 4 and 5 got out to push it. I thought I’ll give a hand, but they told me to stay in, so that my feet won't get dirty. I felt loved :-)
But then, people from the other side started shouting that the land was going to slip again, and to move out quick. We all panicked. Somehow we managed to move back, and just then, the land slipped, right in front of us. Seriously scary!!!
Brothers asked me to get out, and to stand as far as possible (Picture 4). Again, I felt loved :-). Two men from behind ran towards us, and gave my brothers a hand, and they pushed the car far back away from the danger zone.
The JCB started to clear the land again (Picture 5), for about an hour until it ran out of diesel!
Bigger vehicles behind us took risk and started to move ahead, and they got stuck one by one. Some lucky ones passed through. That's the first vehicle which got stuck after us (Picture 6).
That’s the third or fourth vehicle which got stuck. As these pictures were taken, there were some debris and stones falling every five minutes! But these guys risked their lives to help others, strangers that they don’t even know.
I wanted to go back home, because it was still raining, and the place was still very dangerous. Even if we could go across (with the help of these guys), we were to come back after 2 days, which was still risky. But I did not want to tell my brothers, because this trip was for me. Boy! Was I glad when brother 5 asked me if I wanted to go back home! I quickly nodded.
My (muddy) shoes (Picture 8). Hehe..
I didn’t want the trip to go waste. So after a tea break at Keifang, we asked around and found a place where I could collect few samples.
Yep.. that’s me collecting my samples (Picture 9).
Dinner at Seling. Smoked Pork again.. yummmm.. hehe
Brother 5 drove the car after dinner. At around 8:30 pm, we crossed Tuirial, and guess what? A huge boulder came tumbling down right infront of us! Followed by stones. We panicked a lot! Brother 1 asked brother 5 to back up the car, and for a moment, he forgot how to back it up!
Luckily, a JCB which was on its way home came along. It cleared the road for us again (Picture 10).You know what I was thinking? “God saved us, and has sent us guardian angels in the form of men and JCB! God has answered Mom’s prayers”
Since I brought my camera, I wanted to take every picture to remember this incident. And I so wanted to take the picture of this huge stone. While we drove past it, I tried to take a shot, just as the flash came, all three brothers shouted “Is this the time???” Haha.. I laughed to myself for being so silly.. But later we all laughed talking about me and my camera. Lolzz..
Home sweet home at 9:45 pm
I am glad for this trip
I am glad to realise the love my brothers have for me
I got to see the beautiful night view of Aizawl from Zemabawk (always one of my favourite views)
I got to eat a delicious breakfast and dinner (I’ve always thought that food at Mizo Hotels is tastier then home made ones..hehe)
I am glad to see our mizo guys in action again
I am glad that I could collect my samples
I am glad to be alive
God has saved our lives TWICE!