July 28th, 2021
Growing up, I was never accustomed to change. Today more than ever, I’ve realized the importance of the journey rather than the destination. The photos I’ve taken within the last month alone show a journey. My journey. Exemplifying just how much change can happen within a month, and how I’ve learned to adapt to my circumstances while going with the flow. These images alone signify important and meaningful places in my life where I’ve learned to love, let go and let god. They all tie back to my core values and beliefs about life and the journey of life.
What I’m looking forward to most during my vacation in Bangladesh is getting to know more about myself, my roots in this country, and most importantly my father’s story, all in an attempt to not only leave an impact, but share these stories—my story—through a compilation of images. This has definitely been an eye-opening experience that is helping me grow as a person and I’m even more excited to see the pictures that have not yet been taken in my parent’s homeland and the memories that are yet to be made here in Bangladesh. My homeland.
August 17th, 2021
Wow. What an emotional roller coaster this summer has taken me on. I’ve not only followed the footsteps of my father, but have created my own story without a doubt. These pictures signify life. Ever-evolving life. My life. Exemplifying not just temporary changes, but the realization that change is and always will be permanent whether we like it or not. This summer in Bangladesh has helped me realize my losses, gains, and all worldly things are not really mine, and are not really here to stay. I realized life will always go on, we will always be changing destinations, and will always be embarking on new journeys. The three images show paths. Three different paths. All leading towards something bigger than the path itself. I’ve realized once again that happiness isn’t in the destination but the journey.
If you look closely, you will see not one but many paths and journeys within each picture. The message I wanted to capture with these pictures was a story that starts with my favourite places and paths in Toronto, to plane rides with ever-changing nature and breathtaking sceneries, to the most priceless picture in my entire photo series, my dad’s neighbourhood. My father had lived in that very house in which I was standing this very month. He stayed there while he finished high school and even started working for his first job while living here. This is where my dad grew up and it gives me goosebumps knowing I’m in this exact place, even though he’s no longer here. The reason I took this picture from inside the house he stayed in was because the path you can see between the two bars aligns perfectly with the gate of that building. I loved staying here for a few nights and spending time with my aunt who raised my dad and helped him immigrate to Canada.
Oh how the journey has flipped after 20 years. From Canada to Bangladesh, and for my dad, Bangladesh to Canada. The plane ride and process is the same, but the journeys and impacts are life-changing. Who knows where my family and future generations will end up, and what their photo series might look like in another 20 years time…
