GAINING MOMENTUM
First, can we just take a quick sec to acknowledge the fact that I HAVE A WEBSITE!!!? Srsly... Been procrastinating way too long on this one. But I'm hopeful that it'll be well worth the wait. Pretty excited!
Exactly one year ago from now, I was (probably at this point struggling to find a comfy sleeping position) on my very first international flight to New Delhi, India! Crazy to think how much time has gone by. Even crazier wondering why it's taken me so long to share my photos w/ the internet world. I suppose the quake really shook me up a bit. I don't think I'll ever be able to describe the feels upon my return home... & the months following.
The fact that I dove into such a unique trip (considering it was my first time out of the U.S.) would have been a culture shock in itself. But the emotional aftermath — a bittersweet whirlwind of fear, excitement, guilt, inspiration, sadness, gratitude, & insomnia — turned my whole world upside down. I finally managed to escape my safe, suburban bubble in Chicago to discover two much poorer countries that are far more rich w/ beauty & tranquility. I explored, I connected, & I admired; only to watch such a sudden tragedy unfold before my very eyes. The monuments I had photographed — shaken, turned to rubble. The friends I had made, their families up in the mountains — devastated, scared for their lives. & don't even get me started on the what-if's & we-were-right-there's... It was a lot to take in.
I was totally prepared to return home full of enthusiasm over this incredible journey. I mean, I sought out a hell of a trip & boy, did I get one! Photographed a Seven Wonder, trekked through the world's tallest mountains, prayed w/ Buddhist monks... Surviving an earthquake of historical magnitude was certainly not on the itinerary. It robbed me of that joyous homecoming, just like it robbed the people of Nepal. I remember wanting nothing more than to fly right back & physically lend a hand. Chicago felt sort of like a prison to me for some time. A sense of guilt washed over me every time I had a clean place to shower, or a warm place to sleep. I began to develop a whole new perspective on things I once took for granted. My mind allowed little room for any thoughts unrelated to Nepal; but being the strong nation I learned it to be, they prevailed. They found ways to rebuild as I found ways to contribute & move forward.
I wouldn't have agreed months ago, but I'm happy I took a step back before revisiting this experience. I got myself into such a funk, I honestly wouldn't have known where to start, or what to write. & I wanted to write... SO badly about this trip! I attempted journaling while I was overseas, but I really struggled to find enough time. I managed to get a few entries in, but each day was filled w/ something new & exciting — when we weren't trekking along shaky suspension bridges, we were trying to catch precious moments in a camera click (along w/ our breath & some decent shut eye). As I now lead up to sharing my photography, this blog will give me the much-anticipated opportunity to talk about the things I never got to talk about.
So grab your passport & travel back w/ me as I relive this extraordinary adventure! I want to show you the wonders of India & Nepal through my eyes.