Personal Work
This series captures the soul of a transformative summer, a journey that began in the misty hills of Northern Italy and ended in the golden landscapes of Sicily.
It was my first time discovering the island’s breathtaking beauty. Traveling with two of my closest friends, the trip became a canvas for reflection — on youth, fleeting friendships, and the loss of someone dear just months earlier.
During a summer break from my college studies in the United States, I embarked on a journey that would deepen my connection to the place I once called home. Since moving to the States, I had grown to cherish Italy in ways I never had before, feeling an increasing desire to explore its landscapes, history, and traditions.
This particular trip took me to Southern Italy, a region where cultural idiosyncrasies are etched into every corner, every gesture. Immersing myself in its vibrant rhythms and timeless beauty only strengthened my appreciation for the old country and the intricate tapestry of its heritage.
It was my first time traveling with these two dear friends, and I didn’t quite know what to expect. Travel has a way of revealing hidden facets of a person’s character, and on long road trips, it’s easy for even the closest companions to grow weary of each other.
We would talk for hours, our conversations winding through everything and nothing, only to lapse into stretches of silence that lasted just as long. And yet, those silences were never awkward, but rather peaceful.
Our journey came to an end at the southernmost point of Sicily, where the land seemed to dissolve into the vastness of the sea. We returned the car and parted ways under the glow of the last sunset of the summer.
Life, with all its unpredictability, has kept us from gathering together again since then. And that’s okay—such is the nature of things.