I arrived back in the city alone with a small bag, feeling surprisingly at home. I had every reason to feel displaced, and I braced myself for a surge of loneliness. It never really came. I spent all week seeing friends and the weekend reading books by myself at my new place. It was a relief to finally have the freedom to do nothing in my own personal space.
I haven’t quite stopped moving since I left Shanghai last summer. Since then I’ve built cozy little homes in/around Beijing, Korea, Yunnan, Brooklyn, and Vietnam. The truth is that I’d do it all over again.
陶然
I used to buy vegetables and dumpling skins at this wet market.
创意英国
On Sunday, I was interviewed by one of my graduate program colleagues about my early life history. Listening to her calming voice, I reached far back into my memories. Then I panicked. I remembered always having a bedroom in a safe home, and friends and family. Sometimes I even had pets. But I couldn’t place them on a geographic map or a chronological timeline. Memories aren’t linear.
I thought about it for a long time afterwards. Home is not really a physical place, is it?
It’s the people, the conversations, the meals you’ve shared. The street you walked on, day after day.
No truer words. And such beautiful accompanying photos!
Aw sewon, I love this post, especially you’re concept of memories and home. I miss blogging these days, taking photos and sharing them, reflecting and writing. You are always so inspiring.
Nice thoughts about home
What an amazing life you lead!
That’s so true, Sewon. Home is not simply a place named, “Home”.
Sometimes even if I’m at home, I couldn’t feel homed. But, sometimes, when I’m in somewhere outside home, I feel homed. The feeling of “Home” is complicated.
Lovely pictures, and even lovelier words.
this post is so relevant to me right now, thank you for speaking the words i can’t seem to put down.
xx
I like the dreamy atmosphere of your pictures Sewon
Your thoughts about memory sound so familiar! home is where my heart is at home… 
Another well written entry! And I absolutely love your photographs.
SeWon!
Great to hear from you! I totally agree, home does not always have to be a geographical place (although, for some people, it might be).
I’ve only lived in one city my whole life, so far. I hope that maybe one day, I can have many “homes”.
I love all these photos, as always. They bring up very familiar feelings.
I can honestly relate. I am now living in Taipei and I will officially be a resident very soon. 12 hour time difference from where I used to live.
Such nice words and beautiful photos! I can really relate to what you are saying and it feels comforting to read it.
I love this post and you make me long to travel, to explore parts of the world that I’ve only ever dreamed out. I couldn’t agree more that home is not always a physical place. I felt that when I moved from my childhood home and realised that it’s just a house and what makes ‘home’ are the sweet memories and people around you.
book exchange will be fun and i look forward to.
Totally agree about home, Sewon! What kind of graduate program are you doing in NYC? Hope all is well
Your words are as beautiful as your photographs. Every post is a favourite for me! x
I love your photos and your words! They are so true.
I want to travel with you one day
“I thought about it for a long time afterwards. Home is not really a physical place, is it?
It’s the people, the conversations, the meals you’ve shared. The street you walked on, day after day.”
This is so perfect.
I completely agree.
I’ll be heading to New York for a week or two next Easter. I can’t wait to experience it firsthand.