Kacha 2.0: revisiting the canal one year later

23 Jun 2014

Kacha 2.0: revisiting the canal one year later

One year ago, while walking back home from the mall where I had lunch, I decided to try a shortcut that led me to discover a whole community of people leaving both sides of a tiny and dirty canal called Kacha (see that post here). Today, roughly 12 months later, I felt like revisiting that neighborhood again, and see how much (or little) has changed during this time. But, to make things a bit different, I settled to walk the canal in the opposite direction this time, starting almost at the end of it, where it disappears under the chaotic flow of Rama IX road, and walking backwards to the place where I started my trip last time.

Resemblance, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

The stroll, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

Shaded labour, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

The boy and me, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

It's surprising how such a small difference can change things so much; yes, I recognized the sights, the precarious bridges, the stench of the waters, the immense trees, the huts in all kind of impossible positions, but everything looked new at the same time since the arrangement of the alleyways followed a new random pattern, and the people I encountered in my first visit where nowhere to be seen this time. The bark of near dogs remained constant, as also did my steps, walking leisurely under a scorching sun.

Roof and cloud I, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

Roof and cloud II, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

House and cloud, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

However, I reached the spot where las year I entered this microcosm much faster than expected, maybe because it was early afternoon and there was almost nobody on the streets, which made my walk unperturbed and, unfortunately, uneventful. But it was still early to go back home and, upon realizing that the canal continued ahead after that wide bridge, I crossed to the other side, and resumed my walk in new grounds (though along the same, old waters).

Mirror pool I, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

Mirror pool II, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

Mirror pool III, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

The sun was slowly descending, so people were starting to reappear in the streets again, and this gave me opportunities to shoot some of them, at times unaware of me, absorbed in their own routines, other times curious but distant, some other times literally approaching me, wide open smiles, asking for a picture. This is not that unusual in this city, specially among children, but today the people that approached me were specially friendly, so I quickly took a decision but kept it a secret for the time being. I indirectly asked if they would be around at the same time the following day, and left with a smile. The next day, roughly at the same time, I returned with one printed picture for each of them, and seeing the bright smiles and signs of happiness and gratitude they showed me was the best thing that could have happened to me, and filled me with joy. Photography has given me so many things until now, that it was only fair that I paid back a bit!

The mototaxi drivers, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

Mototaxi driver, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

The gang, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm

Last time I concluded my post embracing detours, and if I had to give another advice this time, that would be: remember to always look back while you walk. You might find out things that you just past by and did not see at all.