So what does it mean, this 2nd trip to India?.... Well, it is for sure going to be distinct from time number 1.  The time number 1's can be for the exploration, but the time number 2's are for the deepening. Time number one was with my mom, and time number two is with Dad.I felt the first time I went to India I questioned what was it that "made me Indian". Sounds funny heh? I know. Silly but a worthy one to pursue. And for whatever magical forces that makes wishes come true, it was a trip successful in bringing some connection to the family values and traits that make up my heritage. Being a Vancouver-born and Toronto-raised Canadian, I sort of lose sight of how to navigate the two cultures (or 3 if you consider the aforementioned Canadian cities to be in a cultural conflict...lol). And so with some family+backpacking+25 cities in India already explored in my last visit, it feels only a ripe time to go deeper into some differing but very resonant themes with me: sacred sites vs bollywood. city vs. rural life. materialism vs. spirituality. The juxtaposition. The beauty. The conflict.

My dad had a 10-year career as an actor in Bollywood and as a singer, during the romantic 70's...and going a little deeper and finding out more about his career at that time is a HUGE interest of mine. Not only cuz he's my pops, but because the 70's had so much class and disco influence -- and modern Bollywood has simply lost touch with the innocence that era had.

I've chosen to do this with my photo lens, video camera and watercolours. I think you will see lots of this in the coming days/weeks so that's it for now. Good night, 5 sleeps to Calcutta!