“Where I Come From” is a Darling series that pays homage to the cities, towns and countries that we call home. Although we are not defined by where we come from, these places are a defining part of our stories.
Where I come from change is a part of the norm
With an influx of people coming and going
Ceaseless construction cacophony
Becoming the origin of emerging technology
But even amidst the transformation,
I find attributes of familiarity that make this city uniquely mine
Where I come from taught me
The meaning of unity and kinship
From the empowerment of individualism
To cultural diversity
Where I come from boasts steep hills and sinuous pavements
Nestled by the ocean and the bay
With islands, bridges, pergolas and skyscrapers
That leaves you breathless and in awe
Where I come from is a transplant city
That sets the backdrop for many dreams and realities
With constant hustle and bustle
Ideas formulate into existence
Where I come from you live in a juxtaposition
Of the harsh reality of vagrancy
And the luxuries of opulent wealth
Of the slowness of wandering bison
And the fast-paced startup trend
Where I come from the seasons are unexpectedly reversed
Dominated by persistent fog
Hidden by layers of clouds and mist
Where I come from the old
Gets repainted, rebranded and rebuilt
And sold as a premium
Yet, its beauty and reverence still in tact
In the Victorian houses, the colorful Sunset and the everlasting Chinatown
San Francisco, you are home and you will always have my heart
What did your hometown or country teach you? How has it played a part in your identity?
Images via Trever Hoehne, Darling Issue No. 7
