Marking 5 years
I like milestones. They provide a satisfying sense of accomplishment and achievement whilst ensuring the preservation of a little focus and direction.
This post is a celebration of one such milestone. April 9th, 2016 marked exactly 5 years since I first posted on this blog. It’s a pleasant feeling to know that despite the many twists and turns, the sporadic uprooting, the hellos and the goodbyes, and the often unplanned wanderings, I have still found time to regularly (well, kind of regularly) update and commit part of my energy and heart to this little project.
A project that began with the somewhat vague aim of recording my ramblings has now grown into a means by which to document a multitude of experiences that came along the way.
What this milestone also represents is that it is now a little over five years since I arrived in Bangladesh. When I think back to that time (March 2011), I really had no idea I would remain so long in this country, but I don’t regret it one bit. I arrived on a short term contract with a cautious ambition to perhaps extend that to a year. Five years on I’m still here aside from a one year sabbatical (of sorts) in Guyana.
Bangladesh has been good to me, and I am very grateful for that. I can’t really believe how quickly the five years have flown by, but in that time I’ve been lucky enough to explore this country a little and also travel to Nepal, India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Laos, Bhutan, Thailand, and even back to Rwanda a couple of times.
Most importantly though I have been lucky enough to work in a job that has inspired me to grow and learn. I’ve been surrounded by some fantastic colleagues right from the start, and they have been a source of constant knowledge whilst encouraging me to change and develop my outlook on many, many things.
I have of course also been privileged to teach and work with students who have taught me far more than I have them.
As always with these short posts that mark a milestone, I prefer to let images tell the story, so here are a few which I think sum up just why that tentative first few months turned into five years and provided me with so many amazing adventures under this one sun.
All images © John Stanlake
UNDER ONE SUN 
Great pics as always! Last one is my favorite. Keep ’em coming, bud!
It is an interesting story of your life in Bangladesh and the pictures explain more about your love for the place.
Lovely pictures as usual 🙂
Your photography has really become something to behold, Stanners. I also can’t quite believe you’ve been in Bangladesh for five years! Keep the amazing photos and posts coming 🙂
It certainly doesn’t seem like 5 years. How time flies. We have really enjoyed reading all your wonderful blogs from Bangladesh and all the many other countries you have visited not to mention all the spectacular photos. Keep them coming and here’s to another year of hearing about your latest exploits. xx
Proud of you, John! It has been fun to read your posts.
Love the old school blog lay-out !!
And your photos are worth to be published in National Geographic.
You created your own “Your Shot” personal account already?