It’s Giving Eat, Pray, (Love): How I Ended My Year in India and Bangladesh

My friend once said, “These things only happen in films and to you.” Maybe they’re right.

There’s something truly beautiful about the way travel works. It allows us to slip into lives and places so different from where we’re from, with each destination becoming its own little world. When we return to what we call our “normal lives,” it can feel like stepping into an alternate reality.

What fascinates me is how travel creates opportunities to find a sense of belonging in the most unexpected places. We discover our people, build little communities and somehow, it all feels natural—like it was meant to be. That’s a testament to the incredible people I’ve met on this journey and the magic they brought into my life.

I took this self portrait in Bombay :)

I had so many different expectations for this trip and the experience was nothing short of a rollercoaster. There were moments when I felt deeply connected, like I’d found my place and others when I felt like an outsider—a stranger in a new city. That feeling of disconnect is something many of us, especially first and second-generation kids, wrestle with.

I, like many others, came to India seeking inspiration. Unlike the natural pull that draws so many here, my journey felt more like a necessity—a need to understand deeper parts of myself.

Over a year ago, I took one of those DNA tests—not something I view as entirely accurate, but it offered a glimpse into parts of my ancestry I was curious to explore. I wanted to see if these connections resonated with me on a personal level. That curiosity shaped my journey, taking me to Bombay, Dhaka, Kolkata, and then back to Bombay, where I eventually flew back to Berlin.

Each city was overwhelming in its own way, yet never to the point where I felt I couldn’t stay. Revisiting these places—and traveling to Bangladesh alone for the first time last year—helped me prepare emotionally and mentally for this experience. Familiarity made it easier, as I imagine it would for anyone.

If you’ve been keeping up with my Instagram stories, you already know I was eating very well every single day. The food was nothing short of immaculate—so fresh, so vibrant and so deeply regional. This trip gave me a chance to dive into the creative food scenes in Bombay and places like Bombay Canteen absolutely blew me away. Even Bombay Daak, with its incredible drinks and snacks, felt like such a unique representation of the city’s evolving culinary identity. It was inspiring to see this new wave of creativity.

In Dhaka, the experience was equally mind-blowing. My friend Sameera, an extraordinarily talented chef, hosted one of the best pop-ups I’ve ever attended. Her work with Bangladeshi food was a masterclass in taste, creativity, and innovation. Honestly, I believe she’s setting trends that will go down in history, redefining how we think about Bangladeshi cuisine. It was such a privilege to witness her artistry firsthand. 

Kolkata was another revelation. Experiencing Bengali food there felt like discovering a new layer of my identity. I’d never seen such thoughtful representation of the cuisine before and for the first time, I really felt seen. It was incredible. In London, there’s some presence of Bangladeshi food but it doesn’t have the visibility or cultural weight that North Indian cuisine does. Seeing Bangladeshi and Bengali food celebrated in such a rich way outside of my home was so powerful and validating and so bloody delicious! 

I also visited Cox’s Bazar in the south of Bangladesh, which turned out to be another culinary highlight of my journey. The seafood there was phenomenal—fresh, vibrant, and perfectly cooked. I also had the chance to try some Rakhine food, which was an incredible experience. If I had to describe it, I’d say it felt like the divine lovechild of Northern Thai cuisine and Bangladeshi flavors. But truly, it was distinct and stood on its own, offering something entirely unique.

This experience also gave me a deeper appreciation for the diverse communities that call Cox’s Bazar home, particularly the Burmese community, whose culinary traditions often go underrepresented. Exploring Rakhine food broadened my understanding of the region and its people, and it was a reminder of how much richness and depth can be found in places where cultures intersect.

As I was traveling solo for most of this trip, I spent a lot of time exploring on my own. But sharing meals with new people I met along the way added so much joy and depth to the experience. 

Spirituality and prayer played a significant role in my journey and Christmas Day in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was a truly profound experience for me. I visited an Orthodox church in Old Dhaka, not entirely sure what to expect and it turned out to be one of the most memorable and impactful moments of my trip. Over the past few months, Bangladesh has been portrayed in a negative light, especially in India, with stereotypes suggesting that the country is resistant to progress or overly focused on becoming a religiously conservative state. Experiencing Dhaka firsthand helped me challenge and better understand these narratives.

At the church, I met the caretaker—a kind, elderly man who, interestingly, is Hindu but has devoted himself to looking after this Christian space. Meanwhile, the security and police officers guarding the church were Muslim. Talking to them, hearing their perspectives and witnessing this coexistence was deeply moving. It reminded me that, at the core, people everywhere ultimately want the same thing: to live in peace and contribute positively to the world. In that moment, within the serene walls of the church, it all felt idyllic and hopeful. I know the world is far from this ideal, with so much conflict and pain but somehow being in that sacred space gave me a real sense of harmony.

My mum has always been deeply connected to Christianity and spirituality, so while I was there, I lit a few candles for her and we burned some incense together. The peace I felt there stayed with me throughout the day. That morning in the church wasn’t just a spiritual experience—it was a reminder of the profound connections we all share, regardless of our differences. It set the tone for the day.

While exploring Old Dhaka, I found myself on a vibrant Hindu street and decided to visit a temple. Unfortunately, it was closed but the caretakers were lounging outside. I asked if there was any way to go inside, and a 15-year-old girl named Radhika stepped forward. She told me the temple was closed but offered to show me the other ones nearby. I thought, Why not?

What followed was such a heartwarming experience. As Radhika guided me through the street, we chatted in a mix of Bangla and English. Seeing the neighborhood through her eyes made it all the more special—this was the street where she was born and raised and she seemed to know everyone. Her familiarity brought a sense of life and community to the place that I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.

She took me to a few other temples, each more beautiful than the last and even led me to a rooftop where we admired the stunning views. As we talked, I shared that I’m Muslim and she responded with such enthusiasm, telling me she had visited a mosque before. It sparked a really open and friendly conversation about faith and life. At one point, I asked if she felt safe living there and her immediate response was yes. Hearing that gave me so much hope for the younger generation. Her confidence and positivity were inspiring, like it's so important to nurture and protect these values in our communities.

Radhika was such a lovely soul. There were moments that felt so sweet and simple, like when she took me to her favorite street vendor and excitedly said, “This is my favorite milkshake!” The vendor was incredibly kind, offering me a milkshake as well. When Radhika tried to pay, I laughed and said, “Absolutely not—you’re 15 years old!” It was just cute. 

Later, I had the chance to meet her grandmother. Her grandmother mentioned that Radhika’s maternal side of the family is Sylheti. I lit up and told her, I’m Sylheti too!

And now, the part I know many of you have been waiting for—the love element of my trip. To be honest, the entire day already felt extraordinary. From the moment I woke up that morning, I had this unshakable feeling that it was going to be one of those days—the kind where everything just clicks. Spending the day in Old Dhaka had already been such a beautiful, fulfilling experience and I truly thought that would be the highlight. But as the day unfolded, something unexpected happened.

I’m still processing everything that happened—it really was a magical day, as much as I hate to sound cheesy. But for now, I’ll leave it at that. Happy New Year and I hope you have the most awesome start to the year.

The track I’ll leave you with today is Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer.

Love,

Rez x