The Origins of Riya On the Road
Photos by Channing Johnson
Summer is usually the season in which Riya is on the road. As I reminisce on summers past, I thought I’d take some time to unpack the origins behind this blog.
I chose to work at a nonprofit with a very specific mission. I’ve been at my organization for almost four years, and I’ve had so many opportunities in that time. A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to travel on a storytelling trip, and help capture content for the organization. This was my first time being a production assistant, and I had the responsibility of conducting interviews on camera (well, behind the camera, but you get it).
I had never conducted interviews for video content before. I was nervous (like, really nervous). And then, I started conducting interviews. With each interview, I gained confidence. The interviews were no longer interviews, but conversations in which I was completely engrossed. I remember that it felt so natural, that I felt so natural. It was easy, and my love for storytelling was born. At the time, I felt like I found my calling or purpose (dramatic, I know).
I shared my experience with colleagues, with an email titled “Riya On the Road…” That’s how this got started, an office email series. I can’t guarantee that anyone really read my emails, but it doesn’t matter. These emails were mostly for me, to unpack my trips and what I learned and remember the people who taught me. I get lost in each story. I feel connected to each person I’ve interviewed, and I carry a part of their stories with me. I think a lot of trust goes into sharing a personal story, and I feel an obligation to those people that trusted me with theirs.
I’ve been on more storytelling trips since then, and even went from production assistant to producer on some trips. Regardless of my responsibilities, my favorite part is still conducting interviews. I get lost in each story. It’s not abnormal for me to become invested in the people I meet. I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve been moved to tears. These interviews never feel like work - and I know it’s a privilege. There’s nothing more human than one person connecting with another.
This pandemic robbed so many people of so many things, so I feel selfish in missing these opportunities to be on the road and connect with new people. I feel like I’m missing a part of myself. There’s nothing like touching down in a new place, meeting new people, living a few days in their lives and routines, listening to everything they want to share, and then having the chance to ask them anything else that’s on your mind. Those experiences changed me, and those emails changed the way I reflected and wrote about those experiences.
I’m grateful to have written accounts of those experiences along with photos (and video) that I’ll cherish forever. I’ll cherish them until I can be on the road again.
