Stranger 258 of 300 - Robina - a photo on Flickriver

I was at the MaRS building, it was a wet day where the drizzle kept threatening to burst into a downpour, but never delivered on the threat. Yet, despite the wetness and the clouds, the feel of spring and better weather permeated the air.
I stood and watched stranger after stranger walk past. I didn't feel any energy or any connection with any of them. So I continued to wait. Eventually, I saw a young woman approaching, she had her headphones in and was holding a Tim Horton's cup. I approached her and asked her if I could take her photo. At first she thought I wanted her to take my photo, that misunderstanding sorted out, she readily agreed. Meet Robina.
I asked her to stand over by the trees for a better background and she immediately made herself comfortable and sat on the wall, legs crossed and pulled up towards her chest. I took several photos and talked with Robina. She was on her lunch break and had been taking a long walk to enjoy the spring like conditions.
Robina's biggest challenge had been to balance being available to help others emotionally and practically, with looking after herself. She has been brought up by her brothers since she was thirteen and arrived in Canada as her parents are in Afghanistan after fleeing Pakistan. With no female role model and no strong male influence it hasn't been easy. Robina has been concentrating recently on taking care of herself and she's pleased with her progress. She's found as she pays more attention to herself and her needs, she has been able to be a more positive influence on those around her, especially her brothers.
If she could change something it would be to have had more opportunity to date young men. Perhaps due to her tradition and her brother’s strict influence, or perhaps she had never found anyone that she wanted to date; but she had only recently felt herself ready and willing to date.
Her biggest challenge has been to be more spiritually aware within herself. She had followed all the Muslim devotional practices including diligently observing Ramadan, but at school and work she has never followed the rules of Hijab for women.
We talked for a very long time until Robina had to return to work. It was a pleasure meeting you Robina and I wish you the very best future

<a See more about the 100 Strangers project and the photos at: www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers.
This is my 225th photo in The Human Family Group, see pictures posted here: www.flickr.com/groups/thehumanfamily.
To see more of my photography or connect with me join me on Instagram@mgstwo2

Taken on: May 15, 2019

Sets appears in: • April 17th to May 3rd-2019 • The Human Family group more » • 100 Strangers « less

Groups appears in: • Portraiture Photography (of real people) • world wide women more » • Wonderful Women • Portraits... Get Closer! • beautiful women • Women with a wow factor • Can I take your picture? • Portrait Club • portraits of women • Close Up Color Portraits • STRANGERS! • Beautiful Strangers • Portrait of a Lady • Asia Portraits - 亞洲人像創作 - • Street portrait • Just Women • Human Faces • BEAUTYFULL WOMEN OF THE WORLD • Get Closer! Portraits • 100 Strangers • Portraits on the Go • CLASSY WOMEN • Any Kind* of Portrait You Want • A Women's Face • Beautiful women in our everyday lives (No Models Please) • Women of Natural Beauty • woman portrait • Perfect Portraits • Women Women Women • Asian Adoration • Portrait Obsession • 100 Strangers Project • The Portrait Exhibit • Beautiful Photographs of Women • Portrait Beauty ! • Beautiful Amazing Women • Portrait World (人像世界) • Being themselves; The Portrait Group • Portraits and Faces • Women Portrait • Pretty Portraits • Portrait/Mood/Face • Beautiful Young Women and Their Faces • Beautiful, Stunning Women • Portrait And People • Women's Portraits Only • Glorious Women of Color • This is Why I Bought A Camera • Street Portraits Close Ups Only • Portraits of Strangers- Rule Free Zone • The Human Family • Women's faces • Women and girls portraits • One rule : WOMEN « less

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