With the Karakoram on one side and the Ladakh Range on the other, my eyes remained fixed on the Shyok River as it carved its way through a landscape shaped by deep time. The Shyok flows onward to Skardu before eventually meeting the Indus, carrying with it stories of culture, displacement, trade, art, and people who have lived alongside its banks for generations.

Much of that life continues quietly, far from the churn of social media trends that arrive, linger briefly, and disappear.

This year, I spent more time learning about the rivers and the communities of this region.

The more I learn, the more fascinated I become. What began as a curiosity has slowly grown into a deeper aspiration to trace these rivers, follow their histories, and one day travel the Silk Route in its many forms.