100 Strangers Project - 35/100 /  by Michael Pung

I met Ben on a walk in one of the back streets of east London near the canals.  When he asked me why I approached him, I replied saying that his look caught my eye and that I HAD to take a few shots.  

Ben is from Stockholm and is here in London to pursue a career in music.  When I caught him, he had just finished a recording session and was heading off to run some errands.  Due to his style, I asked him if he gets approached often, he replied that it has happened a couple of times before, though he said it's always nice to meet new people.  

"I like it when people approach me, it's different in Sweden."  

Thank you for taking part in the project Ben!

100 Strangers Project - 34/100 /  by Michael Pung

I met Kany on a chill afternoon near Tower Bridge where she was outside having a quick break from her work.  She loves studying and goes to university to study Economics.  "I love the history of it, like learning about things like market crashes."  

Kany is from North West London and once she finishes her degree she will pursue something in the finance industry.  

Thank you Kany for taking part and I hope you enjoy the photos!

Christmas Time at the Mcmansion /  by Michael Pung

Twas a night before Christmas and we made it Oxford,

We strolled to a church, where they worship the Lord,

Presents were had the next day, we shared the love,

And waited for HOURS over a stove,

Pot-fulls of deliciousness filled our bellies,

Although later on we needed our wellies,

All in all we had a good time,

With friends, with love and a little bit of wine.


100 Strangers Project - 33/100 /  by Michael Pung

I met a jeweler named Eddy while waiting for my housemate to choose a piece of jewelry for her work Christmas party.  His store is a tapestry of his wonderful creations ranging from necklaces made of toy teeth, to earrings of lego and handbags with model dinosaurs superimposed onto them.  

Eddy started life in Bangkok and then moved to New Zealand before finally coming to London where he hopes to gain citizenship.  He said that he wants to pass his IELTs exam to help him gain citizenship and as an added incentive; his good friend has offered to pay for a trip back to Thailand if he succeeds. 

About his creations he proudly says, "Everything I make I put my heart into it."

Thank you for taking part in the project Eddy!

Eddie's store can be found on his Facebook Page Bitsch Kitsch

100 Strangers Project - 32/100 /  by Michael Pung

Gerardo moved to London over a year ago to look for work. At the time, it was a huge move since this was his first time out of Italy.  

Many of his hours are filled with work as a sous chef in west London and although busy; he appreciates the value of hard work.  He hopes to move to Australia next year and work somewhere remote, where he can take a step back and appreciate the simpler things in life.

He has a considerable admiration for rugby:  "I like it, It's a spiritual sport. There's always a good team spirit.  I played it back at school for four years.  It's a game where you really need to trust your team."  

Unluckily, his time playing it was cut short from injury, "After, I broke three bones right here," he said pointing to his collar bone, "I stopped playing because I didn't feel the same (after recovering)."

We chatted about who were some of the important people in his life and he exclaimed, "In Italy, we have a saying, 'We have just one woman in your life, it is your mother."

Thank you Gerardo for taking part in the project!



100 Strangers Project - 31/100 /  by Michael Pung

A little while back, Arthur spent some time living in the Czech Republic.  His plan was to spend three years living in Prague after receiving an inheritance.  And although he did not have the travel bug, he adored the architecture.  Unfortunately, he only spent a year living there after he discovered how  difficult it was to learn the language. He made the trip for philosophical reasons.

"Everyone has a philosophy, it's the balance of their mind, body and spirit," he explained after sipping his coffee.

 "Are you from New Zealand?" he enquired detecting my accent. When I told him that I was from Australia he said that his old boss was from there. They didn't get along. 

 "He used to finish almost every sentence with the phrase 'cool bananas."

Arthur comes from north London and was taking a coffee break while he was out shopping for his mother's birthday present. "I don't know what to get her," he exclaimed.  "It's always difficult to know what to get for a loved one."

Thank you for taking part in the project and I hope you found the present!



100 Strangers Project - 30/100 /  by Michael Pung

On a chilly, Sunday afternoon in Hyde Park, I came across a man who performed freestyle football on a footpath.  Practicing his skills, he juggled the ball with expert control and balanced it on his head.  After all, he used to play football professionally.

Stef was born and raised in south-east London by an Irish mother and a Trinidadian father.  His parents endured through a tough time due to the stigma on interracial relationships around the period he was born.  He has strong views when it comes to the topic of racism and tolerance, although is optimistic about the future through the younger generation.

"London was built on immigration," he stated.

"The younger generation, they are making a difference and things are changing."

Stef likes to stay fit and in addition to practicing his skills, he rides his bicycle; something he has been doing since he was 4 years old.  And although passionate about fitness, he simply does it out of enjoyment.

I enjoyed our chat, but by the time I got to taking the last photo, the sky became very dark.  He said that he had to get going, so I gave him my business card.  This was when he admitted that he's not one to worry about the internet too much and also doesn't bother with Facebook or iPhones, but despite the fact, he said he may check out my site when he gets the chance.  

Hope you enjoy the photos and thank you for taking part in the project Stef!

Stef


100 Strangers Project - 29/100 /  by Michael Pung

Mollie and Jayden

I was on my way to a catchup with a couple of my friends, when I met Jayden and Mollie. I was taking photos near Westminster Chapel when I spotted them sitting in front of the blue doors.  Jayden waved when I took a photo in their direction (I missed that shot though!) and then I approached them.

They are both college students studying in Kent.  Mollie is studying Fashion and Jayden is studying Sports science.  When it comes to football, Mollie is a Middlesborough fan and Jayden follows Arsenal.  They met through a mutual friend in college.

Jayden is passionate about football and used to play as a defender.  He now coaches his own side.  

Mollie's passion is in her field of study and she hopes to one day live in either Paris and pursue her dream of working in the fashion industry, but also harbours another dream of moving to California and take up surfing.

I enjoyed our brief encounter and wish you both all the best.  Thanks for taking part in my project!