Meet Tungia, Medina and their son Anel. I met them whilst photographing the Stari Most in Mostar. After helping to take a couple of their family portraits, Tungia unhesitantly asked me where I came from. ‘Malaysia’ I said. ‘That’s a very good country, you’re like brothers to us’ he exclaimed. During the Bosnian War, Malaysia were one of the few countries that step up effort to help the country. In return I’ve asked him the same question. ‘I’m from Mostar but now live in Germany. I fled during the war and never returned’ he continued. His wife Medina interfered ‘Tungia left Mostar because his family were killed and the house that they live was gone. He had nowhere to go’. Tungia looked a bit unhappy. ‘We’re now tourist just like you, we have no more family in Mostar’ she continued. I felt deeply sorry for him. ‘You have a really beautiful country and Mostar is amazing’ I continued. ‘Stari Most was more beautiful before they bombed it, but at least its up again’ Medina tried to explain.
After the brief conversation I asked them for a family portrait for my own. ‘Good luck with your travels and enjoy Mostar’. Thank you Tungia, I’ve definitely enjoyed Mostar.
