Meet Luke Paluch.
“I was born and raised in Warsaw, Poland during the communist regime. Things were tough there, but we didn’t know anything else. I remember my uncle sending us packages of things we couldn’t get, like bananas. I remember taking a banana out into the street and my friends were amazed and begged me to let them even touch it. When we were to move, my dad asked which country was better for raising a family, and he was told you can live the American dream and become rich in the U.S, but to raise a family, go to Canada. My dad started out in Winnipeg, in the winter, and when he couldn’t go outside for a week because of the cold he decided to move to Ottawa. As an adult, I lived in Ireland for five and a half years, but moved back to Ottawa in 2010, and landed on Stirling Street in Hintonburg. I love this area because it gives me everything I need. A gym to do crossfit in, butchers and grocery stores where I can buy local, amazing coffee shops, a sense of community, and I found every member of my band on my street. I know if my wife and I ever need something, people in my community will come to help. Our street has a communal feel to it, and we have BBQs and weddings and get-togethers in each other’s backyards. I would love to retire in Vietnam, where you can rent a place on the beach and eat fresh seafood for pennies a day. The people there are so beautiful.” Collected by Ellen Bond
Humans of Kitchissippi is a special street photography project designed to introduce readers to some of the people who live, work, and play in Kitchissippi. Each instalment of HOK contains three elements: a photo, a name, and a quote from the subject that reveals a little bit about who they are. View our growing collection of humans right here.