This is my entry for #monomad challenge by @monochromes.Hello to all! Hot day in Italy. To find a fresh place, we went to a river shore called Crystal Beach, along Tanaro river, between Verduno and Pollenzo cities (in Piedmont region, north Italy).Along Tanaro river, you can find stones belonged to the ancient Mediterranean sea that was here 5-7 millions of years ago. After ancient climate change, within the closure of Strait of Gibraltar (that connected Mediterranean with Atlantic ocean), the sea evaporated, leaving here great amount of salt crystal: rock salt, selenite and anhydrite, that you can find after the enduring water erosion of the river.Looking for the place, we got lost, but it has been a pleasure to visit these wonderful place (Langhe region), famous for vineyards and hazelnuts trees.We finally found the beach, near a closed restaurant called 'La Cascata' (The waterfall).River water was calm but high (due to intense rain of last months in north Italy). There was a small beach with sand, and a rocky bank plenty of shining crystal of salt! There were also some sources of water, who have eroded, through centuries, the least resistant rock layers, flowing down the rocky salt layer:Here you can view some layers of rocks. Above, the salt layer: ![](

This is my entry for #monomad challenge by @monochromes.I have dreamt to be under this mountain for many years. I have noticed it in an old postcards from my travel to Karakorum in 2005. In 2022 I had the opportunity, being in Karakorum again, to admire the great beauty and elegance of the shape of its ridges, similar to the teeth of a huge shark!Laila Peak is located in Hushe Valley. It is 6096 meters high. You can see it after climbing Gondogoro Pass (5700 meters high), almost the same altitude of the summit. Here a picture before sunrise:Descent from Gondogoro Pass is not easy and it is very long, also for the high altitude and the lack of ossigen. Not alpinism but very dangerous if condition are not good. It is better to afford it before dawn, because of during morning and afternoon, the heat of sun can defrost ice between rocks, and the risk of falling rocks becomes very high. Also at dawn, some rocks had fallen near our group, at an impressive velocity and unpredictable trajectories. There was also some ice on the path, and a rope to help us to go down. You can see also a big glacier under our feet and above our heads.Path was extremely tiring and steep, with some invisible dark ice mixed with deep mud. When path becomes less steepy, we had a break.Porters walk only with socks (they have more friction than plastic shoes), and they take them off, leaving it there. In fact this valley is also called 'the cemetery of socks' by joke.Thi

This is my entry for #monomad challenge by @monochromes.Weather forecast has been strange in Italy at the end of june. Cold outside, warm water. A lot of rain, humidity. Here the main river in Turin, its name is Po.There is long promenade on the side of the river, with trees, grass, many people walking, running, taking outside the dog, and some rowers training in the river. I took this pictures from a pedestrian bridge:A peaceful place inside the city, and this strange fog effect on the surface of water:Here the other side of the river.Pictures taken with Sony Alpha 7iii. 26.06.2024

Săpânța, Romania.Maria life is simple, in touch with nature. Another time, a slow time.House is full of colors: mainly red, yellow and blue, in harmony. A long vine tree around the building.She uses to spin wool to built carpet, sweaters, socks and many other things:I love the mix of colors in the following pictures:In her veins an entire life of work: In Maramureș region you can find many people (usually women) living in very ancient wooden houses. Let's go inside!She was preparing her clothes for our visit:Here the main room. It looks like a church: sacred icons, plates, carpets, large chandeliers, embroidered cushions...![](

"Please let yourself grow And come out from the darkness If you stay, how will you know The scape where your heart is?" (Time - Tom Adams)Come out from the darkness and watch how much light, arts and joy (despite poverty and violence) is in Nairobi slum and around lake Turkana tribes.This is the great scape where true humanity grows. A place inhabited by great spirits, I felt them during the night: they talk to me in dream, they move around pushed by the nighty strong wind in desertic places, entered inside the soul of all open heart people. Two girls in Nairobi slum, I imagine them talking about some secret: Future and love:Here in the courtyard of a school:"I'll be with you to the end The morning is here soon Keep blossoming my friend Just escape, let yourself know" (Tom Adams)Watch a short video/pics about my experience in Kenya: Nairobi - Kibera Slum. Turkana lake. Ngurunit - Rendille tri

A peaceful and long sunset in front of the ocean, in Vestvågøy island, Lofoten.In Norway no one steals. You can leave the key in the car, the house open: no one takes something.If anyone steals, he/she would be simply excluded from society. But it is not the fear to avoid thefts, but the great respect each one has for others people. And to nature too.Neither a picture of a landscape is stolen, it is a gift from God.Notice how calm is ocean water! The tide was low, so you can see also sand.A good place to meditate, to forget the stress and continuous rush of daily life.Our rented house, like an heart in a frozen landscape.Pictures taken with Sony Alpha 7iii. March 2024.