Turning points, crossroads and checkpoints

Rarely things go as they should, but sometimes it happens just like that.

It could occur to you to be - at a certain point of your life - in a nice city, waiting to start a new job in an exotic country, and enjoying a high-level training. In that moment, you'll probably realize how much your new employer is investing in you, and feel an uncanny mix of satisfaction and anxiety.

In that glorious moment between bingo-winner elation and overexpectation awe, you have the warm and comforting feeling that in this world there's a place for you. You realize, you can actually start focusing on your present, and loosen up your frantic planning.

Maybe for the first time since years, this world looks like a pleasant place to enjoy life.

Weirdities - Colombia

Apparently, Ben Hur had some pretty strong influence over Colombian drivers.

Colombia and Uribe's "Seguridad Democratica" plan - Security or makeup?

Democratic security or Democratic Security policy is the revolutionary Colombian security policy implemented during the administration of President Álvaro Uribe (2002-2010).

Streets of... Valle de Leyva, Colombia

Villa de Leyva is one of the finest colonial villages of Colombia, located in a high altitude valley at 2,144 m altitude in the Boyacá Department.

It was declared a National Monument in December 17, 1954 to preserve its architecture, but the valley itself is worth such honor.

Smile Paipa, you're on TV!

Thanks to Manuela Gomez Salgado, reporter at Noticias Uno, I had the chance to participate to a press trip to one of Oxfam main development projects in Colombia. Destination of this mission was Paipa, a small town in the Boyacá province.

Istanbul, a love-hate relationship (part 1)

First of all, allow me to state I am desperately in love with Turkey, and Istanbul in particular.

However, apart from being among the most magnificent and fascinating places I toured on my way back from Central Asia, Istanbul is also the place where I learned one of the toughest lessons of my life.

Streets of... Bogota: La Candelaria

I arrived in Colombia on Friday 11th, to volunteer with a friend of mine's NGO, to practice Spanish, to attend a Summer Course on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, and to experience some work period in South America. Gerardo from RGOS was waiting for me at the airport, and he took me to my temporary place in Bogota. This temporary accommodation is a hostel in downtown Bogota, a nice and informal series of flats in a unique compound with all apartments looking to the inner court. Nothing gives you an idea of how europecentric we are, until you realize that the center is not always the best place in town to stay.

La Candelaria is the equivalent to the Old City. The architecture of the old houses, churches and buildings has Spanish Colonial and Baroque styles. It houses several universities, libraries and museums. Unfortunately, is not suggested to wander around after sunset, because of the high rate of micro-criminality.

Apart from that, it's a pleasure to get lost in its streets, and to enjoy early Sunday morning atmosphere.

Weirdities - Bogota

Top 5 weirdities in Bogota:
1) A truck playing "La Lambada" when driving in reverse (a "beep" wasn't enough);
2) A street seller of "steamed dogs" (perros al vapor);
3) The saddest McDonald ever (really, you can only understand power of design when it's missing);
4) The shortest Presidencial Guards ever;
5) The most confusionary museum ever (Botero Museum);

More will follow for sure...

New horizons

I am two days far from leaving Italy to Colombia, where I will spend around three month. I have no specific plan, or maybe it's better to say I have too many.

Hopefully, I will have time to close the "Trip back home" series of photos (Istanbul is still to be uploaded) and to work out some unedited taken in Kyrgyzstan, and the new Colombian series.

More news coming soon...

Hopefully.

The town of fairies: Göreme

I always heard lots of stories about the beauty of Cappadocia. Apparently, this part of Turkey is able to inspire visitors a mystic feeling of worship, stupor and respect. Its bewitching landscape of spectacularly eroded tuff fields, extinct volcanoes, and capped-cones (called "fairy chimneys") made this region in Central Anatolia famous worldwide.

A day in paradise - Lake Van, Turkey

Notwithstanding having risked to be jailed for smuggling on my way from Iran to Turkey, I finally reached Van. I managed to reach it safe and free, I mean.

Cigarettes smuggling in Anatolia

The plan was simple and cost-effective. I was supposed to buy the ticket for a daily bus line connecting Urumié (Iran), with Van (Turkey).

Iranian Sanda and Wushu League

While in Tehran, I went with Reza to attend the Sanda and Wushu League. Reza is a retired Sanda fighter, now playing as referee and member of the Jurì during official competitions. He invited me to join him in the Sanda and Wushu League, which is played every Sunday. I was introduced as Special Italian Guest - Reza loves to create brand new gloriously fake identities for me according to the situation - and I gained to move freely around the pitches to take pictures, and three kisses on the cheeks plus a sudden kiss on the lips as special bonus for special guests.

Tehran in a glance

I left Tashkent without having booked an hotel, bought a guide or city map, and without being able to get in touch with anyone of the people I was introduced to by email. Before landing, I already had two offers for a ride in town, and one offer for accommodation as a guest. Before leaving the airport, the latter raised up to three. This is just to give you a practical example of how much a government can differ from the population it rules on. I visited many countries, I know friends - very good friends - from a number of different states, but I never met such a hearty felt sense of hospitality for unknown foreigners. If I am able to consider Tehran as one of the best experiences in my life, this is all because of Mr. Soudi, Reza, and Azadeh. These three people, among many others, dedicated a lot of their time driving me around to see the city and meet their friends, acted as translators and offered me shelter. They introduced me to some secrets of Tehran, ad it's my pleasure to share some sparkles of its beauty with all of you. From now on, don't trust the media when it comes to Iran. Ask Iranian people instead.

Finally, Samarkand!

The Guri Amir Mausoleum

Across the Uzbek desert

These photos have been taken during the trasfer from Khiva to Bukhara. Let's say it's a compensation for the fact that I didn't take any photo in Bukhara...

Khiva dreaming

After leaving Moynaq and the sad remaining of the Aral Sea, I drove south for 7 hours to reach Khiva before dark. Unfortunately, I failed. I was dropped out the taxi at around 8 in the evening. Considering that it was mid-February, the difference with anytime around midnight was not so remarkable. Because of that, and of a series of unlucky situations (all cheap B&B seemed to be undergoing renovation works) I ended up being in a oddly expensive hotel right in front of the main door. Let's face it: 50 dollars per person\night is a ridiculously high price for a modest hotel during off season. Anyway, the city was worth the investment. Khiva is an incredible place, and I hope the photos you will see below prove what I say.

Requiem for a paradise

"Forty years ago, Muynak was a busy fishing port where the waters of the Aral Sea lapped up against the shoreline.

Today the waters have receded so much, that there is not a drop as far as the eye can see.


When the former Soviet Union diverted the Ama Dariya and the Syrdariya - the rivers which fed the Aral Sea - to grow cotton in the desert, they created an ecological and human disaster.

Sparks of Tashkent

Just a few shots taken in the amazing Registan of Tashkent. Guest stars in a picture, Martina and Marc. Guys, thanks for all wonderful moments together! PS: Marc, I'll send you the pics of your teen-revival tobogganing moments privately, ok? ;)

Welcome to Tashkent

Road to Tashkent

Someday I will write about the amazing experience at the Checkpoint Dostik, where me and some friends from Osh strove 5 hours for entering Uzbekistan from Kyrgyzstan. Curious enough, Dostik (or Dostuk) means Friendship. In the meantime, please enjoy some pictures taken on my way from Osh to Tashkent, through Andijon.

The small market after the checkpoint Dostik