This is a photo taken  on a hiking route that heads to Negoiu Peak (2535m), the second highest in the Fagaras Mountains of Romania. The summit can be seen on the right side of the image; but the precise location is not necessarily important.

Impressive landscape in Fagaras Mountains,Romania.

This picture actually captures one of the main reasons why people go to the mountains.

I’ve been going to the mountains since the first memories of myself. My father was born in a small mining town at the bottom of a mountain. My aunt lived in the house which was closest to the mountain; basically, the road ended at their doorsteps. Through their backyard, you could directly access the path toward the mountain. They would usually go out a bit on the mountain side “to get” some blueberries, “some pitoi “(mushrooms), some firewood for the stove, or a little cold spring water. It was really another world, definitely more natural than our modern world, technological, full of rules and devoid of meaning. For them, the mountain was a kind of “nearby shopping center”, to which they would go whenever they felt like,  to get  their supplies, cheerfully and for free.

This way, through my father and his loved ones, walking in the mountains became absolutely normal, natural for me. It wasn’t actually perceived as a “healthy physical activity” nor as a “holiday escape” accompanied by sticks and sophisticated hiking equipment. It was simply life as we knew it. Future hometown visits have always involved a little escape on the mountain.

The mountain was the backyard park.

Of course, on the mountain, my father was always taking photos. Before giving me his camera I had “to pass” two exam subjects: a famous car race that took place then in our city and the mountain-garden from my grandparents’ and uncles’ life …. Over the years, they turned into the Tour of France and Fuji, the Pyrenees, the Alps …. Here in Fagaras, I have reached the Romanian intermezzo between Japan and France.

At that time, photography was already taking up an increasing slice of my activities. Finally, I had in my backpack, although very  heavy and bulky, the equipment needed to take pictures as I really wanted: from all points of view,  spontaneous, but at the same time technically good, capable to attune both lovers of poetry and technology, altogether.

The climb was quite tough with all this “gear”! So, up on the mountain, during a  break, I managed to recharge myself with the help of my hiking friends: the rocks and the clouds. And so, “filled by beauty”, I managed to capture an aspect that can make you want to gather your strength and go “up there” to see “the place where the clouds turn back”. Where is this place? It’s on a mountain …. it is universal! Go to the mountain and you’ll find it!….