SCUBA Dive and underwater photography
SCUBA dive is one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I got the Open Water certification pushed by a friend and coworker, but really I wasn't very interested. The first time i dove in the ocean (Catalina Island) I literally got carried away for several seconds. All the training in the pool kicked in (thank God) and I started breathing normally. I was amazed by the beauty of the underwater world.
We all know at a conceptual level that the ocean covers 70% of the surface of Earth. Thus, it's natural to thank that there is a lot more interaction and life underwater. I could only experience the majesty of this statement when I dove for the first time.
I sated the hunger for knowledge about the blue world very quickly. In a couple of years I got certified as divemaster and I am currently working on the assistant instructor certification.
I am in love with natural parks. I developed a passion for photography looking at the amazing pictures of Michal Fatali. It was just natural for me to combine the passion for photography and SCUBA dive. I currently dive and take pictures with a Canon Rebel XSi (aka 450D) and the RDX 450, an underwater housing from Sea&Sea.
I am certified with PADI. I'd like to thank my trainer and mentor Karen Elaine. She plays viola for a living (she is and exceptional musician, by the way) and teaches SCUBA dive almost as a hobby but she is just terrific, clear, focused and she trains for perfection. I owe her my higher SCUBA dive education.
Hiking and natural parks
It happens really often that people asked me how I could leave Italy and Europe, with so much beautiful architecture and history. They make a point of "several thousand years of history and architecture!" That statement always makes me smile. In USA there are natural parks practically uncontaminated that are several millions of years old. I just cannot compare human-made architecture with the spontaneous beauty of nature.
I feel blessed for having moved to United States and especially to California. hiking was great already in Italy, but the gorgeous deserts and natural parks I could visit here in USA are absolutely a spiritual experience.
There is nothing like having a view on the Amphitheatre in Bryce Canyon. It's just breathtaking. The sudden realization of the beauty of nature gave me a feeling I never tried before. Bryce Canyon is by far my favorite park I visited so far. I visited many of the southwest: Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, Antelope Canyon, Canyonlands, Red Rock canyon, Yosemite, and many others.
I am a hiking-lover. I tried hiking a little late in my life but it was pure love. I always haven been in technology, for my entire life. Hiking was the first experience that distracted me for technology. It's now almost a physical need I have, to be surrounded by nature and finally turn off my brain, to experience peace through my senses.
Photography
I combine the passion for nature with photography. I bought my first camera ever (an SLR) in 2009. These are a few pictures I took (no photoshop, I swear):