United States of America: ANOTHER way of living

A lot of concrete, many cars, almost inexistent pedestrians. Empty sidewalks, streets full of vans and gigantic pick-ups and SUVs. High petrol consumption, very low environmental awareness.

First World country with the highest inequality amongst developed countries. Latent poverty and violence. Laws and more laws, rules and more rules, enforcement and more enforcement to try to contain the social tension and inequality. A country where it must be much harder to be poor: have to constantly see others buying and buying and buying and not even have free public healthcare. Mass consumption on each corner, be it of gas, food or clothes. Freedom taken to its limits, which brings individualism and does not give space for the social, the other. There is a lack of social bonding, of social welfare. And I shall say: a society which puts corn into every single food – even rice, ice-cream, chocolate and bread have it. Unbelievable!

It is a country with an incredible beautiful nature and I will definitely come back to enjoy the nature, travel with my parents (who btw love travelling there) and spend time with my American friends, who I absolutely love. It is actually interesting that my friends are almost the antithesis of all I have written above: they are not part of the consumerism culture, they try to live as local and organic as possible, they speak Spanish, they care about the other and two of them truly believe in the welfare state, which for Americans I guess it is not that common.

In any case there is New York, where there is a bit of everything and everyone. Cosmopolitan city with the hugest diversity in the world. The presence of the other brings that energy so necessary to the American society.

USA: a country of incredibly beautiful nature

Grand Canyon NP

Petrified Forest NP

Bryce Canyon NP

Monument Valley

Canyon de Chelly NM

Mesa Verde NP

It is all about rules and laws in the USA

There is an island in Vietnam called Cat Ba...

Known for its beautiful and secluded beaches... Here is what you find after the 4pm. Just before the sun sets and locals literally invade the nearest two beaches to Cat Ba town. I wish Martin Parr would come here and take a few shots.

Markets and more markets

Bac Ha market and Cat Ba Town market are the two most authentic markets I have visited in Vietnam. No tourists, just locals buying what they need and going on and about their lives.

Green rice fields, Bac Ha, Vietnam du Nord

Across the mountains of North Vietnam, indigenous populations – authentic and in great number – plant rice, and more rice, and more rice in perfect symmetry. Rice fields are lush and many Vietnamese rely on these fertile plantations to earn their living, and most importantly, to get their daily food.

Everyone is asleep

On a train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, Northern Vietnam, everyone slept, everywhere: on the bench, on the floor, standing, in the toilet, by the door. People slept alone, in groups, with their babies or water bottles. We were with Vietnamese people on the hard seat wagon, and I could not prevent myself from taking this shots, which make me laugh each time I look at them.

Motorbikes are everywhere in Vietnam

1, 2, 3, 50, 100, 2.000, 5.000, thousands, millions. On each street, sidewalk, corner, avenue, road. On each village, town and city. All over Vietnam, be it on the beach, in the mountain, inside or outside the rivers. Motorbikes are everywhere and take up to 6 people on board.

Life in Vietnam is set by the pace of the motorbikes. The motorbike is used as a seat to date. It is used as a table when it comes the time to eat. It is a means of transportation for everything: clothes, tables, chickens, cupboards, bicycles, whatever. Everyone has one, everyone wants one, everyone rides a motorbike: women, elders, children.