Rome, the Eternal City, where I was born and raised until I was about 17 years old. That’s when I embarked on my journey around the world. This series of photos captures the neighborhood I grew up in, Monteverde. The iconic buildings at the top of the series were constructed by Mussolini in the 1930s and have become a backdrop for numerous movies. These projects provided ample space for us kids to roam and learn from the street’s rules. Interestingly, Pier Paolo Pasolini’s book “Boys” was inspired by the adventures of a group of kids from Via Di Donna Olimpia, where the “Skyscrapers” building is located. I’ll take you on a walk around the local farmers market, where my grandfather used to take me shopping every day. Many of the people working there still remember him and me as a little kid holding his enormous hands and sniffing fresh vegetables and fruits. The remaining photos were taken during the Women’s march through the heart of the city.

Alex Elena