This year I caught up with Dharma friends from NGALSO in Italy (located near Lago Maggiore in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola). I had just arrived in UB and they were soon to catch their flight home. Now also in UB, the study group had returned from an expedition to the north-western corner of Mongolia , right up into the Altai Mountains where Russian, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan converge. I took this photograph of the group along with our Mongolian friends and hosts after we had shared a sumptuous restaurant banquet offered by Zava Damdin (b.1976) to celebrate their considerable effort, accomplishments and safe return. For a number of days towards the end of their pilgrimage into the Altai, the group had endured temperatures of -15C and such strong winds! I take my hat off to them, heroes one and all. Seated together in a circle around the Mongolian-style banquet table, we shared animated tales of past adventures along with ideas of what and where to travel next. The last time I visited Albagnano (NGALSO in Italy) was in 2017. Amicizia senza confini, friends without borders. So welcoming, so nice! 3 September 2025. Photograph: C.Pleteshner.