Happy Holidays everyone. After eating and drinking for a week straight I am now absolutely exhausted and need a break. Coming back to Berlin on tuesday and planning to do a kind of yearbook like last year. I hope I can make it!

Dressed in fifteen layers of clothes I dared to go outside today to take some pictures of the ice-cold magic happening outside. My big toes are still sore!















All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

My interview on sunday went quite well and now that I have it on paper, I might as well spread the word: Starting in march 2010, I will be a master student of Arno Fischer at Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie und Gestaltung in Berlin.

Arno Fischer is one of the greatest photographers of his generation from the former East Berlin. Visit his >>website<<.

Haven't packed yet, but going to Zurich in three hours to visit my lovely sister for the weekend.

The camera will be burning and I still have a million Macedonia pictures to come, so stay with me. Until then, enjoy Zurich 2006 on screen.





All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

I got invited to the interview for Arno Fischer's master class at Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie und Gestaltung.

Now I need to pick photos for the portfolio. Can you help me, please?

The highest and most picturesque village in Macedonia is Krushevo. We went here for two days and at first, we were sceptically welcomed, butat last these people were very kind, hospitable and open minded. I got a marriage proposal and the most beautiful colors and fog I have ever seen in a real life, non-staged setting.



























All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

I will be in Freiburg a good portion of this week for a job. Since I don't know if I will have wireless in the 110 year old house where I'm staying, I don't know about updating. But stay tuned for more Macedonia pictures coming by the end of the week.

Ever wondered how the fish comes to your plate? This is how. (Not for weak stomachs!)










All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

Staying in Macedonia's "Las Vegas" Gevgelija, I got kind of bored of rich men spending their money at the roulette table. So I got Ilija, the wonderful driver the hotel gave me, his great English skills ("STOP!", "GO!"), his great car and his great suit to drive me to nearby Lake Dojran right by the Greek border. Together we had a wonderful trip and great roles in the didactic play of miscommunication.

Ilija organized me a fantastic boat-ride with a beautiful melancholic fisherman and showed me all around. And he actually stopped when I yelled. Whatever I yelled anyway. Blagodaram, Ilija. What a great man, what a great car, what a great suit, what a great day.




























All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

One of the highlights of our trip was the helicopter flight all over Macedonia's heaven. Having some of the world best pilots on board, it was a scary but fun high-ride like a never-ending rollercoaster. Enjoy the views from above.











All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

To start my photographic diary about travelling through the breathtaking country of Macedonia, I decided to introduce you to Zrze. In Southern Macedonia, at the peak of a fertile and beautiful valley surrounded by snow-peaked mountains, after driving a pretty bumpy road (bumpy underexagerates it by far, I guess) you will reach a small village, raising up against a rock cliff.

Staying here was maybe the most impressive experience in Macedonia. People in Zrze are poor in economical matters, but the richest from the heart that I have ever met. "Crawling around in the farmsteads" as the director used to call it, I found great hospitality and the most amazing and truest smiles.





























All photos: Carolin Weinkopf