Six weeks ago I returned from my most intense journey so far. Right now, I'm reviewing the photos from a physical and emotional distance (and: whithout color). This is a fraction of what I've found so far.




















All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

[Photography] [Nepal] [Black and White] [Travel]

When riding our >>motorbike<< through Nepal back in April, riding a rough road from Kathmandu to Dulikhel after the rain, we tried to cross a big puddle, got stuck on a big rock and fell in the mudd. After some (tiny drops) of blood, a few tears and loud laughter from the locals, this lady carrying a baby appeared above us in the woods (and distracted me from the pain in my knee).


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

My camera and lense were covered in fresh, brown, soft mudd, but I still love this picture.

[Photography] [Nepal]

Got up super early, had trouble to find a cab, had to pay more because of the fuel shortage, rode through the city, almost cried, made it to the airport on time, had three people jumping on me and carrying my luggage, met some strangers at the airport, had my last chiya in the waiting hall, bought some chocolate, got searched three times in a row, got a window seat by accident, saw the Himalaya floating in the clowds, almost cried, almost missed my connecting flight in Dheli because of delay and getting searched three times again, ran, made it, met some strangers on the plane, landed on time and got picked up by my loved ones.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

[Photography] [Travel] [Himalaya]

Time is flying, the days are getting shorter and I guess I'll have to pack eventually.

I hate to go.









All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

[Photography] [Travel] [Nepal]

This weekend, finally, we got a motorbike and left the valley on our own. We took the old road to Dulikhel (more mudd than road, actually...), spent a night with panorama view on the Himalayas, took a bath in hot springs, almost got shot at the Tibetan border, slept in a luxurious tent in the jungle and then took the quick route back.

It was breathtaking and painful (has anyone sat on a motorbike for three days? I'm sore!). Hard to believe this will have been my last trip out of the smog before I leave next saturday.




















All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

[Photography] [Travel] [Nepal]

What really impresses me most in Nepal are the women.















All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

[Photography] [Women] [Nepal]

After a beautiful, hot, exhausting drive through mountains, terrai and jungle, we finally arrived in Nepal's tea paradise, also known as the district of Ilam - high up in the mountains, with countless hills, lovely views, friendly people and all of this dipped in the reflection of a green to blueish velvet carpet called tea.






















All photos: Carolin Weinkopf


[Photography] [tea] [Documentary] [Nepal]

I'm finally on the go again! The ten hour roadtrip exhausted me, but arriving in the mindblowing setting of Nepal's tea capital Ilam was really worth the trip, along with many local deliciacies I tried in the sideways and all these little snapshots from the road.









All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

[Photography] [Documentary] [Travel] [Nepal]

I'm leaving Patan tomorrow for a fieldtrip to the tea farms in the far east of Nepal. I'll be back thursday with tons of photos. Here are some snapshots from the city itself.






All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

[Photography] [Kathmandu] [Nepal]

My online situation in Nepal in declining, this is the first time in four days a website actually loaded to the end before the connection broke off.

We found an apartment and will be moving in next week. It's a lovely place close to Nicolas' office, shared with a Nepali family and some international girls. We have our own bathroom, power all day long and a rooftop terrace right next to the room. And all that for a very good price.

This week I spent most of my time at Kumbeschwar Technical School taking pictures of the people and the production. Yesterday we went out of the city to visit some of the knitters doing the work at home instead of the school.

I met some very impressing young and old ladies, got treated with tea, crackers and some homemade liquor getting me drunk out of my mind after a single sip. We drove through beautiful villages in the middle of bright green fields. Next week I will try to get a bike and go there again.










All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

[Photography] [Fair Trade] [Nepal]