Weeks ago (feels like months...), mini-me and I packed our stuff for a teeny tiny trip to England's Ivy League University of Oxford to visit my dear friend Lily, to be a judge at St. Peter's college's photo competition and to give a talk on my photography to the students focusing on the aspect of "dignity" in my work.

I felt so honored to be invited and was yet so nervous when finally going. I had expected to meet a handfull of bored, pimpled students yawning while I'd be talking and then was completely blown away by a small, yet packed room of smart-ass, inspiring, incredibly eager and interested people (not only students), grilling me with great questions.

As the talk had been shifted to the day I arrived, I had the next full day to stroll around, to shop and to suck up the beauty of Oxford, just interrupted by two lovely interviews for Oxford's student press. It was sunny and beautiful out and walking around felt so good, I felt like a first year student at Harry Potter's school for magic - Hogwarts (carrying a horcrux, ääääh, baby). Though I had to realize that taking photos with a proper camera isn't exactly easy when carrying a baby in a carrier on your chest (sorry Anton for bumping into your head with the SLR a few times...). That's when I found the iPhone to be much more convenient when not having assistance.

There's a chance I'll return later this year for a photography workshop. Thank you Oxford, for pumping up my job confidence a bit and being so incredibly welcoming to me and my baby.

(Ok, let's just forget about the >>end<< of my trip now, forever!)

































All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

My grandfather was one of these people who would almost never appear in videos or photos, because he was always the one taking them. Looking at a long history of family captured, one could think he'd not been part of it - he's just never visible.

These days I feel like my grandfather. While I've been documenting life through my eyes for quite a while, there's very rarely a picture of me in the scene. Part of the reason is, obviously, I hate being photographed and I am unnatural in front of cameras. The other reason might be that, when on the run, everyone just counts on me to capture it all. Plus, I take documentary photos but almost never photograph the process of travelling itself, it's just not as striking for me.

In India, our friend and neighbour Rosie travelled along with us, and hey, besides lovely company and a helping hand with mini-me (and intense English lessons for him all day/every day), she also did this: she captured us as a family with her camera. And because that's so rare, it's so special. Thank you, Rosie!







All Photos: Rosie Unteregelsbacher

We're back from India and recovering from the long journey back. We had a wonderful but not all so relaxing trip (we just attract chaos, and we like it). It's the first time in months that I have taken a trillion photos, so I'll need some time for review and editing before posting and telling stories.

Just this: We've raised a pro traveller here in only 5 1/2 months. I'm so proud of my little (big) chubby baby.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

When I first found out I was pregnant (and that wasn't planned!) my first thought was: Oh my god, I'll have to cancel all my trips. Well, I didn't cancel all of them (not Istanbul, not Macedonia, nor Israel, nor Spain), but at least Abu Dhabi in October had to be shifted to another time. In March next year, I will take N. and mini-me with me on a job to India, that will most probably be extended to an adventure lasting a few days longer. You have no idea how excited we are! I can't wait.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

(This is Nepal, but at least this photo was taken close to the border to India.)

Berlin has decided to become a pressure cooker. I am back on my feet again, but now N. is knocked out by the weather. In the course of heat and sweat, I want to share my favourite picture from Barcelona. I wish Berlin was by the sea. Or at least that there was a pool in my courtyard (or a bathtub in my apartment...). *


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

As soon as I settled in Frankfurt, my body decided to take a break and get super sick. I'm already on the way to get better, but left with a running nose and a sad heart. Wish I could have seen and done more over there. This is what remains.











All photos: Carolin Weinkopf via iPhone

[iPhonography]

Walked for hours before my legs suddenly said STOP and Nic had to collect me by car somewhere in the middle of the city.







All photos: Carolin Weinkopf via iPhone

[iPhonography]

Photo: Carolin Weinkopf via iPhone

Deep down, I've had a strong desire to leave and to go places all my life. Being on the run makes me happy, and taking longer than planned rarely stresses but rather inspires me.

I've actually always dreamed of being on an overbooked flight to jump up and leave the plane and get a later one. (Still waiting.)

Today I took a long train ride through stormy weather, heavy rain fall and some sun light. I changed trains, stood in hallways, pressed my nosetip against the glass and painted ornaments on the foggy windows. I was picked up by a handsome boy in a red Volvo. I'm in Frankfurt and couldn't be happier.

[iPhonography] [Travel]

I'm pretty much a Berliner (by choice) down my throat and could never imagine living anywhere else in Germany (what a cliché, I know, but it's true). One of the last cities I ever considered to live at or even like is this one: Frankfurt. Ugh.

Fortune damned (or blessed?) my boyfriend to get a job there for this summer just a few days after we were set into knowledge of mini-me's existence in my womb (back then, the tiny existence of a grape). So I'll be damned (or blessed?) to go there a few times in the next months.

This week I took a heart (and a job to do there) and went to Frankfurt by train. It was an uncomfortable (Germans are not the kind very likely to offer a pregnant woman a seat and I was too undecided to make a reservation because I wasn't sure which train I'd catch) but beautiful trainride along areas of Germany I wasn't quite familiar with (still need to do that damn Tour D'Allemagne sometime). Arriving in Frankfurt I was actually impressed by the only real German city skyline and the numerous men in suits (not hot, but very photogenic I say).

During my few days in Frankfurt I fell in love a bit. Not that I'd ever move here or actually really like it, but for a little visit, I'm always in. My boyfriend's roommates pampered me with food and conversation, I got to take a nice, hot bath every morning and really, really loved the city centre for random street photography. Frankfurt, I'll be back.




























All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

After I collected my dad, my sister and a rental car at Tel Aviv airport, I showed them my hotspots in the city, we had smoothies and Shawarma in Old Jaffa at dusk and then took off to Jerusalem. It took us ages to find that damn hotel, who would have known that all of Jerusalem's streets are one-way and that maps don't help? Anyway, we were the first guests in a freshly renovated room at Jerusalem Inn (so fresh, indeed, we neither had a mirror, nor anything to put any clothes on...).

So, during the next two days, I explored Jerusalem - and have to say it wasn't really my place to be. I found the architecture to be super boring compared to Tel Aviv and walking and strolling aimlessly around the city was really only half the fun. All the religious sides didn't really strike me due to my lack of religious passion I have to admit. The masses of tourists scared me to death and the "nice" yet quite agressive sale's attitude of the people on the markets and souks reminded me of my worst days in Morocco last year.








In the Old Town of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem's highlights were probably the little secret insider tour that a friend of a friend gave me in the old city (not due to what he actually showed me, but the amazing stories he knew to tell along...), the Western Wall, actually impressing, though I found the forced seperation between women and men quite irritating, and the pasta party held by the marathon organizers the night before my dad and sister ran the half marathon over the countless hills of Jerusalem. They served us all kinds of pasta and rice, with all kinds of desserts and teas and coffees and juices. I really enjoyed :).









At the Western Wall.







Strolling around Jerusalem during the Marathon.

I was actually most excited when we finally wrapped our stuff and left East, observing a crazy high, concrete wall on the side of the street, entering the Westbank towards the Dead Sea and leaving it again for the Israeli shore. We had a blast getting soaked in mudd and floating around like crazy people, though I have to say, the Israeli beach we went to was only half the fun of Khalia Beach in the West Bank where I had been earlier, by myself.





A big, scary wall. East Jerusalem.





Posing in the desert.




By and in the Dead Sea.

We had delicious food in Jericho, strolled the market (a great example that people can be good sellers without getting super annoying and following and touching you, yes!) and went North towards the Sea of Galilee, having to cross a very intimidating Israeli check point, getting all of us, our luggage and the rental car completely frisked.





In the Westbank.

The Sea of Galilee, mainly due to Shabbat, was honestly, highly unspectacular, but the drive there must have been one of the most beautiful ever, oscillating between desert, hills, bustling green, seas of blossoms...

That night, we made it back to Tel Aviv, had some amazing Falafel in a sidestreet and I took a long walk with my dad: good conversation passing by beautiful architecture.

It's my dad's birthday today, and this post is just for him ♥.



All photos: Carolin Weinkopf