I picked up a book and was leafing through it till I stopped at the chapter for photographers. I called all of them but no one wanted me. So I ended up doing my intern with a pest controller in Berlin which was wicked.

As a 14 year old shy girl I sat next big guys with tatoos in a big transporter crusing through the worst parts of Berlin while listening to techno and rock collecting dead rats from the sewage system and chasing ants and wasps. Bam. How cool was that.

However, I gave up on the idea to be a photographer because I thought I am not creative enough.

Instead I became an environmental scientist. Not really but I was on a good way to it. I studied for 8 years Geography and Land and Water Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics. I know, it is a stupid long name, right? Anyway. I did my research projects in Malaysia and Brazil and had the chance to do a phd.

I stopped investing in my scientific carreer, though.

Why?

Because it was not what I wanted. It was what my dad wanted.

Speaking of my dad. Due to him, I travelled the world: I've been to 40 different countries. Wow. I only now realise how much I've seen in my 36 years being on this planet. While travelling as child, teenager and student, I grew an interest for the diversity of our earth and cultures which is why I studied Geography.

Yes, I also wanted to change the world. I still want to. However, in a different way. Not as scientist. No one really enjoys reading scientific articles. They don't touch the heart. They don't drive people to change their ways of living. They don't inspire. They end up in a book shelf getting dusty and being forgotten.

However, pictures hang on a wall, are being seen and create a feeling.

Despite my inability to believe in myself, I took pictures during my travels and my time abroad with whatever camera I had. I also took part in several photography workshops but stopped again because I thought everyone else is better.

I never really stopped taking pictures, though, because I had so many opportunities and I just wanted to capture what I see.

Of course I wanted to take pictures of the homeless Aborigines, the indigenous people in Malaysia who were demonstrating for their land rights, the hard working Brazilians who collected soil samples for international researchers and mine workers in Bolivia.

I learned basic Bahasa Malay, Portuguese and Dari, one language spoken in Afghanistan, to be able to ask people if I would be allowed to take a picture.

I never had the chance to travel or study in Afghanistan. Not only because my language skills were rather poorly. However, being able to read and speak Dari helped when I spent some time in Iran. At least I could ask for permission to take pictures, order water and ask for directions.

How did I end up being in Iran?

I got pregnant. And no, the dad wasn't from Iran as you might have thought.

I couldn't imagine being a staying-home-mum. No offense to all mums who do this. You, ladies, are amazing and do the hardest job in the world. I did it too, however, on the road. I, my partner and my first born, we spent our parental leave in a van travelling through 13 countries including Iran for a year. It was the time when I truly understood what slow travelling means.

It was absolutely beautiful. I felt free and like a superhero. After travelling for a year, I returned to Germany, looked after my child and got pregnant with my daugther while covid was happening. I and my partner purchased a second hand Fiat Ducato which had only been used as transporter. I and my partner transformed it into a camper van with windows, bed, kitchen, sink, running water, solar panels etc. And, yes, we went on a trip again. This time with two kids. We ended up in Italy and Portugal where we made the decision to move to Cyprus.

I never wanted to live in Germany my entire life anyway.

I came to Cyprus 3,5 years ago. And since that lots has changed.

One out of many changes: I live my passion. I am a photographer and artist.