My hometown ******* in the german state of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) is very beautiful but very boring. This very special place is situated near the Belgian and Dutch borders, between the city of Cologne and whatever comes after it.

And it is so boring that, when I was still living there I had to escape daily. The photos that form the basis of this series were taken during this period, on walks through the village or on my daily way to the bus stop.

In retrospect, it was an irritating ordeal. Walking through the place you know better than anywhere else, and knowing you can’t stand it there. No concerts, no fancy lemonades, not even a train passing through (because there's no station).

Yet amidst all the frustration lies this indescribable stillness that I’ve never felt anywhere else. An unrelenting peace. My NRW-Odyssee.

2022

This place is like cold tea on a late summer evening

Neglected too long, given out of hand to let it cool

But forgotten

How long has it been there?

Maybe 1, 2, 3…

Never mind

Cold tea always tastes good

No, it has to taste good

Or would you get up now and make yourself a warm cup of tea?

Especially if you don't know what warm tea tastes like anymore

This place is like cold tea on a late summer evening

Sometimes quite refreshing