During march I did a 4-weeks-trip to turkey and syria with a friend (and illustrator-collegue) Helmut in his Toyota Landcruiser. Planned as trip to paint and draw - which we didnt at all, for all the overwhelming sights, landscapes and adventures that kept us busy. Its been 9000 km - not much for americans, I know ;) – but it was too a journey back in 14.000 years of human cultures (Hittites, Hellenics, Paläo- & neolithics, early christianity & islam, etc.). That trip changed my mind: not only about "near east folks" and international media (the reputation of latter fell to ground zero), it made me think a new way about my life, my freedom, my art and business.