For the third time, Colombian creative and photographer Camila Berrio found herself embarking on a mission under the generous wing of GIZ Germany – a program that supports professionals from third-world countries who studied in Germany.
Her previous projects had taken her deep into the Colombian jungle and even to a small island, where she worked with Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, teaching photography and creating audiovisual content for NGOs protecting local culture and the environment.
This time, her compass pointed east – to the misty mountains of northern Vietnam.
I swapped the Amazon for rice terraces, but the heart of the mission stayed the same: storytelling with purpose.
For two and a half months, she collaborated with Green Local Travel, a community-based tourism organization in Sapa. Her role involved leading photography workshops and developing a brand new website for the organization, telling the stories of the region and its people.
Letting go
In terms of planning for the trip? “Let’s just say… I googled ‘what to pack for Sapa’ more times than I care to admit.”
Being her first time in Asia, she leaned on trust – and the invaluable guidance of Ms. Ha, the woman behind Green Local Travel. “I was delightfully lost at first, but sometimes, you just have to trust. The moment I let go of needing to control every detail, the trip took shape naturally.”
A common language without words
Challenges were, of course, part of the journey – language being the biggest. “I had big plans, deep thoughts to share…” she recalls.
“At times, I felt like I was missing meaningful connections. Until I realized I had to change my approach.” Instead of relying on words, Camila chose to immerse herself. She started joining the local guides (all from ethnic minority groups) on their six-hour hikes through the mountains. “It was humbling, and I had to slow down, breathe, and match their rhythm.”
We didn’t need words – we had landscapes, muddy trails, shared meals, and sore legs. Nature became our common language, and the connection deepened.
A life-changing experience
The experience turned out to be life-changing for Camila. Surrounded by people deeply connected to the land, she realized that, indeed, people closer to nature often carry a calmer spirit. “There’s wisdom in the mountains,” she says. “And I felt incredibly small – in the best way.”
Every moment reminded me that this Earth has much to teach us, if we’re willing to listen (and get a bit muddy in the process).
Presence, community, creativity
The main highlight of Camila’s journey was the people. “Coming from a big city and now living in Berlin, I tend to rush, to act solo. But in Sapa, life was collective. We ate together, looked each other in the eye, and lived fully in the moment.”
That way of life – rooted in presence and connection – was the most powerful lesson she brought home.
It was a beautiful reminder that the “now” is all we really have.
And it wasn’t just her perspective that shifted – her creativity did too. “I got my creative spark back,” she said. “And my confidence, though that took some convincing.”
Every trek came with doubts. Will I make it? What if I fall?
But time and again, she did make it.
“Something inside pushed me. The desire to capture a portrait, the urgency of the light, the beauty of this land – that quiet determination turned out to be stronger than my doubts.”
Lessons from the mountains
“I wish everyone could visit a place like Sapa. Not just for the views, but for the stillness it brings. Hiking with the local guides felt like therapy. They don’t just teach you about plants or trails – they show you another way of life. One where joy is simple, worries shrink, and your overthinking mind finally shuts up… at least for a bit.”
In the end, she says it best: “Thank you to Green Local Travel for reminding me how fleeting life is – and how powerful it is to truly be present.”
About Camila
Camila Berrio is a Colombian photographer and videographer. Above all, she is an artist and storyteller who passionately explores the human experience through her travels and encounters around the world. She is currently based in Berlin, Germany.
Check out her portfolio on Cherrydeck!
We hope you enjoyed reading about this amazing project and pictures by our talented member Camila Berrio.
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