A walk to remember in Město Pražské...The town of Prague!

"Krásné staré město Praha,
zamiloval jsem se do chůze na každé ulici tvé, se sluncem odrážejícím se od řeky, Byla to nezapomenutelná procházka přes most, Inspirace z vánku přicházejícího až z hradu, Pro člověka , přírodu a strukturu, Tebe chválím mezi všemi městy, když Tě přícházím navštívit den po dni... "

"Oh beautiful old town of Prague, 

I fell in Love walking on every street of yours,

With the sun reflecting over the river,

It was a walk over a bridge to remember, 

An inspiration from the breeze coming all the way up from the castle, 

For all the walls of separation was dismantle,

You are a place of admiration,

For Man, Nature and Structure,

To you I praise among the Cities,

While I come to visit you day after day..."

Muzammil

(Photography by Muzammil)

The feeling of walking in that beautiful city gave me a feeling that the days went back to the 1700s, with the old cars that take the tourist for a tour around the old town. Every building is in the antique style, the road made up of stones and the beautiful statues all over the city.

"You allowed me to travel,
I'm going from Country to Country,

I'll go to another shore,

find another a better city,

Whatever I try to do is fated to turn wrong, 

And my heart lies buried as though it were something dead, 

Until I reach this place, 

And I understood that not everything deserve to be appreciate!"

Muzammil

(Photographed by Muzammil)

I made my way to Charles bridge that crossed the Vltava River...Such a mystical place, with a beautiful reflection of the sun over the water and the statues. 

(Photography by Muzammil)

Around the ninth hour, Jesus shouted in a Loud voice saying, 

"Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?"

"My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?"

(Photography by Muzammil)

There was so much to see, I tried to capture these moments in my pictures that I can share with you. It was  overall an experience of well being when I came across a dog on the street. Instead of capturing the world looking at the dog, I tried to capture the dog looking at the world.

(Photography by Muzammil)

And I took this picture from Charles Bridge, beautiful view of the colorful old buildings.

(Photography by Muzammil)

I made my way down to the Jewish Cemetery, Novy Zidovsky Hrbitov Vinhradska, this one another mesmerizing place. I went there during autumn season, I couldn't imagine the beautiful colors of the leaves. I'll let you dream with that beautiful picture I made there.

(photography by Muzammil)

And these were a few of the beautiful pictures I took in the Old Town of Prague. This place kept me dreaming for days, I got so attracted to the old structures and the purity of the city as I'm a big fan of oldies and Vintage. Prague is one of the places where we can still feel like living in the old style in the New Generation.

"It is a prayer I make for the dead, 

While it is a blessing for the living, 

We all got a chance to sing and dance in this lifetime, 

I want to sing a song not for anyone, 

But a song that my body will sing for my soul,

I want a memory to carry forever with me after I will pass away,

A memory that I once got an opportunity to experience Birth and Death, 

A memory that I once experienced Good and Bad times in this world, 

A memory that I once lived in a physical body,

Where the people of that place named it,

Muzammil...."

Teachings of Buddha in Vietnam...

"If the traveler cannot find a Master or a friend to go with him,

Let him travel alone,

Rather than with a fool for company...!'

(Buddha)

The local lady told us to sit in the middle of the boat and not to hold the side part, we will hit the other boats on the way - that was how our journey started, on a boat trip! She looked tiny but strong though, she did not stop oaring for almost thirty minutes. Such a peaceful place, the only thing I could hear around me were the wooden boats hitting each other along the small canals under the green trees, like she told us. Old and young, men and women, they were all around me in their tiny wooden boats that cannot carry more than six people, it should have a good balance. I thought I was standing in the middle of a Vietnamese movie, where I could see no polluting vehicles, so pure and calm area in between the islands.

(Photographed by Muzammil)

Talking about peace of mind, on our way to the canals we stopped by a Buddhist temple. It is one of the oldest temple in that area. I took some pictures worth sharing. Some moments when I was walking in this quiet place, I could feel my mind blew away in the silence, is that what they called 'lost in a trance?'

(Photographed by Muzammil)

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it,

Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many,

Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in your religious books,

Do not believe in anything merely on the authorities of your teachers and elders,

Do not believe in tradition because they have been handed down for many generations,

But after observation and analysis, after you find anything that agrees with reason and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all,

Then accept it and live up to it..."

Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

(Photographed by Muzammil)

"Pain is inevitable, Suffering is optional..."

(The Buddha)

(Photographed by Muzammil)

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,

and life of that candle will not be shortened,

the same way Happiness never decreases when being shared..."

(Buddha)

These teachings brought me in a spiritual trance that is related to my daily life! This place was different, it was silent, peaceful, where I could detach myself from this materialistic world for a few minutes. A place where I could remember the teachings of Buddha. And I took you with me in the sayings of Buddha for a few minutes, let's get back to Vietnam.

(Photographed by Muzammil)

If poems form part of spirituality, the beautiful words from a song can take you far away in memories as well. And as long as a memory makes you smile, you are not far from God because a smile is part of Faith! These local ladies brought a joyful atmosphere with some traditional songs and music. They prepared some nice jasmine tea and brought us some fresh local fruits, with their beautiful long dresses and fine voices, we breathed the positive energy from this pure place. 

(Photographed by Muzammil)

We continued the way to the third Island. Actually the locals gave different names to the Islands, Turtle (represents Long Life), Dragon (Power) and Phoenix (Symbol of a new beginning). The third island is well recognized for the tasty coconut and we got a chance to see them preparing coconut candy. Let me show you one of the best pictures I took at this place.

(Photographed by Muzammil)

I sat down for a few minutes, observed this little girl. She was so focused in her job and her little fingers were arranging candies in the box. What could possibly be on her mind? A bright future? Could she be thinking of the outside world? A world of great opportunities? But definitely she was born in a land where people will always gather to get some moments of peace in their life.

(Photographed by Muzammil)

As we crossed the river, the largest river three kilometers wide but so long that it flows all the way to Thailand, we came across these floating houses that lie along the bank of the river. This was a completely different experience, these houses with bedrooms and kitchen floating on the river, something that I never saw before. Every part of the world is holding some unique experience, as long as the inhabitants are happy its a pleasure to share it to the rest of the world.

(Photographed by Muzammil)

And that was my journey in Vietnam, under the green trees in the wild brown colored river and the tiny canals. They say the river is not dirty, the fact that it comes from a long distance all the way from the mountains, they believe its carrying silk and make the place in Vietnam so rich in soil and water. That is why in this area all the trees and coconut are so green and healthy. Such a beautiful day in that place, really worth sharing. I hope you felt the energy I absorbed from this country through my pictures and the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha). 

"And through the canals under the huge green trees, we made our way back to reality..."

Muzammil

We call it Africa, They call it Home...

"If Life is a balance, then the more higher we climb, the lighter we get! And those who do not climb, are always the heavier ones...! Are we talking about weight or feelings, poverty or wealth?"

During my journey in Africa, I came across this lucky day where I got a chance to visit Uganda. I did not take many pictures, but the few ones I got, will surely give you the positive vibes I felt among the locals. After all it is Africa, all I expected when I reach there were everything I heard and watch on documentaries, Mosquitoes, Malaria and that I had to be careful about Hygiene - But it was completely the opposite, Uganda was one of the most hygienic State I had been in this continent so far.

(Photographed by Muzammil)

"Whether it is Big or Small,
Peace of Mind goes beyond your thought,

 when there is a place in a corner of this world that belongs to you..."

(Photographed by Muzammil)

I met these girls on my way to Victoria Lake, they reminded me of my childhood friends, always together so many things to share and lie about! They were wearing torn clothes and hugged until they reach the lake. This place looks different in the picture, but it was quite animated, lots of housewives selling vegetables, some of them were making grilled corns while others were peeling vegetables in their garden for dinner. 

(Photographed by Muzammil)

"We are all born with different skills,
But sometimes we get so busy admiring the talent of others,
And we forgot that we are also gifted..."

He was selling some freshly roasted peanuts,  if you could see that basket, well arranged and he would never touch it, walked for kilometers, until he had a customer. These people might look dangerous for some among you, but the moments I shared with them, they changed the weird dangerous concept I had about Africans - of course there are places to avoid like in every country!

(Photographed by Muzammil)

"Do you still remember these little games we used to play during our childhood?

At that time, everything that looks interesting would made our day,

 and it will be the greatest discovery among our friends!"

(Photographed by Muzammil)

I reached the beautiful and biggest lake in Africa, Victoria Lake. An amazing view of kids playing around, local women doing laundry on the big stones while local men were busy fishing, playing cards, washing cars and big gathering of teens. There was a big positive vibes around, with the huge birds I never saw before sitting by the trees. 

(Photographed by Muzammil)

There are some experiences that come across our way during our lifetime, that we cannot share with others! I'm sure you know what I am talking about. Some days that we saw and felt, even if we say it to people around us, they won't feel the energy we felt on the spot, while others might think we are just showing off! This was one of the day I spent with these people at this beautiful place, where I can never forget. 

(Photographed by Muzammil)

These kids were amazing, in the beginning they were shy but after I approached them and talk to them, they started posing for me. I can say they are very photogenic and really good models - After all, once people get to know Muzammil, nobody refuse to take a picture with me ! (Showing off) 

(Photographed by Muzammil)

And that was my journey in that beautiful and clean city. The experiences they shared with me, I tried to capture some moments and hopefully you enjoy them. On the way back, I was thinking about the games they make with woods, running around after the wheels, the natural foods they are eating from their garden they help their parents to crop and what do they really think about the kids living on the other side of the world! Those kids who are raised in a closed building, sitting down all day at school and eating chemical foods everyday! I wonder who should come in need for the world?  

We always work hard to reach our goal, to reach the highest peak but then we forgot our deep personality down there where we started. 

"Life is a balance of faith,

 the more trustworthy and deep our heart is,

 the less higher we climb!

 The world needs only one of  the rich hearted people to lift up the arrogant ones!"

Muzammil

In the middle of nowhere, I found everything...

During my journey in this world, I came across a beautiful day that will be part of my experience as long as I live. In February 2012, I visited Dhaka, Bangladesh. I tried to capture every moment the way I was seeing things around me to keep them alive during my whole lifetime. I heard about a saying once, 'I am what we are!' I couldn't understand the proper meaning until I reach that country and the kids on the streets explained it to me. Then, I realized how beautiful Life can be, in the middle of nowhere we can find everything.

My journey started on the famous tricycle (Riksha), they drive in every corner of the city like the colorful ants and often stop to say 'Hi' to their friends or for a nice tea. These people are not so muscular, if only you could see how fast these legs were going up and down, sometimes carrying more than 3 people.

(Photography by Muzammil)

"On your Tricycle,

Everyday, it's the same Cycle,

It's the way to make your Live

Because you want to Survive..."

(Photography by Muzammil)

I didn't have much time to explore other places, but the few hours I got to walk around this area was enough to write a nice book. Few people understand the feeling of others, but these people they don't have comfort but still they accept the way it is, they are making a happy life out of nothing.

(Photography by Muzammil)

Everybody was so friendly and welcoming. I reached the market, a nice place to pop in for some fresh fruits, vegetables, ready made rice, hot colorful curries and fresh fried baked breads from the hot pan half filled with oil. When I went out through the side door, I was surprised to see the textile area where people were working in the open air area on their sewing machines. It reminded me of the people who are always complaining of lack of comfort in their office. Over there, everybody was happy joking around and that's how they are getting their bread everyday - with whom can they complain anyway!

(Photography By Muzammil)

"Every Man is born with a skill, 

Most of them get so busy admiring others,

They forget about their own talents, 

While others don't have the opportunity to prove it to the world,

But only a few make it to their goals, 

Whether it was  a big dream or a small one,

With our head high in the sky,

We will walk proudly, 

As long as we are not stealing anyone..."

(Photography by Muzammil)

I stopped at in a corner of the street, enjoyed a nice cup of tea with the locals. I saw a very old man sitting by himself, enjoying a deep fried bread cake. With every bite, he was smiling. Unfortunately, I couldn't communicate with, he couldn't understand English Language. But one of the guy asked him for me, why was he smiling with the food?

'I have been working so hard all my life so that someday when I sit down I can enjoy nice foods and today I'm happy, whether it's a small piece of bread or a big plate of rice, I have something to fill my stomach...When we are the owner nobody can snatch it from us!'

(Photography by Muzammil)

I was surprised when I got to know that some of these people never got an opportunity to have their picture shot. When i took their pictures, they were so happy to look at themselves they called their friends and showed them the camera. Sometimes, we don't take time to understand people, we simply judge them badly. These non-educated people never mean that they cannot be part of this world. If only we could learn from them, they are experienced more than we are. I felt lucky to get the opportunity to walk among them for a day in my life.

(Photography by Muzammil)

I crossed the river with a water taxi with the ladies to go on the other side of the city. It was even worst, the little metal and wooden houses were so closed to each other. As I walked among the hot metal sheets, I had to move the hanging dry clothes to find my way where the hen, cats and dogs were living in harmony. I could hear the sound of the grinding stones, from the houses, they were grinding rice. Some places I could smell the nice curries, where the little boy was being fed by his mother's hand.

(Photography by Muzammil)

This place was amazing, the people were welcoming - normally they don't often see foreigners around their house. I could see the pure innocent faces of the lovely little girls, their future was already written, they'll get married at an early age. They were so photogenic, they got nice skin tones, beautiful features, only if somebody would tell them that they are very beautiful, I wonder if they ever got that chance in their life before I told them. 

(Photography by Muzammil)

That was my journey in this beautiful city. I heard there was nothing much to do there, only when I arrived I noticed that it was true, because there is no famous brand shopping mall, it is a poor city. There is air conditioned taxi, only riksha every where and the foods don't look clean. But, if only they would give some attention to the locals, talk to them and walk among them, then they could have felt the string positive energy flowing in these people veins. I walked among them and I felt blessed. 

I can never forget that little boy who followed me all the way, when i bought him some cakes, he shared everything with his little friends, he told me he cannot be happy if his friends are not!

"I am what we are..."

Only then I realized that this place is amazing, I had to walk more, explore more, come back with the experience and share it to the world. I took loads of pictures, I uploaded only a few where I strongly believe you felt the energy that existed in this place. I pray that the blessing of God never leave the heart of these people.

(Photography by Muzammil)

"People complain about their Luxury Life,

You don't have anything, 

But still you are happy with a piece of dry bread,

If the world is rejecting you,

God is in your heart,

Some among us believe in your potentials,

You kept me smiling,

It's not a Bye from me,

I'll surely come back to see you again..."

Muzammil

Oh children of the next generation...

They say emotion and happiness cannot be described, yet they are so strong that sometimes we react in weird way, where we don't care about what people think about us in happy moments.


"Happiness appears in different form, let them fly around us. I welcome sorrow in my life, without sadness, happiness will never arrive...I'm patient, the more I cry, the more ill be happy later! I know I'll be given a chance someday to go to that world where everybody is talking about love." 


Im looking at the sky, reminding me of these kids, every time they see an aircraft over their houses, they wave their hand to say 'bye!'

Surely we all know what I'm talking about. But these kids, they think the passengers can see and waving at them back. Some of them are simply talking to the aircraft itself. While the rest think their family who left the country few days, weeks or years ago are in that aircraft. Life is beautiful, full of happiness when we were a kid - we didn't have any responsibility, no stress, we ruled our thought.

(Photographed by Muzammil in Ghana)

When I'm driving around the old villages, kids run after my car and scream, the rich man is here. It keeps me thinking, what are their expectations from me...yeah, they want some gifts or they want to sit in my lap or they want to sit in the car because they never got an opportunity. The car looks like a toy for them, running after the car will make them happy. They don't care what I'll think about them, running after my car is a game. They were all after my car with different ideas, until they will grow up and realize this man was not rich, I can buy a car as well someday.

And when we grow up, we don't talk to the flying plane anymore, we don't run after that beautiful car anymore, because we gave birth to ego. Then the world looks different...

(Photographed by Muzammil in Bangladesh)

"oh children of the next generation,

Every time you see something that pleases you,

With your little thought you make it work the way you want,

When you talk to the aircraft,

When you dance barefoot on the roads,

When you swim in the dirty river,

When you run after the rich man car,

Sometimes I Think if I should copy you,

But the older you get,

You'll become like me,

Then, will you copy the kids?

The kids of the next generation?"

Muzammil

The Beautiful Butterflies In The Sky...

"Today I'm standing among the crowd like a Caterpillar,
Over my head are flying the butterflies but i cannot see them,
Someday I'll be enclosed in a Cocoon, 
Everybody will think I don't exist anymore, 
But instead, I'll be in a state of metaphor, 
I can't take it anymore,
I will have to leave everything behind, 
With a different personality,
With a different dream,
Ill be come back,
Some among you will try to open the cocoon to look for me, 
They will miss me but I won't be visible anymore in that shell,
While others will be happy that I don't exist anymore,
For them, I was not important, 
They have been using me as long as I could stand on my feet,
Oh my dear people who are close to my heart!
Don't cry over my dead body, 
If somebody is crying, 
Tell him, he will have to join me someday,
And on that day I will be alive again,
Not as a Caterpillar But as a butterfly,
A new butterfly came out from the dead body, 
From the dead body of the Caterpillar,
I'll fly all over the rest, 
No one among them will see me,
While they will be busy taking advantage of each other,
I'll be flying among the beautiful butterflies in the sky..."


Muzammil

The Cave

'I'm a Man born among Man kind,

I make mistake like others,

Give me a chance to prove myself among these cruel people,

For they have eyes to see and Ears to listen,

But neither can they hear anything nor they can see,

I better kill myself and take a different Birth in the same lifetime,

Give birth to a different personality,

Among these cruel people, I cannot take it anymore,

I want a new beginning,

Only then I can realize the beauty of this place, this world,

Innocent beings, Angels,

Where Mankind gave birth to Satan...'

The gentleman made his way to the cave. Its a cave on the mountain, a simple dark cave with an Intention to meet God. He always heard god is an old man with strong voice, an old man who will be accompanied by angels - they will be sparkling like stars, beautiful virgin ladies with wings. Such was his belief that pushed him to the cave. God doesn't appear everywhere, we should be far away from the noise and meditate, then He will come with lots of blessings, so was his thought.

He was enjoying the beautiful landscape, the beautiful view from the valley and saw the beautiful flowers. He sat down for a few seconds and thought,

"Every flowers believe they are beautiful,

they are loved by the bees,

bees that come to visit them so many times everyday,

And bees look at the flowers not by its beauty,

for they need to smell and taste every flowers,

to make the more tasty honey for their Queen,

External beauty is just an illusion, An attraction for some times,

But the day we smell internal beauty,
Our souls shall be united forever..."

When he reached the cave, He sat down for days and nights, meditating. No angels appeared. The space he left in front of him for God, remain an empty space. He could not hear the steps of an old man, the smell of paradise and the sparkling stars. But with patience, he fell in a trance...far away his unconscious explained to him,

"Once a civilization constructed the Greatest Wall in the world,

in order to protect his people from the enemies,

after they completed the Great Wall the only thing they couldn't protect was feelings,

Sometimes it was hot,

and the other day it was rainy,

and the worst, when it started snowing..."

The message was clear for the gentleman, he then realized that God was not an old man to be seen somewhere hidden. He is present in our daily life. He didn't have to cross the valley and climb the wall to see God. He is the energy going through our blood everyday, everytime. No one recognize Him, but He is here among us. He appears from nowhere. That's why the prophets said He is among us, call for Him and He shall appears. But they never said He will appear as an old man. He will appear in different forms. And those who don't believe He is among us, then they shall know where they come from and where they will go someday, but as far as Im concern, I don't know where I come from. And my belief started when I came here, I didn't come alone, I came in a relationship with the global energy, God. Tell them, Believe in Him. If you have a belief He is there for you, nobody will ever end up his life when he is in trouble, but instead the person will kill his idea, Satan, and take a new birth, give birth to a different personality. So, he left the cave, the little dark cave after understanding the message he heard in his trance,

"Even if you build the Greatest Barrier between you and somebody,

If its a relationship written from long time ago,

He doesn't need to climb that wall to reach your heart,

Like the snow appeared from the sky,

crossed the Great Wall and hit the civilization,

so shall he appeared from nowhere and hit your heart..."

Muzammil