When Everyone Said “Don’t Go”
A few days before my flight to Kathmandu, Nepal was in the news. Violent protests. At least 19 people dead. Damages everywhere. My phone kept buzzing with messages: “Are you still going?” “Isn’t it too dangerous?” “Maybe you should cancel?”
I won’t lie – I wondered too. For a moment, I sat with my doubts. But then something became clear: this chance might not come back soon. Life doesn’t wait for the perfect moment. Sometimes you just have to go.
So I went.
The First Smile
When you arrive in a place everyone told you to avoid, you pay attention differently. Your senses are awake. You notice everything.
And what did I notice first in Kathmandu? Not danger. Not chaos.
Faces. Beautiful faces. A smile from a stranger. Eyes that meet yours with curiosity, not suspicion. The warmth of people just living their lives.
This is what mindful photography teaches us – to see what’s actually there, not what we fear might be there.
The Colors That Grabbed My Soul
Oh, the colors!
The warm light at the end of the day painted everything golden. The clothes – reds, oranges, deep purples, bright yellows. The buildings with their fading paint telling stories of time. The faces, each one a different shade of beautiful.
I couldn’t stop shooting. Not because I wanted to collect pictures, but because I wanted to stay in that moment. That’s the magic of mindful photography – your camera becomes a tool to be MORE present, not less.
Why Are People So Beautiful?
Here’s something that hit me hard while walking through Kathmandu’s streets:
People are just… beautiful. All of them. Every single face tells a story. Every expression holds something precious.
So why do we spend so much time judging? Comparing? Reducing others to less than what they are?
I don’t want to judge anymore. Judgment hurts – the person we judge, yes, but also ourselves. It closes our hearts when they could be open.
When I look through my lens with presence and openness, I can’t help but see beauty. Maybe that’s the real gift of mindful photography.
Chaos That Feels Like Peace
The streets of Kathmandu are alive. Chaotic, some would say. Motorbikes everywhere, vendors calling out, music from shops, the smell of street food mixing with incense.
But when you’re truly present, when you’re not judging or resisting what is – it feels quiet. Pure, even.
The rhythm of life just flows. People going about their day. A grandmother selling vegetables. Kids playing. A man repairing shoes on the sidewalk.
I get a look. I get a smile. Sometimes a nod. These tiny connections fill my heart.
Gratitude: The Feeling That Smiles With Your Whole Body
Walking through Kathmandu, camera in hand, heart wide open – I felt so lucky.
Lucky to be there. Lucky to witness all this beauty. Lucky that I didn’t cancel my trip.
Gratitude washed over me, again and again. And here’s what I realized: gratitude is such a powerful feeling that it makes your whole body smile. Not just your face – your whole body.
I should focus more on gratitude. We all should.
It changes everything. It turns a “dangerous” place into a place of wonder. It turns strangers into beautiful souls. It turns a simple walk into an adventure.
What Mindful Photography Taught Me in Kathmandu
This trip reminded me why I do this. Why I practice mindful photography. Why I share it on Zen Lens Adventure.
When you photograph mindfully, you’re not just taking pictures. You’re:
- Choosing to be present
- Choosing to see beauty
- Choosing gratitude over fear
- Choosing connection over judgment
My camera didn’t capture Kathmandu. It helped me experience it. Feel it. Love it.
And now, looking at these photos, I’m back there again. Feeling that warm light. Seeing those beautiful faces. Smiling with my whole body.
A Final Thought
Everyone asked if I should go to Kathmandu.
Now I ask: how could I not?
Beauty is everywhere, even – especially – in places we’re told to fear. People are good. Life is precious. And the present moment, when we actually show up for it, is full of wonder.
Thank you, Kathmandu, for reminding me.
Thank you for reading, and for being part of this Zen Lens Adventure.
With gratitude…
What about you? Have you ever gone somewhere everyone told you not to? Share in the comments below.
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