Despite growing up in San Gabriel Valley and living in Los Angeles most of my life, I had never taken the opportunity to visit Descanso Gardens. It was one of the few sites that reopened after the coronavirus pandemic shut down Los Angeles. After two months of limited options and social isolation, I finally had something to look forward to and was excited at the novel idea of being a tourist in my own city.
My husband and I headed out late one Saturday afternoon for our 4 p.m. admission, a time which was deliberately chosen in an effort to shield ourselves from the weekend’s heat wave. The 23 mile drive that would have ordinarily taken a bit over an hour was cut in half due to the lack of traffic on the freeway, one of the few upsides to the pandemic.
On arrival, I quickly realized that I had not allotted enough time to see the grounds. We had a mere hour to whisk through the gardens before they closed for the day. Our first stop was the Japanese Garden which was a miniature version of the gardens we visited during our time in Tokyo. For a brief second, on seeing the iconic red bridge, it felt as if we were back in Ueno Park, walking through the vermillion torii gates at the Hanazonoinari Shrine.
We made our way through the beautiful expansive Rose Garden, passed the fountain
as we headed to Mulberry Pond and then the lake where we came upon some ducks.
Afterwards, we walked through the Camellia Forest. Hearing twigs break underfoot as we walked on the dirt path and listening to the melodic birds singing as we made our way through the forest was calming and nurturing. The tall lush trees shielded us from the heat and the mindless chatter of the outside world. We were cocooned in a safe haven and for once, after months of anxiety, fear and confusion, we felt at peace.
Near the end of our visit we were surprised to see a pair of ducks waddling down one of the paths near the Japanese garden. It made us chuckle seeing how unfettered and unaffected they were by the small crowd gathering around them.
Descanso Gardens was brimming with life and possibilities. For us, it was a restorative place that helped quiet our minds, calmed our nerves and gave us hope that we will heal and grow. In times of stress and uncertainty, I will remember our first outing, the beautiful array of colors in the Rose Garden but as we trudge through this time of uncertainty, I will look to the pair of ducks as the example for how we will get through this together, by not looking back and only looking forward, walking with confidence and courage, not letting anything or anybody get in their way.
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
Many know Chiang Mai as Thailand’s Rose of the North. Just like its namesake, the city has many layers.
The outer layer displays its Buddhist history and influence evidenced by the nearly 300 wats sprinkled around the city integrating its faith and spirituality into its DNA.
Inherently, the city maintains a certain calmness, order and peace, helping quiet the mind, quelching inner voices, allowing doubt to subside and dissipate.
In this state of quiet and focus, one’s senses are allowed to become more acute.
The colors are more vivid and pronounced.
The sound of stillness permeates the air.
The air is filled with the smell of freshness and spice.
The complex layers of flavors meld together.
Connections are on a more intimate level.
Chiang Mai has been blessed with a lush and verdant topography and is replete with bountiful opportunities for quiet moments, reflection and solitude.
Walking through its many lush, secluded and landscaped paths is a reward in and of itself, providing stillness and serenity, interrupted only by the sound of the soft rustling of the leaves from a gentle warm breeze passing through the garden.
In the midst of the placidity, you can hear the flitting of the wings of the birds as they wander and explore the various branches and vines draping over and sheltering the rice paddies.
Harmonizing with their rhythmic beats and occasional chirps are the soothing sounds of the rippling water as the schools of koi swish and jump about in the nearby pond.
The wide expanse of open fields nestled in between lush and verdant hills give way to the Rose’s gentle giants, living their best lives, shielded from the cruelty and oppression of the outside world.
Chiang Mai is where one can escape, disconnect and find a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of life and get lost in her natural beauty, reset and recharge for the long road ahead.
Grace Gambin
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