Chinese Gardens

When I went to Vancouver a few weeks ago, I got to see the classical chinese gardens they have. One of my favorite places that I first went to when it was just opening (1987ish) and have visited periodically since then.

I have a couple of favorite things about the garden. One of them is the windows, which are all different.

The window are designed to block as well as allow - you see the window, and you see what's beyond it. In one case, they also are designed to obstruct:

What else do I love? The scholar's garden. The roof has been designed such that the water runs down into little half moons, up the moon, down the curve, and off a little nipple at the end. This is such that when it rains, it creates a rain curtain - drop by drop the rain comes off.

I love the three friends of winter - bamboo, pine, and flowering plum - evergreens that life our spirits especially in winter.

I love the "painting" that is really embroidery...

I love that it is an oasis of tranquility in the middle of a busy city.

It's a nice place to go. More on gardens soon... my own!