After my search of the perfect flower, I realized that the city I live in has a lot to offer to a careful eye. I have lived in St. Louis for about two years, and our relationship has not always been great. In fact, it used to be a love-hate relationship… Moving here from Hawaii has been tough, for what place can compete with Hawaii’s lush and heavenly paradise scenery? However, St. Louis has quietly grown on me over the past year and a half… Its tree-lined streets are inviting, its cafes always buzzing with people, its parks accessible and inspiring…

St. Louis doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, and its reputation fight is an uphill battle. In this and a few upcoming posts, I will try to reveal a different St. Louis – not the one of crimes and poverty, but the one of peace and beauty.

Even one of the most dangerous cities in America becomes pretty in springtime…

I find beauty just a few steps from home, on a street filled with morning light

Nature is the most talented artist – every tree, every flower is a work of art

Tricolor: pink, blue, green

Poor spruce! Not as flashy as some of her neighbors, she feels left out in this feast of spring and color

Startled by his lifelike gaze, I say hello to the boy

Flowers on tree trunks never fail to amaze me!

St. Louis is the city where the angel of harmony lives in peace with the street graffiti

Colorful character in the park

Forest Park – the heart of St. Louis… It is amazing, beautiful, and bigger than Central Park in New York!

In the shade of Forest Park trees, you forget all worries and learn to enjoy the moment

Sometimes all we need to appreciate something is a new perspective…

The tree of life

After a charge of positive energy, I am leaving the park for Missouri Botanical Garden

Feel like visiting Japan? The cheapest option might be the Japanese Garden!

A coy koi

Peace and tranquility are guaranteed here

Haiku is fitting:

Thus spring begins: old
stupidities repeated,
new errs invented

Kobayashi Issa

After refreshing stay in the garden, I am back to roaming the streets…

An afternoon snack of Iranian nuts: crunchy almonds and walnuts, ancient figs, delicious red pistachios and sweet mulberry

An inviting corner: sit down, weary traveler, and enjoy your surroundings for a moment!

The brilliance of water

A work of art or a forgetful biker?

The afternoon sun heats up the streets; time for me to retire for now…

I am convinced that St. Louis deserves a second chance. Are you?

To be continued…