A walk through el Parque de Maria Luisa...

...where sunlight seeps through the slits of the palm leaves, illuminating the misty air.

I felt as if I were walking through an enchanted forest. So peaceful and gorgeous.

There are actually palm trees growing side by side with evergreens and typical leafy trees like those in the Midwest. Really strange, but really cool.

This park is not only beautiful, but huge. It kind of reminds me of Central Park in New York, but more woody and tranquil. I really want to just bring a sketchbook here one day and draw. It's like a ten minute walk from the University, so I'm thinking it's certainly a possibility! I mean, just look at the roots of this tree:

Pretty neat, huh? I used to hate the idea of strolling through the park because I found it boring to look at trees and ponds and such. When my parents would take me and my sister to the botanical gardens or to some state park, we would complain like no other. But now I'm really starting to love being outside in nature, and I'm definitely coming back soon as spring approaches and flowers begin to bloom...