A Walk through Peace Gardens,

Calgary Alberta

Walking through the majestic wrought iron entrance gates into rich and vibrant hanging gardens, we enter paradise - a world full of fragrance and mystery. Lush greens and prismatic colors enrich our souls instantly. Pausing under such a vast ceiling of living greenery allows us to absorb enormous energies and we feel renewed and relaxed as we begin our journey.

To each side of the broad and open terraced patio, our eyes are intrigued with wonderful treasures. Works of art are subtly placed, some almost hidden, as if an invitation were being issued to a treasure hunt. The sun's energies are seeping through this canopy of greens, layer upon layer. The streams of light find their way, darting down, to dance in the slightest breeze upon the brick floor below. Radiant heat lifts up to bless us with the gift of warmth from the sun a second time.

Secluded and secure, friends visit as they sit casually upon warm and beautifully carved wooden benches, renewing old friendships. The engraved memorial bricks beneath their feet help us grasp the multitude of people who built this unique garden-world for all to enjoy. Upon each brick are their names and the dreams they hold. The extensive range of elusive dreams only just begin here at these luscious hanging gardens but we can see them weaving pathways, bidding us further into the captivating world beyond.

Walking to the edge of the multi-terraced brick gardens we lift our sights to view the endlessness of our Alberta-blue skies complete with a 180¼ plus unobstructed panoramic view. There are hundreds of miles of breathtaking shades of blues in solid stance: the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Descending from the Welcome Home Gateway Garden, our attention is instantly grasped by a unique structure, quite literally from a dream as if a gift from heaven: the Angel's Wings. Following the pathway which celebrates the world and its many cultures and faces, and their contribution to humanity, we pass through a circle of Peace Gardens' flags, high above.

On either flank of the Angel Wings, hovers our heaven-bound mascot, Felicity, the butterfly and her friends. We walk toward the base of the building and our eyes gaze upward in amazement as we realize the tips of the Angel's Wings actually do touch the heavens and an insight settles subtly in our minds, we too, touch the heavens from where we stand.

We move toward the center, feeling as though we have just been enfolded in the arms of an angel. This seven story high celestial icon of world harmony transcends the mundane as we have a building which wraps itself around us, still, leaving us free to absorb the solar heat of the sun and free to enjoy the cooling effects of the summer breeze. It is to be in a building of transparency.

The wings dwarf the Center Stage which brings the guest speaker to us from a magical place, "The Backstage", situated at the internal base of this structure. Seated, we are welcomed to Paradise Gardens Enterprises and The Peace Gardens world gardens.

As we listen to a very gracious and kind speaker, we are enlightened as to treasures we can enjoy throughout the Garden which unfolds as a virtual world, a 3-D replica of a standard map of the world; complete with gardens, architecture, arts, culture, experiential and tutorial activities in real time. We will have opportunities to enjoy the spiritual and healing effects of the garden and discussions, as well as to enlarge our understanding through using better energies and the rewards of research. We hear a mini-history as well as the current status of the top 10 projects. The short introduction allows us to see the vision and mission of this great process of building the never-ending-story.

We are invited to return after dusk for the evening's performance and light show. Request forms are filled out for those who wish to be part of the backstage event; and informal reception for the performers held in the Twin Falls Ballroom below. Hand-held translators are distributed to those of non-English tongue and PGE Advocates instruct them in its use.

The throng dissipates, evaporating from sight, each of them on their own journey through the garden - some off to explore and discover new tastes, sights, sounds and experiences, others return to the comfort of their favorite realm.

Passing us, we recognize the dreamers, the lovers, the friends and we sense the calm and inspiration. Motivated by an artist at work at his canvas at the entrance, we enter his world momentarily and appreciate his view. Others pass us by, full of directness and energy, busy talking about this or that, intent on arriving at their next stop.

Beautiful sculptures and an abundance of profound wisdom grace the flowerbeds. There is always some insight to be found, some part of life to celebrate and some part of us that heals and grows stronger by spending a part of the day in Paradise. We have soaked up the entrance to the garden; we are now ready to explore the rest of the garden..

...The Victorian Gardens continue to hold their draw with the magnificent Crystal Conservatory towering above, its glass walls and ceilings pulling us ever nearer, enchanting our minds with its entrancing architecture and the heritage within. Those inside continue to work toward their dreams of the perfect color of another rose or the exquisite taste of an orange in the orangery. Patios in the Common invite the artist in all of us to linger a few moments to capture the beauty exhibited by the artisans. The dreamers work in harmony to present their gifts to the world.  Aaaah, I could go on...