Serenity in the City

LA is full of many little surprises if you're willing to follow your curiosity and abandon your car. Life whizzes by so fast and even more so when you spend your life on the freeway that it's nice to just stop and smell the flowers once in a while - literally. I came upon a lovely farmers market on the grounds of the Veteran's Hospital in West LA. What an oasis! It's snuggled amongst towering, fragrant Eucalyptus trees and gardens of every sort dot the landscape; herbs, flowers & veggies galore. Enhancing the noon hour experience is a folk band to entertain you and local restauranteurs offering anti run-of-the-mill meals every Thursday afternoon. The highlight, though, is the parrot sanctuary at Serenity Park. This is a treat not to be missed. The birds are extraordinary. Macaws, Cockatoos, and other exotic birds liven the aviaries with song, imitation and downright rambunctiousness. What makes this place even more special is that these amazing birds are lovingly cared for by the wonderful men and women who lovingly cared for us and our freedom by their service in the armed forces.