The Garden of Serenity
Hope Gardens is a botanical garden surrounded with different species of plants and flowers located in the parish, Kingston, of my island, Jamaica. It is widely an attraction for tourists and visitors within the island with a serene environment and many acres of land which people go to relax, have picnics, and visit the zoo. As a lover of animals and nature, I considered this place the closest thing to paradise. My love for the zoo leads back to my family trips to Hope Gardens, we would make sure to set aside time for our monthly family outings to the zoo. Things have not been the same since my last trip; for this is the time I found out that the botanical garden and zoo, and my favorite place to spend time with family were unfortunately closing down.
With every tick and tock I sat silently wishing for ten a.m. to arrive. Just when I thought I was about to fall over with impatience, I heard footsteps, as they grew louder and louder. I then heard a soft knock on my door. Lazily, I got up to open the door and was greeted by my mother’s angelic smile.
“It is time to get dressed, Tennile-Ann,” she said.
“Finally,” I said.
Hurriedly, I took my shower and brushed my teeth. I dashed to my bed where my pink and white outfit was already laid out; I was the first person in the car. Slowly, my family started loading the car with our bags.
Sitting in the passenger’s seat of my mother’s red Honda civic, I cruised down the paved road. The smell of the sandwiches and fruits hit my nostrils as the cool air conditioning sat on full blast. I watched the other cars drive around me as I tried to capture my thoughts as we edged closer and closer to our destination. My anticipation reached full stride.
As we pulled up closer to the parking lot, swarms of parents and kids could be seen entering the Hope Gardens. As I stepped out of the car, my excitement grew. My palms got sweaty to the point where I could barely open the...