Palm House Schönbrunn

It was the beginning of March, the world had gone mad yet again, and all I wanted to do was take a walk and calm my mind. It so happened that I went past the Palm House in the Schönbrunn Palace Park in Vienna and decided to pay a visit. I feel like this was a turning point in my life, because I was snapped out of reality and led into a world of such magnificent beauty that it rejuvenated and refreshed my whole being: mind and soul!

This was probably the first time I truly understood the power of beauty, especially the beauty of nature. We all know it and we all experience it daily, but how often do we pay attention to its impact on us? Standing there, surrounded by blooming magenta camellias, pink rose bushes, and giant green leaves, I felt included - I felt beautiful myself. The white chairs were covered in heavy, warm droplets; people were walking slowly, taking in everything around them, stepping lightly onto the soft ground.

When I went out, I had left all of my worries behind - the day was mine to live, and life was mine to conquer. Appreciation became part of my daily walks - I now stop to watch butterflies, touch leaves and tender petals, gather pine cones, or stare at the skies, the birds, the rainbow, and the treetops. This is curiosity and dedication to detail, typical of our early years of development. Who knows why we somehow lose it when we grow up!

This impression was left on me three years ago. Ever since then, the Palm House in Schönbrunn has become a must-visit place every winter, especially in the months of January and February, when we all need a little reminder that life still has its vibrant side.