Quaint Cottage Reflections

This is a hidden garden behind a store on St. George Street. The store is a gift store full of wind chimes, garden decorations, wall hangings, coffee mugs, jewelry, etc. You wouldn't even notice this garden and quaint cottage in the back unless you walked into the store (or you're a local).

Quaint Cottage

I love being a local in a tourist town (well, sometimes) because I know about all of the city's secrets and hidden spots. I know where to park without having to pay, if I have to use the restroom I know which ones to go to that are nice and clean, I get into various tourist attractions for free and when I pass by certain places I am flooded with wonderful memories.

Like this quaint cottage located at the back of a small garden. My husband and I come here sometimes and just sit and take everything in. One day, we sat in the garden for a while and listened to Celtic music that was playing across the street.

There's a small park on the residential end of St. George Street that most people never see. I think many people walk by without even noticing it. This is where I got married. It looked very different when the walkways were lined with vases filled with water and floating candles and sprinkled with purple rose petals. There were candles and twinkle lights everywhere - it was very beautiful. Sometimes, I go to the park to reflect on my marriage and my amazing husband.

When walk on the grounds of the Castillo de San Marcos (or what locals refer to as "the fort"), I don't think about the battle that took place almost 450 years ago. I think about the night my husband proposed to me. I think about the fort being my dog's most favorite place. He used to play in the grass and run up and down the hills when he was a puppy. There's a point that looks out over the water. You can see the Atlantic Ocean and the Bridge of Lions (a beautiful historical drawbridge). My husband wants his ashes sprinkled here when he dies. It's one of his favorite places.

These are quaint places for me - they feel cozy and bring me good thoughts. They are full of beautiful memories and I am very appreciative of their ability to foster moments of reflection.

*I'm participating in the 2013 A to Z Challenge. Every day in April (except for Sundays) I will be posting according to a letter of the Alphabet. To read more about my theme, click here.