March 10, 2012. Jay asked me if I would like to go to the Flower Show. I figured sure, why not? I got online to order tickets and learned that the theme of the show was “Hawaii” and I got really excited. I was expecting a lot. Having been to Hawaii, I know just how beautiful it is there. Lush tropical green rainforest and lots of beautiful bright flowers - hibiscus, bird of paradise, plumeria, ginger, red tea leaves, bamboo. I was prepared to be dazzled.
After some intial issues with transportation were worked out, Jay and I drove to the train station and hopped a train for Philadelphia. Arrived at Market East and grabbed a quick lunch at the Food Court at the Gallery. Unfortunately the wait was too long at Hard Rock Cafe. After lunch we headed into the Show.
Heading into the Flower Show meant, quite literally, joining a very slow moving sea of humanity. There were so many people! It was so crowded that we could barely get near the exhibits and it was nearly impossible to get photos without having a stranger’s elbow, head, or other body part blocking your way. Lesson learned - next time attend on a weekday, early in the morning. But we persisted. And I got enough decent shots to warrant quite a lot of scrapbooking!
One thing we noticed immediately was that our expectations of being transported into a lush tropical rainforest filled with bright popping colors wasn’t going to be met. Jay and I both agreed that we were a bit disappointed. There was just too much of the Convention Center still evident - steel beams, concrete floor, horrid fluorescent lighting. I didn’t feel at all like I was in Hawaii. The other issue was it was simply too commercialized. Sponsor signs everywhere detracted from the beauty of the exhibits.
The main exhibit for Hawaii was a giant waterfall pouring down the side of a mountain and surrounded by greenery and flowers. It was really quite beautiful, unfortunately also so crowded I couldn’t get a single decent photo. My other favorites - the light show on the side of a grass hut, the family of stone and wire geese walking across a lawn, all the little Hawaii vignettes and the enormous metal butterfly sculpture. I also enjoyed the bonsai trees - I’ve had a “thing” for them ever since I was a little girl.
6 comments:
I have a thing for bonsai too, I find them amazing and peaceful ... quite fascinating really.
Despite the drawbacks, it looks like a lovely day out.
It still looks pretty amazing,Cheri. I'm going to the famous Chelsea Floer Show this year....and can't wait.
You did get some lovely photos Cheri, but I agree that it's discouraging & disappointing when it's too crowded to enjoy!
These photos are gorgeous and sure make me miss Hawaii. I think you got some super shots and wish you'd had a chance to get closer to the things you missed...can't imagine what you could have come up with. For me, being surrounded by the beauty of flowers restores my soul. Great job!
That first page is so pretty.
Rinda
Getting to this flower show has been on my To Do list for a long time. I'll remember to go during the week though. I can deal with the convention hall aspects of it, but the mass of humanity would be discouraging. You got wonderful photos nonetheless.
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