Meredith asked me to write this post, although it was quite possibly her favorite place of the trip, because she was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to do the Lan Su Chinese Garden justice with words.  Now that I’ve begun typing, I’m afraid of the exact same thing.  To me, one of the most fascinating parts of the gardens was how, in some mysterious way, stepping through the door made you forget all about the gigantic bustling city in the middle of which it is set.  Tranquility is key here, and although it’s hardly a city block in size, the pace at which you’ll find yourself meandering along the paths, taking in the plants, rooms, walls, ponds, and buildings, trying not to miss a single piece, will have you occupied for hours.  We’d highly recommend a ceremonial tea at the Tea House, where we discovered the rare experience of a traditional tea, led by the extremely knowledgeable and helpful staff. It’s a mindful experience that leads you to take great care and thought in the actual process of making tea – a habit that could be beneficially applied to virtually all other aspects of our lives.