Evergreen rainforests just touch me differently than "normal" forests and idk why
It makes sense to me. I find rainforest much more grounding, soothing and uplifting than dry forest, and I think that's a similar contrast. The Pool of Siloam I posted above isn't far from me, but if you go there during a dry spell, the feel of the surrounding forest is *completely* different to when it's had plenty of rain... you can just feel the life coursing through it.
Interestingly, my mother came from England, and lives there now, as she never truly adapted and belonged here. She always said to me how she hated the trees and climate here - "like bottle brushes sticking out of the ground and never change, they're always the same year in year out - it's all backwards". It hurt me deeply as the idea of this land being hostile or alien is total anathema. To me it is endlessly living yet always changing... wet, dry, bright sun, quiet, subdued mists or spectacular storms and lightening, it's all alive in it's endless richness and variety. Even in fire and drought, Gaia renews and thrives.
I'm going to visit my mum soon, and I imagine it'll still be bare trees and all. To me that feels strange - to a local no doubt they feel Gaia is just resting and rebuilding, but to me it has always felt like an odd, dead or desolate feeling. On the other hand... if I get a chance to get in the water that'll be great - I do love European temperate reefs, it's like a garden, especially before the kelp grows in too thick in the northern summer - maybe make friends with a little catshark or ray
)
