When Surrealism Meets Nature: My Visit to Las Pozas

Las Pozas is a stunning garden filled with surreal sculptures and waterfalls of Edward James, an eccentric English poet and artist. James used to live there in the secluded jungle near a small village called Xilitla in the state of San Luis Potosi in Mexico. He created a totally unique and dreamlike world, inspired by the rainforest, his love of Surrealism and poetry, and his spiritual quests. James built terraces, winding staircases, arches, and towers with names such as Garden of Eden, House of Three Floors, Temple of the Ducks, or Stairway to Heaven. He used natural materials such as concrete, recycled glass, stone, and seashells and blended them with the jungle environment and topography. I wandered through the gardens for hours, marveling at the poetry in motion and the secret nooks that revealed new surprises. I climbed up to the top of a lookout tower that provided panoramic views of the complex and the surrounding mountains. I was amazed by the creative mind that could translate a vision into reality and by the natural beauty that coexisted with it. The experience was peaceful yet inspiring.