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My initial impressions of Spain were ones of foreign-ness and wonder. Through my interactions with people in different parts of the country and observations of culture, fashion, and life in Spain those virgin impressions were quick to neutralize. The more I learned about Spain, and more specifically Andalusia, the more I became aware of some very familiar issues that I was introduced to while working with the Trek. From seeing clouds of smog hanging above major cities, to the old men in small towns throwing trash into the street right next to empty garbage cans, to learning about the design of the destructive regulations surrounding small scale agriculture the connection to the ugly face of consumerism was impossible to disregard. However I was introduced to certain aspects of Spain that I found quite sustainable such as efficacious mass transit, and practical urban zoning regulations.

In most cities and towns I traveled through there are cafes, small private grocery stores, butchers, and similar services located directly beneath peoples apartments. The support of local economy coupled with the convenience of proximity. Eliminating the need to waste fuel, time, and energy just to get ingredients for lunch or dinner. A common sense/permaculture concept that I just never saw enough of in the states. My understand of zoning regulations in the States, though varied from state to state, generally inhibits this sort urban or more so suburban structure. New zoning regulations coupled with “sustainable engineering” could really be a win-win on a lot of levels. Those who stand to loose here are some of the big corporations and oil companies, and when looked into it’s not surprising to see how much influence they have on regulations regarding these concepts.

One time use products, disposable packaging, harsh detergents, and other such common contributers to pollution are just as prevalent in Spain as they are anywhere else these days. Andulucia is know by many to be the former home of massive trash heaps that covered countless beautiful hillsides. The result of a well established consumerism market pumping towns full of junk that lack any and all concept of environmental awareness. I cover my direct experience and viewpoint on this topic more thoroughly in this mini-post entitled: Trash in Andulucia.

Through my interactions and conversations with long time locals I learned of how regulations and laws have been created and passed to favor the business of corporations in Andulucia just as they are in the States. The destruction of a the local economy around a town I lived near to for two months was (after some research and digging for answers) very apparent. Read mini-post: Culturally Destructive Politics in Andulucia, for an in depth look on how this happened here and some discussions I’ve had with locals on the matter. Within Spain Andulucia is known for being the most politically corrupt region of the country. In my mini-posts entitled: The Treaty of Forgetting and Cigaronez; Anarchists in Andulucia I go into more depth on what I learned about the interesting history of Spain’s past rulers and recent real life stories about how somethings haven’t changed too much.

I feel like I learned a lot during my time in Spain. The region I spent the majority of my time in contained a lot of talented and knowledgeable farmers, a few of whom I had the pleasure of learning from. I got my first real introduction to living abroad here and with it came many wonderful and startling changes in perspective in which I go into detail with the mini-post:Changes in Perspectives. I improved my Spanish considerably and learned a bit of German. I got to see different lifestyles, meet some really interesting people, and became even more inspired about the possibilities sustainability holds for improving the quality of peoples lives. I also discovered that permaculture and organic farming is what makes my heart sing and is something that I will incorporate into my lifestyle whatever and where ever the future brings me.