As I live in Belfast near a peace wall which divides communities. It was refreshing to land in a city now also going through a period of change for it's people and places And trying to bring down the barriers between rich and poor.
Permaculture closer Community Organisational ties, together with more alternative methods of bring more of the issues to the fore by lesser represented groups, is leading to a more cohesive understanding for both cities.
The recently elected Ada Calua now has inequality in her sights. The New Mayor of Barcelona having gained office has wasted no time bringing other parties together for the betterment of Barcelona. And I for one would Love to form closer ties with this great portal city. (number 1 for cruise ships to dock in). And with Belfast fast growing it's reputation as a space for tourists to share their LoVe of all that is good about a City.
Barcelona to me this time felt a safer place to be in. The notorious 'La Rambla' once a haven for pickpockets was now swarming with armed police, tourists, and the bad press surrounding some it's lesser attractive issues, have only helped enhance it's appeal and the image Barcelona is now trying to build.
I had gone to help my friends redevelop the garden, of the new house they had just bought. (buying a house a meager fete in itself here) Buying property, understanding how the way of life affects the ordinary way of life was one of the aims of my travels this time.
Having just started an Alternative Walking tour in Belfast, in conjunction with a local Street Artist. I wanted to get deep down and dirty in the city we all know as Barcelona. Renowned for it's great Architect in Antoni Gaudi, and of course the greatest Spanish football team of all (FC Barcelona), or should I say Catalan football team.
I spent the first couple of days reacquainting myself with the city, strolling the Mediterranean waterfront, before I started looking for the Street Art on the inner city walls. As I meandered endlessly to find out more about the real side of life in the city.
I first discovered a community garden just of off 'plaza de espana' were I believe Barca football fans celebrate their winnings. But this was no ordinary space. On one side stood a 8 story building earmarked for demolition in a area of regeneration. And on the other a gated off area complete with a cargo Container for an Office, were I first met Christina. The project manager. Who was just going to lunch, but had time to fill me in on some of the art that was on the walls. And how the nation of transient people moved and traveled in a country now full of homeless displaced people.
The following day I sought out The Alternative (Free) Walking Tour of Barcelona, not what I was expecting but well worth every yen of the 5,000 I gave the guide Joseph a native English speaker like myself who had been in the city since 2003. I could relate to a lot of what he told the group of three that had joined him for the tour. Lots of it controversial, and I could see by my compatriots expressions, that the revealing topics, they found difficult to comprehend. This tour was exactly what I was looking for, and lead me to my next destination. A Permacultural Garden and home to a community, in a disused Monastery high about the city in a lesser populated area of the Metropolis.
The next day I took the Metro. And exited onto a busy road. with a park as the central reservation. Kids where playing football with their Dad. While youths played Basketball, in the games area. And over the din of the traffic I could hear and see parakeets, among the palm trees. I continued along the central reservation. Till I got to the turn off that lead me to a dirt road that went up the side of a steep hill.
I soon found myself in a local woodland with great views of the City and the Mediterranean below me. On arrival at my destination I was greeted by a group of volunteer workers, busy preparing for an open day of the garden and communal house. The project had been running 15 years. and you could see the progress on the old Monastery that had been made. With well laid out gardens below.
I heard a mixture of accents here, English, French, Spanish (of course) German, and spoke in English with some of the residents from Sweden.
Those not busy preparing the House for visitors where working on the veggie fields. Preparing for the growing season. I lent a hand spreading compost and covering it with hessian sacks. That not only suppressed weeds, but also helped keep moisture in the ground. This to me was the best differentiation of Permaculture I had ever come across. Totally self-sufficient. And discovered I could help out every Thursday, and return receive free veg, and meals for that days work. And the next time I go back to Barcelona. As long as I do some chores i could stay there for up to 2 weeks.
Looking back on my visit to Barcelona now. I can draw similar comparisons to life in Belfast. Which has changed so much since the signing of the Good Friday peace agreement. The locals now have a more focused want of betterment for their kids and respected for those around them. Thou it is said it will take a least 2 generations to overcome 'the Troubles' of the past 40 years.
The still divided communities, are learning to forgive. And it is hoped by 2023 the fences that still divide the cities communities will come down. The first of which has been replaces by something people can now see each other at least.
The changing dynamics of tourism and new settlers from all over the world are also bring lots of cultural and ethnicity to a city that was once a little more diverse than of late. as I have mentioned in other blog posts. Many business are now setting up here, as they have found N. Ireland has the skills and infrastructure they seek. But along side wealth lives poor and sometimes socially challenging discontent. The growing shift in population from both troubled and discontent peoples from all over the world has brought differences not seen or suppressed by the period called 'the Troubles'
The motto for Belfast City Council is 'For so much what shall we give in return' And in this lays the struggle to help those who pay taxes for services.
Community organisations the center of bringing a more harmonious vibe to their people, receive help and guidance from council. New business also benefits from workshops. And the changing world has given rise to social enterprise, now seen as a valuable source of improving the environment and deprivation.
Like in Barcelona I see and hear the views of the locals being addressed. We don't live in a perfect world, but believe intercultural relations is the way, to help achieve a better life for all. The emergence of community gardens on otherwise disused space in Belfast. Ever closer ties between community organisation. A city that is now attracting visitors from all over the world, To festivals and globally recognized events. Inward investment All make N.Ireland a exciting place to live right now.
The next day I took the Metro. And exited onto a busy road. with a park as the central reservation. Kids where playing football with their Dad. While youths played Basketball, in the games area. And over the din of the traffic I could hear and see parakeets, among the palm trees. I continued along the central reservation. Till I got to the turn off that lead me to a dirt road that went up the side of a steep hill.
I soon found myself in a local woodland with great views of the City and the Mediterranean below me. On arrival at my destination I was greeted by a group of volunteer workers, busy preparing for an open day of the garden and communal house. The project had been running 15 years. and you could see the progress on the old Monastery that had been made. With well laid out gardens below.
I heard a mixture of accents here, English, French, Spanish (of course) German, and spoke in English with some of the residents from Sweden.
Those not busy preparing the House for visitors where working on the veggie fields. Preparing for the growing season. I lent a hand spreading compost and covering it with hessian sacks. That not only suppressed weeds, but also helped keep moisture in the ground. This to me was the best differentiation of Permaculture I had ever come across. Totally self-sufficient. And discovered I could help out every Thursday, and return receive free veg, and meals for that days work. And the next time I go back to Barcelona. As long as I do some chores i could stay there for up to 2 weeks.
Looking back on my visit to Barcelona now. I can draw similar comparisons to life in Belfast. Which has changed so much since the signing of the Good Friday peace agreement. The locals now have a more focused want of betterment for their kids and respected for those around them. Thou it is said it will take a least 2 generations to overcome 'the Troubles' of the past 40 years.
The still divided communities, are learning to forgive. And it is hoped by 2023 the fences that still divide the cities communities will come down. The first of which has been replaces by something people can now see each other at least.
The changing dynamics of tourism and new settlers from all over the world are also bring lots of cultural and ethnicity to a city that was once a little more diverse than of late. as I have mentioned in other blog posts. Many business are now setting up here, as they have found N. Ireland has the skills and infrastructure they seek. But along side wealth lives poor and sometimes socially challenging discontent. The growing shift in population from both troubled and discontent peoples from all over the world has brought differences not seen or suppressed by the period called 'the Troubles'
The motto for Belfast City Council is 'For so much what shall we give in return' And in this lays the struggle to help those who pay taxes for services.
Community organisations the center of bringing a more harmonious vibe to their people, receive help and guidance from council. New business also benefits from workshops. And the changing world has given rise to social enterprise, now seen as a valuable source of improving the environment and deprivation.
Like in Barcelona I see and hear the views of the locals being addressed. We don't live in a perfect world, but believe intercultural relations is the way, to help achieve a better life for all. The emergence of community gardens on otherwise disused space in Belfast. Ever closer ties between community organisation. A city that is now attracting visitors from all over the world, To festivals and globally recognized events. Inward investment All make N.Ireland a exciting place to live right now.
