The figs are almost here. I’ve been anxiously awaiting them since I realized the trunks and leaves that intermingle with my beloved aspens are none other than those of fig trees, one of my favorite fruits. The blossoms all around have already arrived, coloring the air with their mixed floral and citrusy seductions. I don’t see many Spanish stopping to smell the roses, but I’ll always follow Ferris Bueller’s advice and do so myself. Even when the wisteria branches are far above my head and I have to jump to catch one and bring it to my face before releasing it back to the happy bees. It’s not just the blossoms coming out, the people are filling the streets here more than I’ve seen before. It’s gotten hot so quickly, so much so that without even leaving the house I can tell the temperature by how many people are out at what time. Late afternoon is empty, just the cats lying on the hot cement soaking up the rays to photosynthesize. I had to take a break from my homework to go buy some coconut cream before the stores closed for my mango sticky rice, and though it was almost 10pm, I had been hearing the buzz growing outside for the past hour and when I emerged from my locked in hibernation, people of all ages were out and about enjoying the spring festivities the area is known for. People are now happy to be outside, just walking or sitting. They’re doing what they would be inside, reading, journaling, chatting, having a tinto and a tapa with a friend, but the feeling of joy just to be outside is palpable. It can be overwhelming at times but right now, I’m happy to be among the celebration of the outdoors.

Nationally, I have to admit I have only engaged with climate attitude when it comes to traveling/transport. In the airports, they make a concerted effort to advertise which airlines have the lowest climate impact, part of that of course being the tiny allowances for bags etc. They also have extensive trains and buses throughout the country, supplemented by a rideshare program in which people post where they’re going, where from, what time, and how much they want you to pay, and you just join them in their car. I can’t help but wonder how much this is related to their poor road infrastructure and small passages, and not environmentalism, though. I have also noticed nationally that Spain does not have laws about having separate receptacles for trash. They have paper, compost, and a shared bin for glass and plastic. Given the experience at my university, it doesn’t seem that environmentalism is a huge priority, though of course as a school, there is a bit more focus on youth activism than in general life. This next week my mom will be visiting me, and we will be traveling around a few cities in Spain. I’m excited to learn what climate awareness and protection might look like in the bigger cities like Barcelona. We will also be visiting Lisbon, Portugal, where I will be sure to also compare and learn if the climate habits of Andalucía that tend towards selfish motivations are applicable to the peninsula, the country, or just the region. I expect that Andalusia might be different due to their fierce loyalty to tradition, history, patrimony, and uniqueness from the rest of the country, but I may be proven wrong!

Here are some more pictures of the Easter festivities, as well as a rose outside my door, the gorgeous river (fig trees not pictured), some more nice flowers, and an impromptu and improvisational dance performance I ran into the other day.