Great Expectations

I was walking around the Madrid neighborhood of Lavapies the other day with a good friend. As per her priorities in life, she was missing outdoor spaces and the fresh organic produce of California. “Are there any urban gardens around?” I asked, thinking that since she had been living in the city since mid-May, she might have found something. “Not that I know of”, she replied. I was surprised, given that urban gardening is a very hip concept in many of the cities that I have visited.

Lavapies is a sort of ‘hippie’ neighborhood, with a distinct revolutionary flair. It´s full of alternative food stores, and dreadlocks, and balconies that hang socialist or anti-religious banners. In other words, it´d be the perfect place to find an urban garden.

Shortly after my initial questioning, almost comically so, we found just what we were looking for. “Este Es Una Plaza” declared the almost parking garage-like gate, open so that we could peek inside. There we found a vegetable garden full of tomatoes, basil, squash, and some strawberries. There were fruit trees as well, and an amphitheater, and some vaguely political graffiti. A woman, who sat crocheting in the sun, told us that if we came back later we could help out. Our smiles stretched ear to ear.

That’s the thing with a city, with Madrid. If you come from the country, like I do, you may give up that vegetable garden in your front yard, or the herd of cattle who live next door. But if you look for it, if you let yourself wander with an open mind and a sharp nose, you can find anything you want. And, truly, so much more…