Spain 2010 Journal

The Great Lakes Leadership Academy Leadership Advancement Program

International Study Seminar

This is an account of the capstone of the 2009-2010 LAP program. The cohort spent

nine days touring and studying Spain. This is what they saw, heard, learned and

experienced during the seminar. The written entries and photographs were

contributed by participants.

Thursday 8/5 Madrid

Orientation to public transportation

TALGO Train Building Company

Friday 8/6 Madrid

Green Peace

Scribe – Sue Esser

Representatives from Spain’s branch of Green Peace presented the GLLA cohort with an overview of alternative energy in Spain. I was impressed to hear that 29% of Spain’s energy comes from renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydro. Spain needs to be aggressive in pursuing renewable energy sources because it has limited fossil fuel resources within its borders. The Green Peace representatives stated that 99% of Spain’s oil is imported and the coal available in Spain is of low quality Transportation consumes over 42% of Spain’s energy with a large part of this energy derived from oil. So a key aspect of Spain’s energy policy needs to include land use planning and mass transportation to reduce the amount of energy consumed by workers commuting back and for to their jobs. Green Peace feels that its goal of reducing Spain’s greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050 can be achieved by a combination of energy conservation and the increased use of renewable energy. The greatest opportunity for conservation is in transportation. Spain is pursuing opportunities for additional renewable energy in ocean energy, geothermal and biomass. It appears to me that the quest for renewable energy is a matter of national security as well as economic prosperity for Spain and that Spain is attempting to reduce its dependence on foreign sources of energy. Policy makers in the United States could learn from the success Spain has already achieved in renewable energy use.

United States Embassy

Scribe – Kevin Kirk

There are approximately 100 direct employees and 200 support staff employed in the US Embassy. Spain is a very important partner to the US with the war in Afghanistan. Spain is in a financial crisis because of both business and consumers lack confidence in spending money. Tax revenue is down because people are not spending or out of work. Over 3 million people are out of work. Business, labor, and government are trying to change by asking for pay cuts to avoid lay offs. Unfortunately, labor contracts are very protective. The government is struggling to get on top of its financial issues just as other countries in the European Union. Spain is the world leader in renewable energy especially in solar and wind energy. The government developed a "Feed in Tariff" program to help get new companies started. Government continues to look at new incentives to keep companies in the renewable business because government subsidies are cutting back. Spain is working hard on climatic global warming especially in greenhouse gas emission. By 2020 all households in Spain will be within 30 miles of a rail train station. High speed rail is better for the environment and thus the big push. Spain ranks #1 in the world in Olive production, #2 in Almonds and #2 in grapes with about 54% of the land in agriculture. Only 4% of the population in Spain is involved in Agriculture. Spain's Ag Subsidy Program is built on Food Safety should there be another war. Spain ranks 5th in the economy in the European Union. United States is the largest investor in Spain. Trade issues for Spain include; Biotechnology, Biofuels, EU Beef Hormone ban, Poultry Antimicrobial wash, and Food Safety issues.

Small Group Visits

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Small Group Visits Continued

Saturday, 8/7

Madrid and Seville

The Watermelon

On the first day in Spain, Roger Victory bought a watermelon from a street vendor

and he carried it with him for the entire trip.

Here he is with his watermelon on the trip to Toledo. On the last

day of the trip, the group released the

watermelon into the Mediterranean Sea.

Ancient Windmills

Sunday, 8/8

Seville

Royal Alcazar Palace

Scribe – Sara Pearson

The Alcazar is a fortified palace of which the construction was ordered by Abd Al Ramn III in the year 913. Originally a 10th century Moorish palace, The Royal Alcazar Palace was rebuilt in the 14th century as a royal palace for King Pedro I. The numerous rooms, patios and halls vary in architectural styles from the Islamic to Neoclassical. The magnificent dome of the

Ambassadors Room (Salon de los Embajadores) is decorated with gilded cedar wood sculptures. El Patio del Yeso (The Plaster Patio) is a beautiful, ornate garden full of flowers and streams that maintains elements of the almohade architectural style of the Moors from the 12 century.

Patio de las Doncellas: The name, meaning "The Courtyard of the Maidens", refers to the legend that the Moors demanded 100 virgins every year as tribute from Christian kingdoms in Iberia. The story of the tribute may have been used as a myth to bolster the Reconquista movement, but it may have had some truth to it in the sexual abuse of Christian women by powerful Moors. Salones de Carlos V (Rooms of Charles V) are decorated with tapestries and colored tiles from 16 Century. The Casa de Contratación (House of Trade)

lies off the la Monteria. It was built in 1503 by the Catholic Monarchs to regulate trade with the New World colonies. The Casa dealt with trade related legal disputes on trade with the Americas. The "Casa" includes a chapel where the Colombus met with Ferdinand and Isabella after his second voyage. The chapel houses the The Virgin of the Navigators, one of the first paintings to depict the discovery of the Americas and one of the earliest paintings to depict Columbus. The upper levels of the Alcázar are still used by the royal family as the official Seville residence and are administered by the Patrimonio Nacional.

Flamenco El Palacio

The Flamenco Palace

Scribe – Roger Veliquette

Flamenco dance is not Flamingo dance. The clarification came to this turnip farmer that the historical dance performed in Spain originating centuries ago based on gypsies and Moorish culture is not Flamingo dancing. Flamingo dancing is a large pink bird with stick like legs celebrating the discovery of a newly flooded marsh land in southern Spain after a wet winter season.

The Flamenco dance and dinner

in Seville was a relaxing relief from the heat of Seville. The performance of bright color flowing dressed dancers created a passionate and seductive art form of dance. The dinner included three servings of tapas including cheeses, Iberian ham, sea food, breads and selection of wines.

An observation of a common thread between the Flamenco dance and the Tango dance exist. The theme based performance and dress are similar

Monday, 8/9

Seville

Coopertiva Las Marismas, Libija

Rice and Tomato Cooperative

Scribe – Steve DeBrabander

The Cohort visited the Co-Op Las Marismas in Libija located approximately 30

miles/48 kilometers south of Seville. We had a lengthy meeting/discussion with

several co-op officials, toured the processing plant (in sterile clothing/caps) and visited

the fields.

The land in the Co-Op

(32,123 acres/13,000 hectares)

is below sea level and was

initially a saline marshland.

Between 1950 and 1980 the

marshland was drained to the

Rio Guadalquivir and the Co-

Op was formed in 1979. The

land was divided among

eligible citizens (older than 40

yrs old, non-land owner, most

children, etc) to farm.

The Co-Op now has 526 members

and provides everything needed by the

members including: technical advice,

paper work, equipment, processing and

marketing, etc. It appears many of the

members do not actively participate in

the actual farming but rely on the Co-Op

to complete agricultural activities.

Crops produced include: industrial

tomatoes, cotton, flowers, carrots, sugar

beets, corn, and broccoli.

Tuesday 8/10

Seville- Antequera

Local Vineyard Tour

Scribe – Sue Esser

The GLLA group visited

a winery orchard and winery

near the village of Jerez. Jerez is

the only place where aging of

Sherry wine takes place. In

summer it is around 44 degrees

C and in the summer it is 4

degrees C. Typical weather

conditions around Jerez include

55 days of rain. No irrigation is

typically used for the Sherry class of wine. 95% of the Sherry leaves the country. The

United Kingdom is the largest consumer, however, other markets are expanding.

Picking starts in the later part of August.

The only grape on this land is the Palomino grape variety, which is used in

Sherry wine production. Grape production is 7-10 thousand kilos/per hectare. Small

vineyards may produce 30,000 kilos/hectare. Wine is kept in 600 liter barrels of Sherry.

The wood for the barrels comes from the NE U.S. It provides the best type of aging.

With Sherry,

consumers want

the same kind of

wine.

Andalucian Horse Facility

Sherry Tasting

Scribe – Michael Everret

The GLLA group visited a

winery orchard and winery near the

village of Jerez. Jerez is known for

its Lebanese influence of creating

bronze. Phoenicians also came here

with the idea of finding a similar

place of their own. Soils and

growing conditions 3,000 years ago

were conducive to what they needed

to grow grapes for sherry. Jerez is

the only place where aging of Sherry

wine takes place.

95% of the Sherry leaves the country. The United Kingdom is the largest

consumer, however, other markets are expanding. Picking starts in the later part of

August. Depending on the need of wine producing companies. The only grape on this

land is the Palomino grape variety, which is used in Sherry wine production.

Grape production is 7-10 thousand kilos/per hectare, and small vineyards may

produce 30,000 kilos/hectare. The vineyard is about 20 years old and can be determined

by cuttings. It will be a good producing vineyard for about 40 years. With Sherry,

consumers want the same kind of wine.

Here are the typical prices

of their wine:

Ideal Pale Cream – 6 euros

Del Principe – 8 euros

Royale Cream – 10-12

euros

Tio Mateo – 10-12 euros

Solera 1842- 21 euros

(small bottle)

El Candado – 12 euro

Wenesday, 8/11

Antequera – Granada

Olive Production and Processing Facility

Alhambra Palace

The Red Palace

Scribe – Sara Pearson

It was constructed as a citadel in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries with a city and royal palace within the two kilometer wall. There are two walls surrounding the city with no moat, unlike Toledo. The arabic Sultan was from the desert and water was considered to be a gift from the God Allah; therefore, precious water was not used to create a moat. The walls encompass 52 acres wherein lived a population of approximately 2,500 people. There was the fortress, the market and a mosque. The mosque in the palace was unique in that there were windows and a view. The palace is a fantastic example of Moorish architecture with a plain exterior and ornate and rich interior only visible to those who the royalty felt worthy of viewing it. The fountains were a symbol of wealth. The finest artisans created finely detailed tiles, carpets, and molded tessellations and arabic writing to adorn the walls, floors, and ceilings. They believed that the geometric designs were perfect and the perfection would bring them closer to god.

In 1492, Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella conquered the City of Granada and the Emir of Granada surrendered the Alhambra Palace to the monarchs after 10 years. In the 16th century, Charles I of Spain (also known as Charles V - Holy Roman Emperor) took over the palace making several changes adding rooms for his intended honeymoon, converting the mosque to a church, and began construction of a palace. This palace was round on the inside and square on the outside (2 geometric figures) that has amazing acoustics. This is where Vicki and Tamra sang a beautiful rendition of God Bless America. Charles I never returned to the palace.

After walking through the beautiful palace, we entered the Generalife Gardens. The gardens are an ideal place to wander amongst the manicured shrubs, breathe in the scents of the aromatic lavender, and listen to the water fountains while overlooking the city at sunset.

Relaxing on the Mediterranean after a long, hot day.

Thursday 8/12

Granada-Malaga

Sierra Nevada National Park

Scribe – Roger Veliquette

The cohort wrapped up the trip with a tour of the beautiful Sierra Nevada National Park. After exploring the visitor center and watched a movie about glacial movements, the group was given a guided tour of the park. The park guides were extremely knowledgeable and shared the historical and cultural aspects of the park.

Sierra Nevada National Park became a National Park in 1999. Some of the mountain peaks reach up to 3,000 meters. There are over 60 species of flower here that belong exclusively to the area. The park guides expressed particular sensitivity for the flora and fauna.

The group helped clean-up the hiking trails as a thank you to Spain.

Haiku – Mitch Adelman

Helping us see Spain,

Eduardo Vandoorne guides…

Breeze on summer day

Untitled Poem – Roger Veliqutte

Quiet.

Solo time.

“What do you appreciate most about this trip?”

Walk. Weep. Wind.

Sun. Birds. Loose stone.

No more observations.

Time to say, to do something.

I am alone and we are together.

Weep damn it. Weep. Don’t curl your lip.

Butterfly.

Stone and sky.

Jagged and blue.

I appreciate the time –

That time slowed down,

The time Mike and Vicki gave,

The time with friends,

The time for me, and

Time for perspective from this place, our journey.

Mountain snapshot.

Carry it.

Noise.