So for the last month I’ve been biking across the countryside of Germany, Slovakia and Hungary and it’s been interesting noticing the way people interact with the land.  Through much of the countryside there’s monocultural wheat farms, but the nearer to homes you go the more examples of permaculture gardens you see.  Biking from Slovakia to Hungary and back it was regular to see mixed orchards with geese, chickens, and bees.  Backyard gardens were filled with cabbage, peppers, strawberries, grapes tomatoes, corn, carrots, potatoes, and other vegetables.  Cob ovens and wood fired stoves weren't uncommon either.

 It became evident these home gardens were part of a common culture that extended through towns and countries.  Growing your own vegetables was a status symbol, much like a nice green lawn across the states.  Instead of a kid mowing the lawn, you might see a few teenagers in Metallica shirts scything old plants into mulch.  At 6 am, you might see a trickle of older women and men going to the organic farm on the edge of town to harvest vegetables.  A food culture like this not only brings health  food security, but joy, and pride.  If we want to have anti-fragile lives, a home garden like those in the east is one good way to start.