Recurring Themes. No 1: Depopulation

Some themes seem to resonate no matter where we travel, not all of them by any means are edifying. So ahead of commencing our trip of a lifetime, ahead of living our dream, we examine some of those recurring themes.

Depopulation of rural areas is already one of those recurring themes, bringing with it the loss of tradition and culture. As the world becomes more and more accessible, so the destination hubs grow. The attractive cities expand, resorts grow, hotels and apartments spring to life. With all this comes a series of largely false micro economies, as tourism brings in the foreign dollar and jobs, and incomes, become readily available. 

This provides an income at a level way beyond anything that the more traditional occupations could ever offer, particularly in the rural areas. And so, inevitably, the rural areas suffer depopulation and, worse still, there is nobody left to continue the traditional ways of life in those rural areas. The call of the big cities, the call of a better standard of living, is so much stronger than any drive to perpetuate custom.

We first came across this in Morocco, with deserted almond farms spread around derelict houses for mile upon mile. The resorts of Agadir and Essaouira both lie within 100 miles of the valleys, and offer riches from tourism way beyond the dreams of farming families. Young people, tempted by the regular and increased income from the new economy, gravitate away from the family homes and head for those bright lights. 

We heard similar tales in Albania, and Croatia, as crafts handed down through generations were being lost to new money. There is a parallel with ancient times of course, with major civilisations like Monte Alban and Petra deserted long ago as supplies, or trade, dwindled, leaving behind magnificent relics of bygone eras. The call of wealth in modern times seems somehow less romantic, though it is indeed a parallel nonetheless. 

It is as sad as it is inevitable. The sadness lies not in the fact that money is an attraction, but in the loss of skills that have been handed down through generations, the loss of custom and history. Elders who watch younger generations desert these traditions must despair, even if they do understand the desire to better oneself financially.

And behind them, the empty fields and derelict buildings speak volumes.