I can tell from the tang in the air that the west wind brings the scents of local industry. As I'm here for the ancient mountains, the modern connivances and pollutions are the distinct downside. If you go up the mountains here, you can see the haze frequently hovering over the towns and the clear air over the meadows. This slightly acrid scent is quite common in southern Europe, but I didn't expect to find it in the summertime. The advantages of the developed areas: properties listed on the rental sites, walkable groceries, reliable internet, and safety. The advantages of the remote areas: basically everything else. At least in the summertime -- in the autumn and afterwards, there's theatre and music in the cities. But that list is sufficient for me -- I keep to the pools of electric light, even in summer.
