Subject: Postcard #6

Nov 8,2001

Hi all,

Its that time again, time sure flies when you are having fun. Well at least I am keeping out of trouble most of the time anyways. On Oct. 24th I got a photocopy of my first postcard published in Logberg. I hope everyone is enjoying them. And I am glad to see that my photos are printable as well. Technology is great isn't it? On the 25th I printed up the student newspaper again. This one was a special one because I was in it. They did a little write up about me and even took my picture, I guess that is one way to get known around Iceland, or at least in the school. The vice principal of the school though that was not fair, she has never been interviewed, or written about in the newspaper. The evening of the 25th I attended a lecture at the National Archives, hosted by the ættfræðifélag (genealogy group), which was about Icelanders that traveled west in the 1870's. I thought I would have known more but it was more about the earliest travels. To various locations in the USA and early Canadian settlements in Ontario. Jonas Thor was the speaker and even though he could not stay very long the lecture was very interesting especially because I was not aware of how many places were tried before they decided on Gimli.

Friday Oct. 26th about 20 of the staff met at a bar downtown, it was nice to get together and I was so happy that we didn't even talk about work. The beer tasted so good even at $7.00cdn, I would have stayed longer but I was invited out for a traditional Icelandic supper of lifrapylsa(liver sausage) blodmur(blood sausage) and turnips. It was great and the evening was very enjoyable. I always have fun with the uncle of my "Icelandic" mamma; Gisli is like a walking encyclopedia. He is so knowledgeable and always interesting. He knows so much it amazes me. I think he should write a book, I would be sure to buy a couple books, one for myself and give a few away.

Sat. the 27th I continued my travels by going with the English teachers again, this time we went to Borganes. While they worked at teaching I explored and took pictures. It is not that big a town but it is very interesting and quite historical. I enjoyed the day; it is one of those places you often just drive through and never have time to explore. The fall colors were beautiful and the weather was agreeable. In the town park is a grave that dates way back, Skallagrimur Ulfarsson, is included in some of the old sagas. Many of the streets even have names originating in the sagas. I was to be back at the school at 5pm. I was informed we were going over to a teachers for coffee. I am not one to turn down coffee, even though I had a few cups that afternoon. Well as per normal Icelandic hospitality it was not just coffee, but a full supper. A rack if lamb, it was excellent. I must also mention the house; it was up on a hill right by the ocean. I can honestly say it had to have had the best view of the ocean in town. The art on the walls and the library were awesome. The teacher's son and family lived downstairs so they joined us for supper. She was a very gracious host and I will remember that visit for a long time. We didn't get home too late but I was beat, watched some TV and crashed.

Sunday, I made a reappearance at Brautarholt a Skeidum. I had not been there since the rettir (sheep herding celebration). I guess I wasn't too bad, there was no wanted posters, with my picture on, up that I could see. It was my friends' daughter's birthday. We had coffee and a nice visit. Settling in so I had to buy a plant to brighten up my room.

Weekends are too short here like in Canada, Monday, back to the grind and this time with a twist. Not long after I started the rector came in and asked if I do him a favor and work the switchboard, the regular secretary was off sick but she would be in the afternoon. Me answering phones, wow. I handled it ok I think. I made a couple mistakes. Cut a few people off, and told quite a few people to call or come back again after lunch, what a cop out. It was a long 2 1/2 hours but I did learn lots. It did not take long for them to ask me to do it again, on Wed; I had to man the phones but only for 1/2 hr so it was a breeze. Back to Monday, the afternoon was back to normal, except that I realized one thing. I speak more French here than I do in Canada. There are a couple of teachers from France and they prefer speaking to me in French, I guess that is good practice for me. One even brought me an article the other day from LeDevoir in Montreal about the US actions in Afghanistan. He is very much against what the US is doing and so was the article. I can read French better than speaking it but maybe my practice here will help.

October 31st no Halloween, there was some decorations set up in the school by the students, even a few pumpkins but they actually had a Halloween dance on Thursday night the 1st of November. It must have been a pretty good time because attendance was very poor at school on Friday. November 1 was the first time I caught the bus to school, I always walk, and it takes me 20 to 25 minutes. It was pouring rain and thought I might as well try it. I was really early but I was able to get some training in by one of the custodians as far as opening the school in the mornings.

Finally the weekend arrived again, no trips were planned but there was a lot to do in Reykjavik, the day started at the Icelandic Phallological Museum, yep sounds weird. One of the teachers at MH, the school I work at, is the proprietor and is always asking when I am coming for a visit. It is actually quite interesting. Most of the exhibit is specimens from whales, seals and mammals in Iceland. There is no human specimen yet, there are 3 letters of donation on the wall though, one from an Icelander, one German and on British. There is also about 100 "artistic" artifacts on display but nothing erotic is on open display. There is a small display case covered with a black cloth that houses a few artifacts but it is up to the individual whether they want to look or not. Things a guy has to do for a story, gosh. Well from there I met my friend Villy at an opening of an art show. She is actually a dual citizen, French and Canadian, her name is Dominique Ambrose. Her husband is Icelandic and there was lots of Icelandic expression in her paintings. Then we were off to a photo show. It was different, the photographer was British I think, Roni Horn and his them was water, and it was different. He put numbers on different aspects of the pictures and explained each in detail, in English. At that gallery was also a really weird display, I am attaching a picture as it is hard to explain. It looks like someone just closed up a hole in the wall with bricks and all you can hear is a baby crying behind the brick wall, the artist is Ragnar Kjartansson and the piece is called "Hurt The One You Love", WEIRD... Well for a finally we attended the Reykjavik Museum of Photography, there was a show opening there as well. The who's who of photography in Iceland was there, and the show is very impressive as well. I can't turn down free wine either. I had the honor of meeting and chatting with the Mayor of Reykjavik, as she opened the show. Yes I guess you can say I live a busy life all in the name of journalism of course. After a pizza at Pizza 67, we headed for Kaffi Reykjavik, there was no show there but beer was on sale. It is not often you get 1/2 liter of beer for less than $5 cad, so a person has to have a taste. Well it has cooled off a bit, snow fell yesterday and it snowed even more today. It will probably rain tomorrow, but it was nice and white for a few days. The pond also froze on the weekend and the days are getting really short now.

Until next time,

Kent