Landing landscapes

One of my favorite parts about travelling by plane is the landing. I love being able to have an increasingly closer look at the landscape below- whether it's composed of fields, lakes, ships, roads or buildings- and watch it come closer and closer, and yeah, bigger and bigger.

That's why I always hope for daylight and no rain at landing whenever I'm on a flight heading back home. Daylight and dry weather seem like two rather simple things but nonetheless they both happen to be rather scarce during Icelandic winter days. This Christmas flight I was in luck though. The sky was clear and the ground was covered in beautiful snow, creating a mix of sea, black shore and white fields.

Then I landed, walked out of the airport and was welcomed, if welcomed is the right word, with the near chronic +10 m/sec wind of my hometown, something I had completely forgotten about in all the excitement of finally going home. 

I let the cold wind annoy me for a  few seconds until I realized that I had actually missed it. Not much, no, I'm not that crazy. But a bit. To me the wind is an unmistakable part of home. Coming home during the winter wouldn't be the same without hearing the wind howling outside your window at least once while falling asleep, grateful for a warm cozy bed.

I'm pretty sure I'd think differently if I had to deal with it all year round. At least I have no recollection of loving it when I went through near daily battles with the wind over the control of car doors and flying hats. Once I even had to fight the wind over flying money, and I remember very well that while I was running into my neighbors' yard trying to collect my money from their trees and bushes there was absolutely no love for the wind in my heart. 

But I guess that's one of the perks of living abroad and only visiting home a couple of times a year; I can say that I like the wind... and actually get away with it.

xx

E

Anywhere in the world

Tonight I had an interesting discussion with some of my kitchen mates (I live in a student housing where I share a kitchen with other students). The question was asked: If you could be from any place in the world, what would it be?

Some countries got mentioned but when the turn came to me I didn't hesitate. Unlike the others I said I wouldn't change a thing, Iceland it is. The reason is simply that despite having lived in four other countries nothing comes close to beating home, even though I've really enjoyed my time in all of the places I've been. 

There's just something about it. The nature is truly one of a kind and I'll be the first to admit that I didn't appreciate its true beauty until I spent time away from it all. Only then was the first time that I saw the uniqueness about it.

Not only is the nature beautiful but you can also really grasp the power of it. That power is something that I haven't felt to as much extent in most other places. Maybe the emotional connection I have towards the country enhances that sense of natural power.  However I think the most deciding factor for me is the fact that you only needs to take a short walk outside of town to see clear examples of nature's power, such as lava rocks or strong ocean waves. 

That's how near the nature is. The nature is there, it's constantly present and constantly reminding you of itself, whether it's through stormy weather, northern lights or volcanic ashes settling down on your windowsill. 

Of course nobody's perfect, Iceland still has issues that need to be addressed whether they are economic, political or social.  When taken into a larger perspective these issues however become minor and to me mostly serve as a reminder of the privilege of being born in a safe and healthy environment.

The nature, the location, the size of the population, the language, the culture, the history. In my view all these things create some sort of quirkiness that makes it a privilege to be able to say this is where I'm from. To me this quirkiness gets confirmed in the reaction of almost every single person who asks me where I'm from. The reactions describe some fascination with a country that is so close but still so far away.

I'm a lucky one for being able to call this place my home and hopefully it won't be too long until I get to visit it again.

xx

E