I had the great chance to travel around the country last week. From west to east and south to north. I spent 4 nights in cute little cottages with 2 friends of mine who came from the mainland. We had blazing sun, occasional showers, light clouds, thick fog, hail and even sand storms. I’ve seen things I have never seen before, familiar sceneries I saw with new eyes, landscapes varying in a different weather. Needless to say that this week flew away like wind blowing.
The few days following this break were supposed to be dedicated to pack my stuff at the office, say goodbye to colleagues and enjoy the few last game of pool in the basement. Instead I managed to get swamped into an heavy stress prior to a deadline. The results led to awkward moment, brief instant where nothing seemed to show that it was time for me to go. I barely, if not at all, say goodbye to anyone. As a matter of fact, I saw almost no one. Everyone was in meetings, working from home or god knows where. I forgot half of the things in my office and sort of went AWOL. To be honest I couldn’t care less. This past few months were not the best working-relation wise and I didn’t feel having been treated specially well. I just had time to speak with the very few people I cared about and that’s what matters to me.
On the other hand things went great at home. It’s the first time I am spending time in the house doing pretty much nothing else than cooking and going in town. It feels wrong but I succeed doing it. I am very proud to have managed avoiding any kind of dead boring ceremony for my leaving. I don’t count the number of people who asked me when was my goodbye party. Everybody expected me to host one of those big party our place is usually synonym of. A lot were disappointed, few understood. I don’t know why I hate those events. Likewise I don’t need to do a particular thing for one last time. What, on earth, would one have the urge to do one more time when living in Reykjavík for more than 3 years? I don’t see. The bank and the tax office turned out to be easier that I thought it would. Apparently I can still have full power over my bank accounts without being physically present. Icelandic bank security sucks, yes, but now I think it’s safe to say that no one would aim a coup in a shipwrecked icelandic bank. The same applied to my tax revenue: The old lady looked at me surprised when I ask what was the formality when one is leaving the country. She just told me that I would have to send my tax return via mail before next year’s deadline. Silly me, even after all those years living abroad I have the bad reflex a Frenchman has when it comes to paperwork. I am always expecting something long and painful. The last step will be the, oh so famous, kennitala to inactivate and I should be pretty much set.
I still have no clue what the following weeks will look like. Oddly enough I am not anxious about it. I am also very excited about the traveling I have ahead. I am looking forward going to Finland this summer. I have been to Finland countless time but Finnish summer is still something I am not familiar with. Of course, spending time with my friends will be the main point of the trip. It goes without saying that a week or two at my sis in Spain is mandatory for my quota of sun and heat. And finally because it’s generational, I will attend a wedding in south of France sometimes in July.
This summer feeling has inevitably been reflected in what turns into my playlist.
Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend has teamed up with Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot to create Discovery. “Osaka Loop Line” has some interesting computer effects, synthetic beats, and vocal distortions. It’s interesting to have a indie rocker going to something seriously electronic.
French electropop trio Pony Pony Run Run just released the single “Hey You”. The original version is most probably getting big in France as I accidentally heard it in Oui FM, my favourite Parisian local radio. I’m 100% positive this will be a summer hit.
