Sunday, November 24, 2013

Quirky keyboard



Quirky. That’s the first word that springs to mind when I think of Iceland. Raw and beautiful, sure, but quirky most of all.



I love the sly sense of humour that comes across so well from the people, the friendliness, and the laid back attitude.



For someone who’s used to travelling to the States and being grilled by Immigration on the way in, the bare glance given to my passport at Keflavik was a surprise, the way the bus driver forgot to apply the handbrake when he stopped to let someone out on a hill on the way to our hotel, the way we were told to leave coats hanging on an open rack because “there is no crime in Iceland” was all a delight.



Of course, considering I am in Rekjavík for Iceland Noir, Iceland’s first festival of crime fiction, that’s a bit of a drawback. Still, better for all the crime to be committed on the page than on the streets—especially considering the long dark winter nights that are the current norm.

Getting to see fellow Murder Is Everywhere blogger Yrsa Sigurðardóttir is one of the highlights, but everything about this small country (and I’m talking population here—only around 325,000 people in total, most of whom live in or around the capital city) is a joyful experience.


I particularly liked the way they offered to sell you Icelandic Fresh Air at one of the gift shops, that the taxi drivers take a casual short cut through a supermarket car park to avoid waiting at traffic lights, and that there’s a sign in my hotel room saying that although the name Rekjavík translates to Smoky Bay because of the steam from the hot springs, smoking in my room was not allowed.


Maybe it’s the fact that at 10am you have to resist the urge to whisper in the streets because it feels like nobody is up yet, but at 3am the following morning they’re all still partying in the bars and restaurants.



Quirkiness presents itself in the way a bit of string is all that separates you from the 100degree water at the Geysir, and a smilingly delivered warning not to get wet. Or not to stand too near the edge of the drop-off into the freezing glacier-fed Gullfoss waterfall.


As I write this I have moderated one panel, for which I had to demonstrate a certain amount of moderation, and am waiting to appear on another panel, for which I am allowed to show no moderation at all. Later we have a trip laid on to try to capture the elusive Northern Lights.



Tomorrow, all too soon, I fly home to what will probably be a colder climate, with less humour and more rain. But a little bit of me will always remain in Iceland. I expected to be interested. Instead I find myself enthralled.

This week's Word of the Week is blamestorming, which is to sit around in a group discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.


25 comments:

  1. You and Yrsa in the same spot at the same time is a NOT TO BE MISSED MOMENT. Which of course I missed :(( Next year in Rekjavik is my new motto.

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  2. It was a fun event, Jeff. I did my best to Lower The Tone, as is my want. And no Northern Lights this time, which is as good an excuse to come back here as any!

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  3. I will join you next year Zoe....and lower the tone even more...
    Ps If you leave that Soviet coat of yours on a peg near me, I will nick it you know...

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    1. Sounds like a plan, Caro! It was great fun, even without the Northern Lights show.

      I may fight you for the coat, though ... :))

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  4. I am so envious! And here's fair warning - I too will be buying Fresh Icelandic Air next year. But the real question is what can we bring to Iceland that will make Yrsa turn up her nose?

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    1. I could bring some Officially Hazardous Beijing Air. What do you say?

      And yes, I so hope to be there next year!

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    2. How about some particularly elderly Roquefort? Or Epoisses?

      "One of Napoleon’s favourites, Epoisses is definitely one of the smelliest cheeses you can find. Just so you get an idea of its repulsive odour, you should know that Epoisses has been banned from public transportation vehicles all over France. It is made from raw cow’s milk and its rind is washed with pomace brandy."

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    3. Anyone who deeply inhales the sulphurous air of Iceland may not be put off by Bejing air, Lisa, however hazardous!

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  5. I can't wait to have you all here - despite it looking as if you intend to be bringers of bad cheese and bad air. On the subject of the coat - Óli tried to steal it but had no luck. Damn shame.

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    1. I know, Yrsa, I was prepared to arm-wrestle Oli for the coat, Yrsa, it's the warmest piece of clothing I own -- possibly with the exception of my motorcycle jacket, but that is not floor-length!

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  6. I sense a critical mass forming that the world is not prepared to handle. When is it next year?

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  7. I will know tonight and will post the date here to make sure none of you have any excuses.

    In other news I just learned that the Sunday Times selected my book Someone to watch over me as crime book of the year! Yoo hoo!

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    1. THAT'S BLOODY FANTASTIC. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

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    2. Woo-hoo! Congratulations, Yrsa! And well-deserved, if I may say so :))

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  8. Brava, brava, brava Yrsa - must be all that fresh Icelandic Air with heaps on talent, of course. I'll bring the Epoisses

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    1. Re the Epoisses. Oh dear God. What have I done ... :))

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  9. Oh, I would give my eye teeth to be there with you guys. I would never stop laughing. Iceland looks pretty beautiful to me.

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    1. I did my best to make awful jokes, lil. And Iceland was absolutely beautiful. Even the aluminium plants at night :))

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  10. Congratulations! That is wonderful news - it is good to see someone has such good taste!

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    1. As long as we're talking about Yrsa's book and not the stinky cheese, Stan ...

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  11. Wonderful news, Yrsa! I'm also looking forward to Iceland Noir in 2014!
    Michael.

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  12. Cara, please do bring the Epoisses. I will buy us a bottle of Montrachet. If the others run from the aroma, there will be more for us!

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