“That we leave our homes, that we step through our doors to the world, that we travel our whole lives not because we want to collect exotic T-shirts, not because we want to consume foreign adventure the same Western way we consume plastic and Styrofoam and LCD TVs and iPads, but because it has the power to renew us—not the guarantee, not the promise, just the possibility. Because there are places our imaginations can never construct for us, and there are people who we will never meet but we could and we might. It reminds us that there is always reason to begin again.” - Stephen Markley, Tales of Iceland or "Running with the Huldufólk in the Permanent Daylight"
March 4, 2019 According to my iPhone's countdown clock I have 19 days, 12 hours, 34 minutes and 16 seconds until Dadda and I reconnect face to face! We have kept in close contact, texting, SnapChatting and emailing these past few months and the time has simply flown by! Life finds it's own rhythm, commitments reinstate, and the Earth spins once again as though a life changing experience did not just happen...except it did, and you are forever changed as a result. I am very excited to share that my ticket is booked, my blog is back up and running, and my new hikers are ready to hit the trail - Iceland is under three weeks away! Are the ready for me? Time will tell. ;O) When this whole process began, Dadda and I had a mere few weeks to get to know each other digitally, share plans, hopes and insights, build an itinerary and clean the house. (Ok, ok, that was on MY list, not hers!) Now, months after our initial exchange we are ready for Exchange 2.0 and, if it is possible, even more excited to spend time together! Our families feel like they know each other, to do lists are being crafted, and my Google searches have a very predictable focus, ready or not Akranes HERE I COME! With two lighthouses, a folk museum, never ending views of the Atlantic, and my adopted Icelandic family, Akranes is a perfect backdrop for the second half of our exchange. Staying true to how we started this adventure, Dadda and I began planning 2.0 using a Google Doc. Below is a capture of our conversation (edited for length!)
Dear Aubrey, Now it is my turn in asking the questions :) I have a lot of answers in the google docs sheet we used in september but I have questions about the school and what you want to see during your stay. 1) What are you most hoping to see, experience, talk about? I am looking forward to seeing your school in action. I want to learn about how you support students that struggle and see how you work with bilingual students. I want to talk more about where you find yourself up against old impressions and outdated pedagogy. I want to celebrate the path you’ve traveled and see your passion inside a school’s walls. Our role can be quite lonely, I look forward to chatting with you about how you are working to make a difference at your school and for your students. 2) Would you like to visit a Kindergarten? ABSOLUTELY!!! I would LOVE to see a KG and experience how your system works with its youngest learners. It is also really important to me though that I don’t disrupt the learning for ANY students. I want to be present, and throw myself into the experience but not at the expense of learning for children. That being said, if I can get messy with the little guys I would come home with a huge smile! 3) If you could go anywhere in Iceland, or experience anything, what would it be? Iceland is a very small country so fire away :) I want to experience Iceland as you see it. I would love to take photos of the northern lights and the amazing landscapes, the place where the tectonic plates meet but I really just want to see the places you value, you hold close to your heart. Ok, I really want to see your lighthouses in Akranes too ;O) we will take a walk to the lighthouse. 4) What do you know, or believe to be true, about the people in Iceland? I believe that the people are friendly and fairly open to others. I think we will have more in common than not and I think we value family, work-life balance and nature in the same ways. I think that your education system is dedicated to working with all students and hoping to gain some understanding of how being in a somewhat isolated country affects your connections to the world and other systems. If your family is anything to go by, I think people in Iceland are fun, work hard and dedicated to enjoying their life. I think they are minimalist, they don’t need a lot of “things” but would prefer to spend time with people, not money on physical items. I think they THINK they have mountains….but we know different ;O) I think they are likely very forward thinking in their social structure, taking care of their children and elderly with equal compassion. You mentioned that they speak english as a result of western influences like tv and movies. I wonder if they think we are more like US citizens? As people, we are more like you than Americans….They will find out when they meet you that Canadians are not like the US. Then, when I thought things were moving along quite well, Dadda drops a bombshell... We will go to Bessastaðir (drink coffee with the president and his Canadian wife!) and from there to the Blue Lagoon. Ummmmm...WHAT?? You see, when we were in Lake Louise in October we were chatting about how the Icelandic president married a Canadian girl, Eliza Reid, from Ottawa. I joked that maybe I should email her and ask if she wanted anything from home? Tim Hortons? Coffee Crisp? Ketchup chips? Well, it seems I need to find room in my suitcase for a dress (that goes with my winter boots?) as we will be visiting the President, First Lady and their 4 children when we are there. OMG.....is there etiquette for that? Do I curtsy? What kind of gifts should I bring? Do they care if I have toque-head?? So so so many questions....but I know I will be in good hands. Dadda won't let me make a fool of myself. Too much. I think. I hope. Hello Siri? What is the protocol for meeting the Icelandic president? https://www.macleans.ca/politics/liza-reid-on-life-as-icelands-canadian-first-lady/
Wish me luck and, if you are like me and tiring of this arctic weather, come to Iceland its -5 right now! Nothing like going to the Arctic Circle for a balmy winter holiday! More coming soon....
5 Comments
Jody
3/5/2019 22:03:32
I wonder if the fire alarm will go off 3 times in one week to welcome you????
Reply
Aubrey
3/5/2019 22:27:04
Only if I’m very, VERY lucky! At least it won’t be our stress to handle this time! 😉
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Dadda
3/19/2019 17:14:26
I hope not :) We have had a few fire alarms this school year.
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Charlotte
3/21/2019 20:23:53
Dadda
Reply
Charlotte
3/21/2019 20:10:56
Omg... I almost forgot about that! I hope that doesn’t happen.
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AuthorAubrey: "Leader of the Elves"....that's me. Mom of two amazing guys, wife to one bigger (yet no less amazing) guy and teacher of little ones. Blogging about the adventures (usually with my rubber chicken in tow) is one of my favourite things. Archives
April 2019
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