-Jan 11th. `You won`t feel that way ten years from now!` A lady from overseas, married to an Icelander, who works at the post said that to me yesterday. Before that remark I said that I was content in Iceland, liked the people, etc. My immediate response was that I`ll cross that bridge when I come to it, kind of diplomatic yet at the same time trying to make a point. This lady was referring to the rudeness of Icelanders which to me has some truth but reflects that simplicity I often note here. Actually, her remark got me a bit angry though I did not reveal it. Quite a few foreigners who`ve married Icelanders share the same sentiment. They married a specific person who happened to be Icelandic. Then they set up home and a family here which for the foreigner necessitates getting acclimatized to a new environment and all that entails. After a short period of time there emerges a distinction between the spouse (being Icelandic) and the people who live here (also Icelandic). I.e., being married to one does not mean you like the country. I also suspect that in-laws play a larger role than admitted, for you don`t freely choose them but marry into them.

-Before leaving work yesterday evening several people quipped they were going to stay up to watch President Bush which in Iceland means 2 am (Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time). I took a quick glance on the Internet, depressing, and will get more depressed when I get more info. Of course, this will be re-enforced when talking with folks later on today. That`s one of the pleasures of working at the post, socializing, the best way to know a culture other than your own.