Lately one of Mackenzie's favorite mantras, "one must be flexible and adaptable", has characterized the beginning of our residency. Ron arrived in Finland successfully last week, while Mackenzie, who was scheduled to fly out last Friday night, is still in NYC. The volcano in Iceland which we will refrain from mentioning the name, not only because it has become a bit of a curse word around the world, but also because the spelling is just ridiculous.
So far, Ron's observational list from his first few days in Rauma include:
1) An abundance of all things white and blue, road signs, business logos, buses, and of course flags
2) That he is not blonde
3) That the trees in Finland grow completely straight
4) That almost all the houses in rural areas are red
5) That it is not done snowing (on Saturday after dropping one of the bikes off in old town to have its snow tires removed, it began to snow clumps the size of ping pong balls)
Already he has had the opportunity to purchase some traditional Rauma food from the market. We are in luck because the director's husband is a chef, and he only sells this meal twice a year at the local market. Also, he has also been overwhelmed by the vast amount of left over art supplies from previous residents. Stay focused, Ron.
Mackenzie, stranded in NYC, is so thankful for her dear friends who have been putting her up for the past few days. The minute she found out she was going to stay in NYC a bit longer she has been trying to fill her time with useful things. Seeing old friends, eating dumplings in China Town, working a bit with New York State TESOL. However, she really can't wait until she can get over to Finland and get to work!
Yeah I was wondering how you guys made out with that. Of all the bizarre things to occur right when you're heading out. I don't think a volcano with a name that cannot be pronounced by a human tongue was on anyone's radar as a possible hang-up. That's life I guess. I hope Finland treats you well. And may Mackenzie pass safely through the death clouds of CO2, glass, charred dinosaurs and radioactive lightning (possibly?) that is currently descending on Northern Europe. See you both in June.
ReplyDeleteMikey
Wow, the bikes there have snow tires??? Are they bicycles or Harleys??? Either way, that's pretty cool (even though snow in April is definitely NOT cool)--glad you (finally) got there o.k. Mackenzie!
ReplyDeleteRegarding red houses, I have an interesting historical note. At least in New England, and so I would guess in Old Europe as well, barns and inexpensive houses were traditionally painted Oxblood red, because the color was the cheapest available, being derived from relatively abundant livestock blood. Green was one of the most expensive colors, as the color was derived from copper, and so you tended to see it only in small amounts in sheltered places where it could still serve as a public status symbol, usually eve-covered front doors and indoor front landings.
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