People here are so interesting. I guess it’s like any small town that has suffered from an economic decline. It’s filled with dirt roads and old men who hobble around in small groups, talking about their former lives. There are a few younger couples with kids. It seems like they came home from Reykjavik to help their parents age well.
The bed and breakfast I’m staying at is quaint. Like most of the other homes in this sleepy little town, it’s bright and boxy. And has an air about it that makes it feel older than it is. The roof has a slight green tinge to it from the moss and the windows are a bright white. When I laid down on the bed, I felt like I was meant to be here. It could be that the mattress is much nicer than the one I have at home. but it could also be that I haven’t had a bed to myself for a while and I enjoy the extra space.
An older couple runs the bed and breakfast. There is a teenager that helps around the house named Aldan who might be a grandson. I’m not sure yet. They appear too old to have a son, but the people here look weathered, so they could be in their late 50s or early 70s. The older woman Halla, runs the bed and breakfast while her husband Finnr helps out from time to time. From what I’ve seen, he enjoys hanging around his boat in the vacant lot to the east, tinkering with it. It seems like it hasn’t seen water in a while, so I can’t imagine that he’s doing much.
Neither of the adults speak English very well, which isn’t a huge problem. I bought a language guide that had important phrases, but I left it in my bag when I saw how difficult it was to say anything useful. It’ll be fine. Aldan’s English is excellent, so he’s been my go-to for all the questions I have.
Oki still hasn’t called. I haven’t called her either. We are living in two different time zones, but usually we would have talked by now. It feels like it’s becoming a competition to see who can outlast the other.
I should really take some photographs of the town.