Chit-chat on a plane

I had just begun reading the front page of the paper on the flight from London to Dubai on December 29th when I got to chatting to the guy sitting next to me, an Irish guy in his 50’s. He found out I was from Iceland, and headed back to Dubai. That’s a bit of a hot spot for an Icelander, isn’t it? A bit, I said. How about yourself? Well, I was home with the family enjoying my Christmas holiday, but got called back to work, he said. What do you do? I’m the UN Chief of Security for Pakistan.

My eyes dropped to the front pages of our respective papers, each portraying separate shots of Benazir Bhutto accompanied by stories of mass rioting. I’m going to a hot spot?

Nice guy. Consults on international hostage negotiating (as you do), like the Koreans in Afghanistan. Also goes trout fishing in abandoned valleys 5,000 meters above sea level in the Pakistani mountains. Not a big Bhutto fan, but didn’t want to speak ill of the dead. Plus, he said, it’s a banana republic… what kind of a political process is it to pass on power to your son and spouse? There was a small pause - then I couldn't help but think outloud. Seems to be working for the US, no?

Was invited to go visit him in Islamabad. Tempting. Very, very tempting.

(The Wrong) Season's Greetings

Dear you,

(I´ve decided to come up with the concept of late online collective happy new year cards through a blog post, in celebration of the fact that I´m rubbish at christmas cards, which is sad, because they’re a huge tradition in my family [my grandparents send about 900] and I love getting them. Next year I will definitely send a bunch [OK, I say that every year]. And I’d love to get some myself [hopeful!])

My best wishes for the happiest of years.

(I actually thought about following that up with a preemptive happy next Christmas, but decided that would be too sad – it was half a sentence ago that I was promising myself to remember / find the time to send cards this year. And I love Christmas - spent this one back at home, as always. [I have repeatedly been threatened with losing my inheritance if I don’t, although my mother is beginning to realize how limited that threat is, given that there’s not much to have] I love being home – as usual I spent my time relaxing, visiting family, playing board games, walking the dogs, and eating far, far too much smoked lamb and a years supply of pork [I live in a Muslim country]. This time one of the highlight gifts was my sisters and me getting our mother a vacuum cleaning robot, which was a hit [it’s not easy keeping a tidy house with two dogs that are continually shedding black hair]. And as usual it was over much, much too soon. Fortunately leaving was slightly easier than usual, as my family is coming to visity me in a month. Can’t wait)

Thank you for the times we shared in years past – may there be many more in years to come.

(That one I sincerely do mean).

Áramótakveðja,

Magnús Dagur.