FAR2.1: First Reflections

(I was absolutely shattered in this photo. I think it shows).

So, for all those who were worried that my new-found interest in video-blogging would mean an end to the traditional mitchenstein format – have no fear. I’ll still be blogging in the original way from time to time. I don’t want people to say they can no longer enjoy mitchenstein at work.

Well. I’ve now been in the Faroe Islands for nearly two weeks – I can’t believe that’s all it’s been. I can just about remember what my house looks like. To be honest, I found the first week or so quite difficult, which came as a surprise to me. Being in a new country is always a strange experience, but I’ve done it twice before (as part of my degree, I had to spend a year in Germany and Sweden) and I considered myself a bit of an old-hand, but nothing prepares you for feeling like a complete alien on new ground.

I decided straightaway that I would do everything in Faroese, which definitely makes things harder, but I know that come the time I have to go home, I’ll feel much better for having done that. And it is getting easier. The language situation here is actually quite confusing – while the people only speak Faroese between themselves, they all speak fluent Danish, and most TV, subtitles on films, books, etc. are in Danish. It can be pretty confusing to be watching the TV in Danish and then be asked a question in Faroese. I’m like ‘Er... hang on’. But it makes life exciting (that’s actually only the half of it, but I’ll come to that in a later post).

And the Faroese themselves? Have been nothing but welcoming. So many people have invited me into their homes and along to things that they’ve been doing, and I’m hugely grateful for that. So ‘thank you’ to any who may be reading this. The people are so friendly and genuine (and trendy, so I fit right in) – when they tell you that you should feel free to pop in any time, you know they actually mean it (although I’m much too English to ever actually do that).

I just majorly split that infinitive and it felt good.

One thing I’m learning about though is what they call ‘Faroese time’, which basically means that nothing happens at the time it’s due to. Add a good fifteen-thirty minutes to any stated time, and you’ll be on the right track. Get this Katie, here I actually have a reputation for being early.

I’ve decided to start a new blog in Faroese (mitchenstein í føroyalandi ‘mitchenstein in faroeland’). It’s purely for my own purposes – just to make sure I’m writing a little bit of Faroese on a regular basis. I’m not expecting anyone to read it. There won’t be anything interesting on it that won’t be on here, so don’t worry, you don’t have to learn Faroese (‘Phew,’ I hear you say).

I think that’s about it for now.

PS. I may be approaching 25, but we never stop learning as we go through life:

Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Girl who Shows You Her Outfit for Netball (Part 1)

‘It’s not very flattering, is it?’

I apologise again Stacey, it is SO not what I meant. What I actually meant to say was ‘It’s weird how it goes out at the sides’. I’ve learned from my mistakes.

PPS. My postcard wall’s looking bare... ;)