Jon was born in Western Iceland, close to an American Army base. This is how he learned English. On Snæfelsnes Peninsula where his parents still live. Where they have always lived? Maybe. I can’t remember. I am not sure anymore. Jon was born somewhere in Iceland et he speaks now seven foreign languages. Jon hitchhiked throughout Europe in the 1970’s. Jon cherishes every inch of his land of ice, that he can sometimes show to some wealthy travelers as a guide. Jon fell in love with photography a few years ago, he realized then he was able to notice the tiny detail that could change a picture. And his homeland gives him plenty of features to immortalize on a cold screen; therefore, Jon would like to buy a homely van and endlessly wander over Icelandic roads his pictures sublimate. And to his traveling home’s keys would hang a cheerful puffin, memory of my stay.
But for now, Jon left his dead car behind, in the middle of some Reykjanes volcanic range. For now, Jon can’t be nomadic, but he welcomes any traveler in his ephemeral home. Therefore, Jon was my extravagant Icelandic host. Jon is a smiley beard and funny eyes giant that knows everything about anything, that gives everything to anybody. Jon is a colorful character; his rumbling laugh and his soft and deep voice told me what I didn’t know about Iceland. Pangaea’s cracks. 1783 volcano that changed the world’s future. Each iced corner geological mysteries. He showed me stones’ faces, North legends, and I can’t look at an Icelandic landscape without seeing Elves and Trolls hidden in landforms anymore. Jon revealed to me Trolls’ big reunion frozen forever in sleeping rocks by summer sun at the end of the endless winter night; Jon explained to me that, like any tale, Icelandic myths were born to explain the inexplicable, to understand the incomprehensible. In the Old Days, Icelandic landscape was an inscrutable scenery that only Trolls’ and Elves’ magic could relate. And today, even if geologists may scientifically tells me about each lava layer and how ashes rose as a castle or a giant one day, I prefer Jon’s dreams. And mine.
Jon gave me a 2D google map visit of Iceland, spreading some clever advice for my upcoming wanderings. Jon lent me camping gears, gave me some itineraries and became my wanderings caring elf. Thus, if like me, Iceland is a bit too demanding for your wallet, if like me, you love to explore a country throughout locals’ face lines, you should visit Jon for a day or two, and let this tireless storyteller travel your soul. Thus, if you are wealthier, get in touch with Jon and choose him as your guide for a lava and stone Iceland, deep and genuine, and let this curious wise man blow up your mind.
Because my Iceland wouldn’t have been the same without Jon’s smile, his red coat and tobacco pipe.
Fleeting Wor(l)ds 