Fra Bergen...

First entry of the new year...

Speaking of which, have you ever wondered why the formula is "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" but not "Happy Christmas and Merry New Year"? Not that finding an answer to this would be very relevant, but still, one wonders... Perhaps what people are really saying when they exchange this words is simply "Hey, I'm thinking of you at this time" (for whatever reason that may be).

Anyway, am in Bergen right now. These last 20 or so days have definitely included some variety. On my way to Valencia from Tromsø, stopped in London and met with Gerardo, a friend from my own years as a UWC student. Since i practically wheezed through the city, we didn't have time for more than one afternoon together, but we did have a couple of beers and a nice chat. Weird thing, the way it goes with old UWC friends when they meet again. We hadn't talked in quite a while and we have both obviously changed very much since our highschool days, yet it was easy to reconnect. Cheesy as it may sound, i still believe that what we shared in those two years was so fundamental that it will always form a kind of link with my mates from that time, no matter how long the intervening months or years stretch (roll your eyes all you want).

The Gerardo i remembered was very carefree and somewhat cynical... The one i met now said he was worried about the time he had "wasted", but a little less pessimistic, less guarded with his emotions (and he's living in England! go figure...). Physically, he hasn't changed much, and he still has the same quirky sense of humour i remember. It is good to know he's out there, you know? Do you ever get that feeling about distant friends? That you don't need to talk to them all the time -- not even so often, but that it makes you happy just to know that they are alive.

And then, Valencia. Spent almost two weeks with my brother Leandro and his wife, Celia. I love those two. They're really in love with each other.