or how most of the NATO base in Keflavik is PCS-ing. For you non-military types (like me), that means a permanent change of station. Yes, the helicopters and planes are being redeployed elsewhere by no later than September of 2006.
Might not sound so big to the rest of the world, but it is sizeable news for this island. So, what does this mean for the Dinoia family?
Well, ironically, not as much as one might think. Recently, at least one member came to the conclusion that she was being a little too dependent on the base. The drives were getting to be longer and the rewards seemed to be fewer. We were utilizing the base to get all of our basic American needs, but those are the same things that in essence, we were trying to separate ourselves from by coming here.
I mean, really, Totino’s pizza rolls and TGIF’s spin dip are not necessary food groups. I am also better off drinking plain sodavatn (soda water), than constantly imbibing coca-cola products. Since I don’t like Icelandic coke, I only drink American coke. Well, did til I gave it up for Lent.
The more important point, though, is that it is hard to truly integrate oneself into a new society while still being so reliant on their home country. It is not hard to understand why people may feel that some Americans don’t try hard enough overseas. Some rely 100% on bases and other places and never even step foot outside the gates of their overseas American home. Which begs the question: why go there?
So, we, the Dinoia family, are trying to better ‘not stand out’. I can’t guarantee we will always succeed. Perhaps, though, by using and paying for more Icelandic resources and lessening our dependence on our own country to fulfill our every need, we might hear that famous quote just a little more often, "Oh, yeah, you blend!".
Oh, and more on the base closing can be found here, i.e., the border just got much farther away!
