El Loop / Diario de una deriva (VI)

The Loop. Francis Alÿs

Subject: TIJUANA I JUNE

Sent: 6/1/97 3:42 AM

Received: 7/4/97 11:17 AM

From: FRANCIS deSMEDT ALYS

To: Olivier Debroise

TJ es un invento de America

Subject: MEXICO/3 JUNE 1997

Sent: 6/3/97 1:42 AM

Received: 7/4/97 11:17 AM

From: FRANCIS deSMEDT ALYS

To: Olivier Debroise

wherever you are is the entry point, she said.

The Art of Packing

Subject: PANAMA/ 10 JUNE 1997

Sent: 6/10/97 7:34 PM

Received: 7/4/97 11:17 AM

From: FRANCIS deSMEDT ALYS

To: Olivier Debroise

Loops are elusive. This journey makes me think

Of the infinite unfolding of a flying carpet

Subject: SANTIAGO AIRPORT / 11 JUNE 1997

Sent: 6/12/97 2:34 AM

Received: 7/4/97 11:17 AM

From: FRANCIS deSMEDT ALYS

To: Olivier Debroise

6.00 A.M.

It’s raining outside and I’m not ready to leave the airport yet.

7.20 A.M.

Still raining but I’m feeling more prepared.

I am now walking outside, following the main building. Taxis are on the other side of the street.

A couple drivers are waving at me.

I keep going.

My side is protected from the rain. Their side is not.

I make a left and start crossing the road. A car drives by and splashes me.

My left sox is soaking. I’m listening to the sloshing water in my shoe.

The visit is starting. Francis

Subject: SANTIAGO / 12 JUNE 1997

Sent: 7/12/97 5:25 AM

Received: 7/4/97 11:17 AM

From: FRANCIS deSMEDT ALYS

To: Olivier Debroise

…still concentrating on slowing down: walk at a tourist pace, eat 3 meals a

day, watch time’s disintegration, resist the temptation to zap all day in the hotel room. I am not yet able to get interested in the city. Maybe it’s still too familiar,too latin. Although it reminds me more of Switzerland.

Rain helps in a way;it

provides an excuse to hang around coffee places.Sex and coffee seem to be closely associated here, an exception to the general puritan atmosphere.

The center’s numerous galleries allow me to slip from one coffee bar to another,without feeling exposed to daylight. Still somewhere in limbos…

Subject: TAHITI / 13 JUNE 1997

Sent: 6/14/97 2:34 AM

Received: 7/4/97 11:17 AM

From: FRANCIS deSMEDT ALYS

To: Olivier Debroise

I am woken up and asked to leave the plane for a couple hours for hygenic reasons.

Very night, 35 Celcius.I order a Pernod in a bambu bar from a fake Vahina waitress.She’s a native from Tourcoing,from the North. I’ve been there.