Interesting Observations

Ski Area Near Reykjavik (Bláfjöll)

This rediculous band that was playing at Bláfjöll. Screaming heavy metal, with (apparently) very graphic
lyrics, playing to a family audience. Strange choice, to say the least!

Typical kitchen scene

Apparently the soccer and rugby games playing at this bar were enthralling!

The other day, Libby and I were talking about all the funny Icelandic things that we were beginning to take for granted, but that we really didn't want to forget upon our departure. To prevent that fate, I decided to create a little list of curious things I have repeatedly observed or experienced! Hopefully some of these things will help you guys develop your pictures of what life is truly like in this part of the world.

Here we go:

1. People leave decked out baby carriages outside of stores and coffee shops. At first I thought they were just parking them there without the child, but I've since realized that the baby is usually still inside the stroller! Goes to show how confident people are about Iceland's safety... Imagine leaving your tiny baby unattended on a street downtown in some US city!

2. People seem to have no fear about walking on the ponds near downtown, even when they have JUST frozen over. One day, on our way home from downtown, we noticed some hubbub on the ponds and went over to check it out. Lo and behold, some people had decided to ride their Icelandic ponies onto the lake and had crashed through!!!!!! Luckily, it looked like they were able to rescue them reasonably unscathed.

3. People roll their bright yellow Bonus grocery baskets around on little wheels.

4. Icelanders love their super jeeps and monster trucks... definitely surprising.

5. Many Icelanders frequently gasp a little "Ja" (pronounced yaow) as you talk to them, which is a little disconcerting at first. Since I realized I wasn't frightening them with what I was saying, I've begun to like it.

6. Icelanders love their kaffi (coffee) and our (new) volcanology professor is always encouraging us to drink it up.

7. There is an ungodly amount of throwup all over the bar streets on Friday and Saturday night.

8. Special little trucks drive downtown to open up shop at about 1 am so that people can buy ridiculously expensive, but tasty, "boat" sandwiches.

9. The downtown pizzaprontos are absolutely HOPPING at night. They have an incredibly distinct smell.

10. You can hardly find a car that looks like it is more than 5 years old.

11. Many Icelandic girls are bullys at night. Apparently I don't look very intimidating, because they don't hesitate for a moment before shoving me out of the way with a good deal of force. (I'm sure this isn't universally true, but it sure is noticeable).

12. There is essentially no visible homelessness.

13. When the wind is blowing in the right direction from the harbor, the area around campus can smell unbearably fishy (think Old Town Newport X5)

14. When people exercise (especially footballers, it appears), they tuck their pants into their tall socks.

15. Black, grey, and buff are the colors of choice for clothing.

Hmm... I am sure there are more things, but I can't seem to think of them right now. When I do, I'll add to the list. I'm antsy to get out of Reykjavik this weekend, but the weather isn't exactly conducive for hitchhiking (windy, windy with slushy rain). I think some of us might just take a day trip to some place we can get to on a city bus, but we shall see. Life is becoming a bit more complicated (but exciting) because of all the visitors that are beginning to roll in. We have 4 coming next week, including Myrica and my mom! I can't wait! They begin the journey a week from tomorrow. It is going to be so fun to have people to show around.

Things have gotten a little bit busier in the school department (much to my delight!) with final projects beginning to ramp up. We have an absolutely baffling volcanology project (we don't think the professors even know what they want because they have a knack for contradicting one another), but I am just going to try not to stress about it. I'm sure whatever I do will be fine (hopefully!).

Oh! Yesterday I raced another 10k, which was a delight! I suffered a little bit and struggled to stay in race mode when it began to get tough, but I still ran a decent time. Apparently, there is another 10k in Selfoss in two weeks, so I think I will plan on doing that-- especially because it is rumored that they serve cake and pie at the finish line! That is my kind of race!

I just came upstairs from eating dinner with my vegetarian cooking club (tonight, Paddy had concocted a yummy couscous dish) because a few people were beginning the process of cooking horse. Not only does horse stink but it just makes my stomach turn to think about the animal that is lying there on the cutting board. I had similar difficulties when everyone trooped off to this super fancy restaurant for a free meal of whale and potatoes. I felt sort of bad for not trying it, but I just didn't think that eating a whale was worth the cultural experience. Christian, Libby, and I (the non-meat people of the bunch) walked them to the restaurant and then stood outside the restaurant debating about whether or not to go in and sit with them while they ate the free meal. After much indecision, we decided to go in, but immediately turned around when we walked in and saw steak after steak of whale and a crowded, small restaurant. We walked on to a different place and drank delicious, hot chocolate instead... I don't think we made the other people feel like we were judging them for eating the whale, but it was just something that none of us felt like we could justify.

Ah the smell of horse is penetrating the hallway.... I think I might go pop into the steamy shower. Looking out my window, I see rain just RIPPING in front of the street lights. It's actually kind of a cozy sight, especially since it is coupled with the wind whistling through my windows! I'm glad that I am warm in my cute room!