The First Thirty-Nine

I have been in Iceland for just about 39 (give or take a half hour or two). The question on everyone's mind (er... at least my parents, a sister, and a few friends here and there) is... how do I like it?

Coming to Iceland was like a first date. Leading up to it I was excited, yet reserved, and not wanting to read too much into things (though the prospects were promising). And just like my real dating life, I tried to play it coooool. But then I got here, and I quickly saw how much I was digging this metaphorical first date even though it wasn't quite what I expected. As in real life when unexpectedly good dates happen, I tried to shake it off, play it down, or somehow convince myself it's not quite as fantastic as it was. It didn't work.

I love it here. There, I said it. If it were a boy I would write his name all over my binder and secretly start planning the wedding.

I was expecting to feel just the lightest tinge of touristy culture shock which I knew would eventually fade once I learned the ropes of my new life. This didn't happen. I immediately felt comfortable and... well... unremarkably regular. H mentioned to me as I went to bed last night how normal it felt that I was here, that it almost felt as if I'd always been here and it was hard to think I had only arrived a half a day earlier. And I have to agree with her. I don't feel out of place... I feel like I'm home and always have been.

Curious things I have discovered about Iceland so far (subject to change):
- It smells like the ocean and sulfer, but in an oddly fresh way.
- The water smells, but doesn't taste, like sulfer.
- It's lighter for longer than I expected. It's "day" from around 10:00am to 6:00pm.
- There are A LOT of parks around here (today I passed through 4), and they are EXACTLY what I wish I would have had around as a kid growing up. I'm sure I'll post much more on that later.
- It's warmer than in Utah. It feels almost like the chilly beginnings of Spring!
- I can not phonetically read any street sign (or word for that matter).
- I'm pretty decent and rolling my Rs. However, many Icelandic words end with a rolled R, and I have found out I am NOT good at the timing of that mouth formation.
- They have an old Norse winter holiday called Thorri that runs from mid January through mid February, which just so happens to be this time of year. It's been really fun to hear about and see the different traditions.

Speaking of Thorri, yesterday was bollur day (englishly speaking of course, I don't know what it's properly called in Icelandic though I was told over and over and over again). Bollurs are much like cream puffs or eclairs (though Iceland is familier with neither I found out). H, S, and R made some for us to indulge in. They were very satisfying with a spot of tea (I feel like I can say things like "spot of tea" now because I'm not in America anymore).

Today, after I was done with the morning cleaning and while everyone was at school and work, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful sunny day and go for a walk around downtown Hafnarfjordur. It only takes a few minutes to stroll down to the stores, bank, library, etc, but instead of stopping in, I soon found myself on the footpath adjacent to the harbor. I walked about a mile along the coast, soaking up the crisp spring-like air, and stopping every so often to take a picture. I even stopped and talked with a very lovely old man, though he didn't speak very much english.

A view of the North-West side of Hafnarfjordur from the harbor (I live on that side).

 If you were to turn to your right from this picture, and walk about 5 minutes, that's where I live.

I will always love dark, brooding, seascapes.

 There were very few houses or apartments on this side of the harbor, though I didn't get to walk very far down. It's one of the next places I want to explore.

Oh the texture of Iceland! (PS, totally loving the camera insert I got for my Osprey bag. No more enormous and conspicuous camera backpack for casual walks!)

Anyway, that just about sums up my first couple of days here. Tomorrow is another Thorri tradition much like Halloween. I'm excited to see R and S's costumes! They couldn't stop talking about their excitement (though it's probably more to do with candy than costumes).

Bless bless.