Day 3 – 2012/July/31

                Thora has arrived today, also spending the next 3 weeks with us in Roro’s house.  She is a Norwegian Priest.  We were able to talk briefly around dinner (she spent the late afternoon resting after her arrival).  She had previously been an Icelander, but could not make ends meet here as of 2010, so she moved to Norway.  We talked about climates there, here, Romania, and the US.  She brought with her a block of cheese, roughly the color of caramel.  The only odd thing about it was that it also TASTED like caramel.  With the texture of cheese.  Delicious.

                I have enrolled in a second “class”.  Some of the other students that are here for 3 weeks only showed interest and found a group of missionaries here that teach Icelandic.  I am curious how their approach differs from LST… and so on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I will be learning the language.  And it will be interesting to see the how everybody interacts.

                Another success for the day involved a couple realizations.  I finally was able to receive news about my luggage.  Yes, only news.  It arrived at 6:30 this morning to the Keflavik airport.  But it appears nobody has looked at it apart from scanning it upon arrival.  Maybe it will arrive tomorrow.

                The other realization came while reviewing its trip into Iceland.  From being in a location where it could make a direct trip, it was instead sent to JFK, into Toronto, and THEN up to Keflavik.  I thought to myself odd that it was in New York, lost, and wound up in Canada.  Without its passport.  Like Adam.  J  I have already told Adam this (via Facebook), and told him that I was at least glad that he didn’t accidentally wind up in Iceland.

                Reykjavik is a big swimming town.  There are public pools all over the place that are heated by the district heating system (ie geothermally).  One person in class had the notion to go visit every pool.  Since the “Heated Beach” is right behind the University, we all decided that it may be a good idea to eat a quick lunch, and spend the rest of our hour lounging in the pool.  Not bad!

                Some of the others in the class have begun to referring to Mircea and I as brothers since we live together and have similar interests.  I find the notion funny; but given the less adventurous disposition of the rest of the class, my feelings of being blessed on this trip have been much reinforced.

                We finally rented some bikes today; and paid even less than I was expecting we would pay.  Mine’s name is “Becky” I was told – for there was a girl from Canada a couple years ago that rented the exact same bike for 6 months straight.

                And Mircea and I have begun planning the extent of our weekend trips…  3-day backpacking trip between 2 volcanoes…  and a biking adventure back from the Golden Circle.  My only concern is that I do not know how to incorporate a visit to the Blue Lagoon.  But I will find a way!

PS – and for the record, I am thankful for the clothing I have bought in the past.  I scoffed a little when I saw my underwear advertised as “needing only 2 pair- one to wear while the other is drying after being washed in the sink.”  I scoff no more.