Annoyance

I went to pick up a hold from the library today and when I printed out the "receipt" it said I have a fine of 800 kr, which is about $10. I have no idea where this came from, although I read somewhere that some libraries charge for transferring books. But between library branches? That's kind of weird. It's things like these that are really nervant, not being able to read the language and not knowing what is the cultural norm for something as technically quotidien as bringing a book closer to my branch.

Lesson #1: Geologists Walk Quickly

I've come back from 5 days of touring around southern Iceland. It was with the department of natural sciences at the university so it was scientific but it's the cheapest 5 days of touring I think I will ever get. We went to Skaftatell National Park, where we hiked to see Selfoss and outlets of Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Iceland. We went on a glacial lagoon boat tour and to some pretty remote areas. We went into the highlands, to Landmannalaugur and all the sights in the Golden Circle.

It was all good, but the most interesting thing was the cultural experience. For the first time in my life, I was the only native English-speaking North American and also the only Asian (I hate using the term 'Asian' but seriously what else can I use, "Oriental Person" to categorize someone not from the west?)

People's native languages were all different, but they were all communicating effectively all thanks to English. They would sometimes ask me how a term was used or the spelling of a word. They would also have never heard of a technical term such as "chisel". It felt really weird though because long after the British Empire has fallen, the legacy of Imperialism has really left its mark. First, with them all speaking in English but also with me, a person who has Chinese blood but Canadian nationalism, telling Europeans how to spell English words. It was definitely surreal.

Then there was this one guy from Dijon in France who seemed really proud of the town's namesake mustard. He's like, "You know Dijon? Everybody knows the mustard from Dijon." and then some other girl tried explaining to someone else in the group was mustard was, so she started saying, "You know the hot dogs that you eat?" and then the French guy cuts in, "Oh no, that's definitely not mustard from Dijon." And then after about 10 more minutes telling everybody how delicious Dijon mustard is, he says, "But I don't like mustard."

Also, two people were incredibly fascinated by the sweet potato that we had to cook for dinner.

I'm sorry if this post sounds racist in a quasi sort of way, but I have never encountered this kind of experience in my life and might never again.

Ships!

One of the many reasons why I came to Iceland was because Reykjavik is a harbour "city" and I love harbours. There's a blog called Reykjavik Harbor Watch that I read frequently.

Here are some pictures I took during my first lazy Sunday in the city by the sea.

Pictures from First Day

Here's some pictures I stole from Adam's camera. He must have an awesome camera. Pictures are super clear.A Hanseatic ship. The Hansa was a trading guild in the middle ages in Germany that became very successful. My only visit to Germany included the Hanseatic cities of Bremen and Hamburg, so this picture, the first ship I saw in Reykjavik harbour, was pretty special to me.

There's Mount Esja in the background. It's a pretty European-looking street, eh?

There I am with Dan, walking towards one of the attractions by the lakeshore. There's black rocks everywhere. Presumably from volcanic remains? I should know.


The Viking ship sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason. Pretty impressive.

Everything in this entry was pretty, because Iceland is such a pretty, pretty place.

Here for the First Time?

Hey,
I hope more people are reading this blog than I think. Not like I'm Narcissistic or anything...but in case anyone asks WITWISK? you can point them to here.
Anyway I've got older entries at skma.travellerspoint.com

That is all for now.

Take care while I go bussing/farmhouse staying/sailing near glaciers,
Me

Wow this was a very egoistic entry. I recognize that and strive to never do it again.