My New Home!

It's a dream come true! I have already fallen in love with Groningen. People told me it was nice, but I cannot believe what a pleasant and lively little city I am going to live in for the next year. It seems like the perfect place to be a student and I am already looking forward to starting school in September.

For those of you who might not know much about Groningen, it's an old hanseatic city in the northeast of Holland and has a population of about 200,000. The city is very young with a student population of 40,000. The weather is unpredictable - one minute it's raining and the next sunny. Bikes have taken over the city - cars are actually not allowed in the downtown area. Groningen has been named the most biker friendly city - bikes definitely have the right of way. I read that 2/3 of the population use the bike as the main source of transportation. Biking can be a little stressful here, but I think I'm already getting the hang of it. Cozy cafes and pubs are everywhere you look. Impressive markets fill the city center like the famous fish market which I visited today (too bad I still don't like fish). I also feel like a midget - the Dutch are the tallest in the world, especially here in the north.

My journey here was really smooth although I was a bit tired after waking up at 3:30am. I was kindly greeted at the airport in Amsterdam by Lydia and her younger brother (I am subleasing Lydia's room while she is studying in Copenhagen). We drove to Groningen together which is a two hour drive (really far according to Dutch standards). Lydia helped me out so much! She moved out, I moved in, we saw a bit of the city, and ended the great day at a Mexican restaurant (I was so scared I would not have Mexican food for a year...ha). I could not have imagined a better first day thanks to Lydia and her brother. Dank je wel!

I am living with three Dutch girls, but none of them are currently home. It's pretty quiet but the days are busy and full of fun practical matters like my visa, bank account, etc. Nevertheless, things have been going rather well. I quickly learned that you can make friends fast if you speak Dutch here. It's been really fun surprising people here with the language. I have actually not heard any English throughout the city which is a bit strange after hearing a lot of English in Reykjavik, but it's kind of refreshing when learning a language. The people have been so friendly as well which I did not necessarily expect. People are eager to help you even if you don't ask for it and they just see you with a confused face and holding a map.

All in all, I think Groningen and I are going to get along just fine this year.



Lydia and her brother teaching me the proper way to double ride - I need some practice

My new school - Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RuG)

Home sweet home

Goodbye Iceland:(

My last weekend in Iceland was slightly depressing. After saying goodbye to both of my roommates, I had a lot of time to think about what an amazing month it indeed was. Yes, Iceland is a breathtaking country, but it was the relationships made in Iceland which gave me such a bittersweet feeling. I expected to go to Iceland and for some reason be alone in the middle of the north Atlantic. However, that was the opposite of my life in Reykjavik. The goodbyes were not easy but I have a feeling that many of our paths will cross again. I am so fortunate to have had the experience I did, and hope that I some day can return to Iceland to relax in its serene surroundings and visit a few friends.

View from my room - going to miss that

Beach bums - going to miss them

Class reception

Last dance in Reykjavik with Nicky and Jón

Liza and Nicky parting ways at 6am...SAD!

in good company...

This past week I met Ólöf, a good friend of Tali's (friend from Minneapolis). It's been really fun and a bit surreal meeting the friends and family of my own friends from home. I am far from home but still feel really connected to my life their too. Ólöf and I have a lot in common and it's been really enjoyable to hang out with her - Thank you Tali!

She completely spoiled Liza, Heidi, and I with a fabulous dinner Wednesday night. For dessert we grilled bananas stuffed with chocolate. Why did I not think of that sooner!

Picture of friends including roommate Thorny (far right). Liza and I definitely lucked out when it comes to housing. Not only is the apartment and its location amazing, but Thorny is my new hero!

Class Trip

Last weekend, we took a trip to the south of Iceland. Above is a picture of the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen.


I even had the chance to walk behind the waterfall which was a surreal experience. There was mist everywhere and I left feeling totally refreshed.

Yummy...

You've not been to Iceland until you've tried the fermented shark also known as rotten shark. It's eaten with a shot of the local brennivin. We took a break from class to try the traditional dish. The smell was enough to make me vomit on command. I survived but probably will never have it again. For dessert we had sheep's head. I'm still having nightmares about the texture.

Weekend Getaway

I am currently sitting out on my balcony updating this blog when really I should be studying for a test tomorrow...the weather is great and night is still young. I actually could write a book about this past weekend but instead I thought that a few words and extra pictures tell more.

Just to update a few of you, I met an Icelandic girl in Minneapolis named Maren back in January. Sadly she is still in Minneapolis:( but her younger sister Stebba who is about my age is living in Reykjavik:) I spent the last weekend with her and her family. Although no one, and I mean no one, can replace Maren, they really welcomed me into their home as if I was part of the family.

Friday night, Stebba and I drove to their home in Akureyri which is located in the northern part of Iceland (about a 4.5 hour drive away). We stayed in Akureyri for one night and then headed to a cabin outside of Egilsstaðir the following day which is 3 hours east of Akureyri. We picked up more family and headed to the cabin which the family rented for the weekend (it also included specific rivers that we could fish on). The weekend was filled with great company, relaxation, fishing, amazing food, board games, and peace.

On the way we stopped at Goðafoss - a waterfall which got its name from the year 1000 when Iceland converted to Christianity.

Stebba, Edda (Maren's older sister), and I. I hate to say it but we lost the fishing competition.

Simon (Sölvi's friend), Sölvi (Maren's brother), and Vignir (Maren's dad)

My big catch of the day - I tried to make my family proud. I have never fished in such a beautiful and peaceful place before.

On the way home we stopped to take a dip. Yes, we went swimming under those rocks in some caves. It was really creepy. Basically I screamed a lot, got dunked by Stebba, and thought Sölvi was an animal.

Picture of me holding Snæfriður (Maren's niece - sorry if I spelled that one wrong), with Hildur (Maren's mom). There are beautiful horses everywhere.

Namafjall - high-temperature geothermal area with a lot of fumaroles and mud pots. It slightly resembled the bog of eternal stench if you ask me. It looked like mars but smelled horrible!

What was also really striking about the weekend was the strong connection I felt to the nature. I saw and felt something different that I have not experienced before. Silence was also a consistent thought throughout the weekend. I sometimes just need it whether silence means a linguistic barrier, peace while fishing, silence during a drive, or silence during a morning hike. Another thought was Maren. I learned a lot about her this weekend - in fact I feel like we really bonded. The funny thing is, she has no idea! The world truly feels small once again. I wanted to cry when I left yesterday. Parting with your own family can of course be very sad at times, but it is refreshing to know you will see them again. Yesterday, that was not a certainty. I just hope that even if I cannot welcome Stebba and her family into my home someday, I just hope I can somehow give someone out there a similar feeling that I had the entire weekend.

Takk fyrir!

The Pool Scene

Ever since I arrived, Icelanders have been talking about the swimming pools. They have quite a name here in Reykjavik so I finally decided to try one. The pool scene is very unique to this city and they stay open all year. People of all ages hang out at the outdoor pools - many with their young children and families, some to just talk politics in the hot tubs, others to really get a work out, and some (like me) people watching, listening to Icelandic, making friends with old guys in the hot tubs, and staring at movie stars in speedos. The whole experience was really relaxing and I have already gone back since my first visit. I do not even like swimming but I truly enjoyed myself both times and left totally relaxed.

After a refreshing swimming pool experience yesterday, I tried Icelandic ice cream for the first time which has also been recommended many times. Everyone told me to be sure and order the old ice cream instead of the new. It was delicious!...and very unique. I had a dish of the old ice cream with chocolate sauce and coconut. Yummy!

Icelandic boys...?

My new boyfriend!

The Land of Ice

Last Saturday, we took a class trip north of Reykjavik. Below are just a few of many beautiful pics from a really enjoyable day.

Shot near Þingvellir (Parliament Plains)
The Alþing general assembly was established here around 930 and continued to convene there until 1798. All major events in the history of Iceland have taken place at Þingvellir. Today Þingvellir is a national park of the Icelandic nation. This was definitely an amazing stop on the trip, however, I could not help but feel a bit disconnected in some way with the history that took place there. In other words, I simply could not phathom the combination of the time period, events, and nature all located in this one spot.

Just taking a jog on a glacier

Waterfalls at Barnafoss (Children's Falls).
Two young children died at these waterfalls. They disapeared leaving only a trail of footsteps to the stone arch over the river. Their mother had the arch later destroyed and later these falls were named after the two small children.

Our teacher noted that the view of the glacier was terrible because of the fog. I thought the fog made the whole experience really mystical. That was my favorite stop of the day.

I ate a hot dog!

Anyone who knows me well, knows that hot dogs are not my food of choice. All I have heard since I have been here is that I have to try a 'pylsa' also known as an Icelandic hot dog. The hot dogs are made with lamb meat. My guide book and a few Icelanders told me to get one with everything (mustard, raw onions, fried onions, and remoulade). Believe it or not Mom, I ate the whole thing and loved it. Bill Clinton also ate at this particular hot dog stand. I even think they named a hot dog after him.

Sexy vegetarian roommate

Too cool

Just when I thought this week could not get any better, I had another dream day. Following a wonderful dinner party at Vala's, I went to the KiraKira show tonight. It took no time at all to recognize one of the most intriguing singers that I have ever heard...yes, all you Sigur Rós fans...Jónsi! It was difficult for me to contain myself in the same room with him for hours - I'm just not as cool as the Icelanders here. All I want to do is scream and take pictures and for the Icelanders it is simply normal. Besides being completely preoccupied with fame in the room, I really enjoyed the bands tonight. The experimental music only intensified my surreal feelings already attached to this city. Later I could only laugh to realize that KiraKira also sat next to me at a coffee shop the night before. Could this place get any cooler?

Stan - It was a confirmed lazy eye.


KiraKira show

Dinner at Vala's before she left for Minneapolis

Star Struck!

After being here only a few days, I already saw a famous person! Today I saw the star of one of my favorite Icelandic films, Nói albínói, not just once but twice! I was definitely thrilled and was glad that my roommate Eliza was there with me to share the exciting moment. His name is Tómas Lemarquis - his piercing eyes and bald head were not too difficult to spot in tiny Reykjavik.

Blue Lagoon

After class yesterday, Vala, Gauti, and I took a trip to the Blue Lagoon, which is located about 45 minutes away. We soaked in the blue geothermal salt water for a few hours in the sun. Life doesn´t really get any better. The seawater's active ingredients are minerals, silica and algae which, believe it or not, did wonders for my skin. We left feeling completely refreshed. I came home, ate dinner, and went running - pretty difficult schedule. Combining school and travel has never been so relaxing!

Getting hitched!

Newlyweds! Just kidding...Megan got married the night before I left. Congrats Meg!

One happy family!

Halló Iceland!

There are no words to describe the last 48 hours. I feel like the luckiest person in the world right now. So far, this has been the most relaxing trip I have ever experienced. I arrived with no problems and felt like I was actually landing on Mars. The landscape is unlike anything I have seen before. The air is fresh and the atmosphere calming.

I am staying with a writer at the National Theater in downtown Reykjavik in an adorable 1950s apartment with a view. Yesterday I travelled for hours through the countryside to Landmannalaugur with Icelandic friends from Minneapolis Vala and Gauti. At Landmannalaugur we enjoyed a picnic in sunny weather and then went to the hot springs I have always heard so much about. Gauti and Vala continued to spoil me the whole day as we made our way to his parents´ cabin. His family and I enjoyed a typical Icelandic Sunday dinner which consists of lamb and potatoes. Yummy! I was in disbelief the entire day.

Today I started class and it was so great to be back in the classroom. The other students seem really nice and I am looking forward to getting to know them. My teacher rocks too!


Typical landscape here



Vala and I during our picnic

The living room where I am staying



Lighthouse west of Reykjavik


Vala and Gauti after the picnic


Preserved viking settlement





Hot spring at Landmannalaugur