My reading nook out on the deck on warm sunny days.

The first major snow fall in Akureyri. With the lack of trees it doesn't take much snow for the mountains to be completely covered and to look like there is a few feet of snow instead of a few inches.

Decorating my birthday cake last week. Taking half the classes I usually do has allowed me time to explore other aspects of life. Who knew how domestic I could be?


The international contingent around the table. I had a wonderful, relaxed birthday. Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" in their own language to me (at the same time!) Icelandic, Finnish, Latvian, Russian, and Polish!

Skal! (pronounced scowl) or Cheers! Just a few more party pics, so bear with me.
Ahh...yes, university life. Good thing it's too expensive to drink more than one beer a night!



Next weekend, I am going to try and take some pictures of the high fashion girls in Akureyri. Supposedly the 80s are making a come back. They definitely are here. I've seen sideways ponytails, acid wash, moon boots, girls wearing leggings and oversized sweaters, as well as this denim number. Thankfully, mullets aren't back yet, but sometimes, I think that if I'd brought a costume from an 80s party my clothes would fit in more. All the women are beautiful and the guys pride themselves on having the best looking women in Europe...why they think they can take credit for that is beyond me, as is what they may have done to deserve it!

Men in Suits

Almost all the guys in Akureyri wear suits when they go out. I think this is wonderful, so I tried to discretely take pictures of "men in suits."
I was obviously not always so discreet!

At the very least, most guys will wear a jacket...

or a tie. Also, the dance floor will be filled with more guys than girls, and they can usually all dance! Its a lot of fun.

I have been up to more than simply being awed by the scenery. This is Maija and I in the hallway in front of my room doing what any sane Icelander would do on a Friday night: pre-drinking. With the cost of a pint of beer at about $7 (twice that if you're not a student) or, if you'd prefer, $14 for a Bacardi Breezer, everyone drinks before going to the bar. Maija is one of my good friends here in Iceland. She moved to Iceland last year to be with her Icelandic boyfriend that she met when they were on exchange in Austria.

I thought I'd post some more "everyday" pictures. The plant is an African Violet that I bought in my second week here. The house seemed really 'dead' without any green, its not much, but it helps. Then there are the tall cans of Thule (Icelandic) beer. Its a nice light beer. Next, is a container of Skyr. This is the favoured dairy product of most Icelanders. Skyr is similar to yogurt, but it is made with skim milk, and uses a different bacteria than yogurt does. It's a bit firmer than yogurt, and may even be tastier. But... it was first described to me as "rotten, curdled, skim milk, and I've been trying, but I can't get that description out of my head as I try to eat it!

It has been a long time since I've posted pictures here, I suppose life is settling into a bit of a routine. The fall colours are out and the hillsides are are quite brilliant despite the complete lack of trees. This picture was taken in Dalvig, a small town about 30 min outside of Akureyri. We were there on a "field trip," every week here reminds me more of elementary school than university... its great!
A common sight in the harbour: fish drying in the rails of small boats.