Update on the past 10 days

Have been quite busy the last 10 days thoroughly enjoying my new surroundings here in Iceland. Here are some general updates and photos:

Tuesday 6th April

Community meal. I cooked Pad Thai for 12, after Eric pointed me in the direction of a small Thai supermarket about 10 minutes from home. They had run out of dried shrimp so will make it again soon with the dried shrimp (I think it makes all the difference) but it seemed to go down well…was great time though, we have so many nationalities eating together here every week and so many interesting and diverse people. People seem much more ready to come to dinner after first meeting you than we would do in UK where we tend to be a bit more reserved and cautious.  I love hospitality so am really enjoying it here.

Wednesday 7th April

Felt a bit lost today. Was wondering what my role is in Iceland, how I fit in, how I can use my gifts, wanting to know the plan. I needed some space so I went for a walk this afternoon and chatted to God as I walked round Reykjavík with my camera. The sun had just come out after the rain and I really felt like God was showing me beauty in the hidden places, down each alleyway was something interesting that people passing by would not normally notice because they are moving too fast. I felt like God was reminding me not to rush, not to feel like I have to come up with a big plan, not to dive headlong into endless activity but to take it slow, and let God lead me to the people and places and tasks that he has for me. I was reminded again to do the things which are on my heart, and that the open and vulnerable heart is the meeting point of heaven and earth, man and God. It’s a hard thing for me to learn to follow my heart instead of doing things out of a sense of duty, and to avoid filling my life with endless activity just for the sake of it. After my photographic stroll I sat for a while in Hallgrímskirkja, the main Lutheran (state) church here in Reykjavík. I love the church because it is so simple, light and airy, not dark and foreboding like some big churches in other countries. I sit and pray in the church and realise the main feature is the space, the minimalist feel to the building draws you to the space which is only bordered by the plain grey-white walls and high arched ceiling. It is in this space which God´s presence is allowed to take centre stage, not competing with paintings, statues, tombs and frescos.  I feel this is to be a picture of my life, creating time and space for God to move, and not being distracted by the structure and framework where the space sits.

See some of my photos below:

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Friday 9th April

Eric and I joined a gym today. Before you think I’m being irresponsible with my money, this is the equivalent of 27 pounds per month for an amazing luxury gym for much cheaper than a basic gym with poor equipment in London. This is why it´s such a good idea:

1. All the equipment actually works.

2. You get a magnificent view of the sea and mountains from the warm-up area while you are stretching.

3. Included in membership is entry to the outdoor saltwater swimming pool with steam room, hot tubs and jacuzzi bath.

4. There’s a sauna in the changing room.

5. The gym is in Seltjarnarness, just west of Reykjavík. It’s about a half hour run from where I live so I can run there to warm up and wind down in the hot tubs.

6. It has entry by retina scan, so you put your eyes by a scanner and it reads your pupils and says ‘you have been identified’ then the doors open. Very much like the film ‘Minority Report’.  It’s interesting that the security at the gym is much greater than any airport I have been to. But kind of cool. So, let me know if you want to go and I’ll lend you my eyeballs.

I have been doing loads of exercise since I have been here, running three or four times a week and going down the gym three times a week, and feeling very healthy for it! Let’s hope I can maintain it.

Saturday 10th April

Go to hear one of my favourite bands Hjaltalín who are playing at Cafe Rósenberg just round the corner. I could actually hear the Friday night gig from my kitchen, and was glad to hear that they were playing on Saturday night so I could hear them properly. This was my 4th Hjaltalín gig, I heard them twice in London and once at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk last summer. Their new album, Terminal, comes highly recommended by me. This was probably my favourite of the four gigs I have been to, they played lots of new material from Terminal and a few very well done covers in their own unique style, including a version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Don’t stop til you get enough’. The band is a 7-piece band consisting of a female lead singer, male lead singer and guitarist, bass, keyboard, drums, bassoon and french horn. They have a unique style of indie-pop-disco and cleverly combine the use of modern and classical instruments into catchy memorable songs. Check them out on My Space.

Sunday 11th April

Today we help our friend Telma and her daughter Alexandra to move home. Our friend Keli has a van and in three or four trips we manage to move all her furniture and belongings. Their new flat has a stunning view over Kópavogur and Reykajvík. This evening I go with Eric, Katie, Telma and Keli to dinner at the home of Eduardo, a Chilean man that Katie met at a salsa class. He lives on the outskirts of Reykjavík and cooks us a succulent slow-cooked leg of lamb enjoyed with a glass of fine Chilean red wine. Eduardo is a selective fish breeding expert and Taekwondo instructor and also extremely hospitable, we had a great evening of conversation and laughter.

Monday 12th April

Today is the day of a big hike up to see the volcanic eruption at Fimmvörðuháls, which began on 21st March. I go with some friends who work for YWAM in Reykjavík. I’ll write a separate post about this with photos of the hike…watch this space!

Tuesday 13th April

Community meal again this evening, Eric cooks a great chicken noodle soup and we have about 12 people along of 7 different nationalities including two new Slovakian friends- Barbara and Adrian, and a German friend Sarah. I think we should see if we can get into double figures with nationalities at community meals!

Wednesday 14th April

Iceland hitting international headlines again with a second eruption, this time under the Eyjafjallajökull glacier which sends a huge ash plume 20,000 feet into the air. I have photos of this glacier a couple of days before the eruption when we hiked up to the first volcano. Photos to follow soon!

Thursday 15th April

Wow, crazy that the 2nd volcanic eruption has had such a huge impact on the whole of UK! The first time since 9-11 that all flights in UK have been grounded. In Reykjavík we are largely unaffected as the wind blowing south and not west. Interesting times…more thoughts on this is my next post.

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