Thoughts on: Language, Religion, Tourism, Beauty

I should update more often so my brain isn't as overwhelmed trying to remember every thought and emotion I wanted to share from the week. But since I cannot travel back through time I will shift through all of my thoughts and try to organize them.

Language. I have only had one problem with the language barrier and that was when an older local did not understand the English words: cold medicine. No big deal, the next local did and I found what I needed. The fact that I am in another country where English is their second or third language but I am completely fine going wherever I want because they understand me, blows my mind. I feel very stupid and selfish most of the time. I don't need to work nearly as hard as everyone else here because English is my first language. I think in English, I talk in English, I write in English, and I dream in English. I eat every meal with people from other countries who work so hard to keep up a conversation with me in a language that is their second or third. There is this girl here from Germany,Rebakka and she speaks German, Norwegian, Icelandic, and English. And she has apologized to me for her poor English. I feel like I should be the one apologizing for not being able to speak in her native language. At every meal I am asked how to say a certain word in English or how I would say something in a sentence. I have become very good at guessing what everyone is talking about and I feel like my Scatigories skills are improving greatly, but that doesn't take away from my disappointment. It is a mix of disappointment in myself and in the American standards. Everyone else here (international students and Icelanders) learn English in elementary school as well as whatever other languages that are spoken around them. I learned Spanish in high school and would have a difficult time trying to speak with locals today, *insert the sign language action for "fail" here*. (Note: that is about the extent of my sign language skills too).

Tourism: Tourists in Iceland stand out. I have become an expert at picking them out and I had a wonderful realization as to why I feel like everyone stares at me - I look like one too! Let me explain what a tourist in Iceland looks like. They are wearing more clothing then needed, they have warm boots or hiking boots on, they carry umbrellas, they all must be holding a map of some form, have a camera ready, and they are wearing colors. To be a local here means you wear black, gray, or white with the exception of one small splash of color. Locals also don't wear a lot of clothes either. Most girls wear tights and a thin sweater or shawl. Yep, I'd be freezing my butt off. I have not yet decided to dress like a local, even though I now own boots to pull off the look. Picture this: a brunette walking down the street in brown/blue rain boots, a green jacket, and a purple umbrella while everyone else is in black with their hoods up walking quickly to get out of the rain. That was me and the locals this past Friday. I didn't understand why they weren't using umbrellas while it was down pouring, then the first large gust of wind came, ha. Now I understand. So on my walk back from getting coffee (which was too sweet, next time I should get something that I don't understand from the menu) I decided not to use the umbrella because it almost broke, needless to say I was wet. The only redeeming thing that happened that morning was when a tourist asked me for directions and I knew where she wanted to get to! So I guess dropping the umbrella I fit in a little bit more - or else they had not been in Iceland long enough to be able to distinguish between locals and foreigners. I look forward to the moment when I blend in, but that may never happen because I am not giving up my colors. :]

Religion: Icelanders are proud of their history. Every tour guide I have heard, every tour guide book I have read, and every history book I have read, will tell you that Iceland took on Christianity as the national religion in 1000ad. Which is earlier then most of the other countries. With having such a pride in that fact I am finding that not a lot of people here are interested in Christianity. It is so odd for me to sit in class and hear Christianity talked about casually by professors and them joking around about how they don't find it a serious matter either. Yet the most beautiful buildings in this city are churches. So far the worst moment was this past Wednesday when a group of us international students went to go swing dancing. The night before it had met at a church and we went there again because they said they were meeting again. But since it was Wednesday there was a church service going on. A couple of the guys were joking around saying that Kadri had tricked us and really wanted to "save" us. I didn't laugh, I didn't say anything. I honestly didn't know what to say. It didn't feel like the right time to speak out, but I still feel like I missed out on an opportunity. I don't know where they stand, but from their jokes I'd guess they could care less.
It's hard for me to imagine not noticing the beauty of creation being in Iceland. What do they think when they see the mountains all around? That they just happened to be there by chance? It saddens me greatly. I am thankful that I am not alone here. My friend Charlize is also a Christian. She may not be bold about her faith, but she is honest and I absolutely love that about her. This morning she came in my room and we listened to a podcast from my home church and talked about what it is like being a Christian in our countries. It amazes me that she deals with some of the same struggles that we in America deal with when it comes to our non-Christian friends and deciding on the best way to invite them to church. Our conversation energized me. I had been missing stimulating conversations. Don't get me wrong, I am greatly enjoying everyone else's stories and life adventures from other countries, but there is something special and holy when the topic has eternal meaning.

Beauty: Yesterday I took a trip with other international students to the Golden Circle. If it is a life goal to see amazing places - add the Golden Circle to that list. I wish we would have had more time to enjoy it. At one point I climbed up this hill and tried to take it all in. But I couldn't, I knew I could look at the surrounding area for days and still be fascinated by it. The pictures I took do not capture the awe I felt or even a fraction of the true beauty. I can't even find words to describe it and part of me doesn't even want to. That was a special moment - a once in a life time moment - that was meant for me and God.

I also went to a literary reading on Friday night with Charlize and this new girl Maggie from Canada. She had wayyyyyyy worse problems with her student permit then I did and had just arrived on Friday. On Saturday we also went to this Icelandic sheep round up that they have every year. That was so funny. They put all the sheep into this circle pen and everyone tries to find their families sheep by looking at the ears. I participated but never could hold onto a sheep long enough to see its ears. After stuffing our faces with food I finally exposed Charlize and Rebekka to Hannah Montana the Movie. :] It was great and they enjoyed the movie.

Classes start back up again tomorrow and I am excited to go even if they are less challenging. I feel lazy always having a three day weekend, but it is nice that I don't have to worry about keeping up with homework because I have an extra day! I hope you all took time to be in awe of our Glorious Maker today, if not, please do.