10-11-snake eyes
I brought along the miniature video camera for it's lightness and size, literally the size of my thumb.
Still figuring out where to wear it for optimal video, short of taping it to my temple to see what I see as I move my head, probably not a good idea either. I am getting video, just not quite what i want, but I stand by the concept, and I am unanimous in this! I have a few more days before the Viking Market, and that is where I really want to be using it anyway.
The plus at not having to have the battery packs charging, and such is nice. Now as long as I do not lose it I will be fine!
I am still not sure why they call the little stores 10-11, unless it is because 7-11 was taken. The prices do not seem that high to me, but then I have yet to get to a Bonus market to see what the regular Icelanders pay for their groceries. With their logo of a pink pig, I am reminded of the Piggly Wiggly stores. Perhaps tomorrow.

So, while I am enjoying the time at the hostel, there are a few things that a newcomer needs to know:

Like, what are the hours on the front counter. I Know they have a lot of handouts and other information all over the lobby and common area, but I just do not recall seeing a sign for the hours of the counter being staffed.

Little things like the darkening blind in the window for these long days when you want to sleep.

Where the kitchen is, and how to get into it in the middle of the night when you want a cup of tea. The baskets with tags to mark for your things in the fridge is a great idea, and the share baskets for folks who leave stuff for others to use is also fantastic. They do need a larger sign about cleaning up your crap though. A couple kids made rather a mess cooking and just left their junk out as if the maid would handle it.

The rental vehicles totally escaped my knowledge the first day and a half. Not until they pulled them inside for the night did I realize they were not someone's personal scooters out in the back.

I am old and wobbly at times, I would rather like a handrail at the front steps. Iceland is not the land of ADA. I can do it, as long as the kids don;t knock me over because I am so slow getting up and down. Note to self, bring the walking stick next time, or the hiking poles.

There is a book loan shelf, with take a book leave a book type status. And the books are form all over the world. Very cool, even if I cannot read more than a few of them.

Ask right away about where the local market or grocery supply is, breakfast is available at many hostels, but might not be what you expect. Also your stomach may not be adjusted yet to the time change and environment and you might need a bit of comfort food to keep you working right.

Your room-mates might arrive at anytime of the day or night. Watch what you are not wearing!
Also, if YOU are coming and going, be polite about lights and the door latches, they are loud and the doors are heavy. A good idea is quiet in the sleeping areas, regardless of time of day. Someone might be trying to recover from jet lag. (wink wink)

If you have an early checkout, pack most of what you can the night before to avoid disturbing folks while you root out your junk.
Try to not hammer on things in your room. The building is solid enough, but sound transmits through those concrete walls if you are touching or pounding on them. Voices are muted, but not thumping or drumming on the bed frames or wall.

Over all be polite and do what you can to help over-ride the conception that so much of the world has about the American traveler. It won't be easy, but if we all try just a little bit I think we can make a difference.

Odd thoughts and observations...

So, we are out at the Gullfoss waterfall, rather spectacular indeed. There was a bit of litter here and there on the grounds at both the upper and lower parking areas. A couple of (who would have thought it) Americans stopped to pick up the can and bits of paper in the lot and grounds, but there was no trash can anywhere. Not in the parking area, or on the bus. So it was brought back to the hostel for recycle and disposal. A shame really, as while the problem of odd bits of litter is not heavy, yet, if the locals do not begin to think about controlling it, or at least making it easier to find trash receptacles, any increase in tourism will be clearly seen. Maybe there is a cultural cue I am missing. I just hate to see such a pretty country get littered up. Who knows, maybe it is the wind that blows all the trash out to the sea and they just do not think about it. I cannot say.

Noticing a bit of graffitti, though usually on vacant building or store sides and such. What I don't see is any apparent effort to clean or remove it. Hard to tell if it is the native Icelanders or emigrants/visitors. I do notice that they have a high appreciation for art, and there is that old wag about “but is it art”.

I found one of the yarn shops. Now I KNOW that there is a soft wool that comes form these sheep, and when you see and feel the sheep skins, it is evident. I have looked for wool to buy and bring home, but it is all the outer guard hair stuff, very scratchy. I cannot think of a project to make that would not require me to line it. Feh! I will say that the outer or guard hair wool does have a natural water repellant quality, and this is why they use it in so many outerwear things. One artist has a show and form of textile art getting good reviews...she is felting. At the Culture house is one of her installations, a long elastic string, or rather a series of them, with felt balls in various bright colors strung along it. There are some photos of a couple of children at play with them.

Sleep, wonderful sleep..
Almost a solid 8 hours last night! I woke up a couple times, saw it was light out (snort) and checked the watch to see if it was time to get up, 1:30, then 4, then 5:30, then finally 8! I feel nice and rested. I am having a bit of sinus congestion. Here is hoping it is just because a number of folks were smoking on the patio last night, and NOT because I am catching a cold. I am NOT going to catch a cold while I am here. End of discussion. (excuse me, I need a tissue).

So today I leave the hostel and head for the harbor town. Tomorrow I will start by helping them with the set up of things, and learn where things are in that area. Who knows, maybe I will visit the pink pig store yet!
Still trying to find a few more things to bring back for folks......Something for the office. Something unusual she said.....I wonder what the guy at the Penis museum has for souvenirs? Yeah, I typed it. There is a Penis museum in Iceland. Have not gone there......not sure I can. But really, how can one not go to something like that! I guess that come form either lack of sun, or lack of dark.