Monday, March 8, 2010

Iceland Calling

After almost 23 hrs of travel, I made it to Iceland. Got lost finding my way to the apartment and am thinking that my Icelandic course didn't prepare me well enough...

The first day is usually spent getting my bearings, finding places to eat, buying food and adapting to the new time zone. It is just past 1pm and I am finding it warm. I knew the weather wasn't going to be as cold as what I'm used to in Canada but I didn't expect it to feel as warm even though it is 7 C. I'm glad I am wearing my raincoat and not anything made of down.

I slept 13 hrs and the first thing I ate today when I got up at noon was a chocolate covered lemony vanilla ice cream popsicle! It was awesome! My apartment is fabulous. Very modern and lux and full of original art. The owners are both designers and have great taste.

I don't usually bring a computer with me on a trip but it is really convenient to keep in touch especially with D looking for jobs and also to check weather, booking excursions and flight news. I use Skype to call home. This new computer of mine and bluetooth headset has paid for itself already with respect to that and for killing time during my 6 hr layover at Boston Logan.

So far the cost of things aren't unreasonable. I'm not thinking of the currency devaluation or conversion, I'm looking at the cost of items in their dollars vs what I'm used to at home. It is more but not so much that it makes me stop or gasp or swear : ). It is definitely cheaper than what I see at our ski resort in BC. So it looks like I will come in under what I budgeted for spending. I think I'm buying some more of those popsicles!

Oh yeah, check out this week's Carnival of Personal Finance - Women in History Edition -- for some great quotes and articles, hosted by SimplyForties.

6 comments:

  1. How exciting! I'm so looking forward to hearing about the trip (and perhaps seeing some pics?). The apartment sounds wonderful...as do those popsicles! Iceland is currently warmer than we are! It's -10C this morning here in the 'Horse...

    Have a great trip!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have a great time in Iceland...I can't wait to hear about it and see some pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Having ice cream for breakfast/lunch sounds great! Have a wonderful time, keep us updated, and give reviews of places/restaurants you try so I'll know where to go when I finally make it there one day.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You're there already - I thought it was a few weeks till you went away. It takes us about 23hrs from Melbourne to the UK so I can sympathise with the length of time your journey took
    Hope you enjoy your time there - like everyone else I'm looking forward to you posting some photos
    BTW that sounds like my favourite breakfast food.........where does it say the first meal of the day should be wholesome lol

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats on getting to Iceland. I was there many years ago, but only for a layover and have often thought about returning to visit.

    I've recently discovered your blog and have enjoyed catching up on past postings and admire your 'middle way' approach to life. I am curious however to your approach in your trips. I note that in day to day living you forgo items most would consider as part of their life i.e. cell phones, cable etc. Do you likewise take the same approach to your travels or do you treat yourself to luxuries when away. I (and perhaps others) would be interested in a future post on how you approach the expense of travel, accomodations, site seeing, food etc. Looking forward to hearing about your experiences abroad.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you Everyone for your well wishes! I'm having a great time here. And @ I'd rather be sailing -- great idea for a future post!

    ReplyDelete