We arrived at Keflavik airport at around 5:30. The main thing I was nervous about was going through passport control. I rehearsed a couple of answers to potential questions the passport officials might ask. However, passport control went smoothly, and I was safely on the other side along with the rest of the group.
After everyone had finished eating breakfast at the airport, we finally made our way outside to the bus. I immediately noticed the intensity of the wind; although we had been warned about the wind many times before the start of the program, experiencing it first hand definitely emphasized how important it was dress adequately and respect the environment of Iceland.
Because of the wind, our itinerary was modified and we headed to Reykjavik for a quick tour instead. The tour highlighted how Iceland’s natural environment and its mythology impacted served as inspiration for the arts and architecture, and in turn, how this art contributed to the creation of a national identity. I was most fascinated by the references to basalt columns in buildings such as the Hallgrímskirkja. Basalt columns are a very distinctive geological formation, only occurring in places with similar geological histories to Iceland. As a result, these formations became a way to distinguish Iceland from other countries, particularly former rulers such as Denmark. I think this is a cool example of how unique geology has shaped the culture and identity of Iceland.
In addition to the architecture and nature of Iceland, we got our first introduction to the cuisine when we stopped at an Icelandic hotdog stand for a snack. I thought the dogs tasted good, perhaps better than American hotdogs. I think this is because of the crispy onions and the different formula they used for the mayo. In addition, we stopped at Kronan, one of the largest grocery store chains in Iceland. It was fun to see how ordinary people shop, and the difference and similarities between grocery stores in America and Iceland.
Swanson School of Engineering 