I've been to the university several times, at first for introduction meetings and today for my first lecture. I haven't been in university lectures since April and I'd kind of forgotten that the reason I've come to Iceland is to study. I only have six lessons a week but I think it will take a while to get back into the university routine again. The campus is a really nice place to be and most of the buildings I'll be in seem very modern; the most impressive part for me is the university cinema which shows the latest blockbuster films as well as serving as several lecture halls!
As well as starting my studies, I've been out and about in Reykjavik a lot during the day and night. On Monday night a group of us went out for someone's birthday and on Friday night there was a huge welcome party for all the exchange students. It's a really nice feeling that whenever I go out I meet dozens of people I know; even just walking to the supermarket I always seem to bump in to four or five other exchange students!
On Saturday night a huge group of us went to see a free outdoor concert for the Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men. They've had huge success around the world and their song Little Talks has been played endlessly in the UK. This was the last concert of their tour and it was a huge homecoming gig for their Icelandic fans. Around 15,000 people showed up and despite the endless rain the atmosphere was fantastic. They were great live performers and it was pretty special to see them at home and speaking Icelandic the whole way through.
One of the most exciting things that has happened for me this week is finally moving out of the fourteen bed dormitory and into my own room! I have a great room but the whole situation is just a little bit strange. My landlord, Fridrik, is very friendly but the most disorganised person I have ever met. I had to wait for six or seven hours to move in to the flat and lots of things still need to be fixed but I'm not convinced that will happen any time soon. Fridrik is getting married next week then going off on his honeymoon for a fortnight so won't be around much. Normally his brother would step in but after Fridrik's stag do, he ended up with two broken ribs and a collapsed lung!
The strangest thing is that one of the guys I'm living with currently doesn't have a room - as in, it doesn't exist! The old living room is currently being turned into a bedroom and until then Sebastian has to sleep in the landlord's guesthouse down the road. The other very weird thing is the number of beds in the flat; my room has a double bed, a single bed and a set of bunk beds. Between five of use we have 14 beds! However, despite all of this I feel I can't complain. My room is huge, clean and modern. The flat is in a good part of town and close to the city centre. And most of all, I finally have a room to myself!
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