Visitors

My first week of work was pretty chill. Mainly meeting people, setting up my temporary desk and computer (I had to take the desktop on the plane to Akureyri since it was specially designed for me and my work), and reading lots of articles and information pertaining to my first project. Everyone in the office and in the company was really nice and accommodating and funny. The first Friday of this first week, there was a company outing to some surprise place.
So on Friday we all boarded two buses, people began distributing beers and Opal/Topas (Icelanders love to drink), and we drove until we reached the house with the big Arctic Rafting sign. So we went rafting, and yes the water was really cold. The best parts were the raft fights and the stop we made by some cliffs where we got the chance to jump off of the cliff into the arctic water. The Hungarians, 3 other people, and I were on the "English" raft and the champion of the raft wars was definitely Attila (I don't call him Attila the Hun for nothing). The most memorable phrase of the rafting was definitely "Right side forward," being shouted every 2 minutes - suffice it to say, I was one of the few on the right side.
The rest of the night consisted of food, a blindfold game, some dancing, and more alcohol than you can imagine (assuming your imagination is not so great). Over all a great way to meet, shower, and party with your co-workers and the bosses.

Three MIT people - Maria, Billy, and Jon - came to visit Iceland for vacation and also stayed with us for the week they were here. It was really fun having them around and they probably saw more of Iceland than I currently have. I went on two roadtrips with them, but the first one is quite interesting. Keeping in mind that I do not have a driver's license, we four MITers entered one of the company cars (automatic), with me in the driver's seat. The moment we exited the driveway though, I let them know.
"Wanna know something funny?" "Sure," said the other three. "Well," said I, "I don't have a driver's license, so..." "but W you H know A how T to ! drive ! right," said maria and JON simultaneously. Billy laughed nervously or perhaps mischievously. Jon, the co-pilot, took some deep breathes and we were on our merry way, with everyone sitting on edge.
Luckily there are not many people in Iceland and their one freeway is pretty much trafficless. We were driving to Geyser and Gullfoss which were about two hours away from Reykjavík. Still traumatized by Péter's speeding ticket and the fact that I was undocumented (oh Mexicans), I obeyed the 90 km/hr speed limit (most of the way). Everything was fine, except perhaps Jon's health, and we made it there alive. The longest I had ever driven before that was probably 5 blocks in a busy street in San Antonio, so this was pretty fun. Next step, learn manual (stick-shift), or perhaps get my license. The waterfall and the geyser were pretty spectacular. We saw some singers dressed in Vikingesque garb at the waterfall. Billy and Jon took turns driving back, which meant that I actually got a chance to enjoy the view.
The second roadtrip was after the three Mannvit MIT people arrived to Iceland and including the Hungarians. This time we drove to Vík, which has a really nice beach (albeit really windy and cold) and this cool cliff and some interesting caves. From on top of the cliff we even saw some puffins diving from the side of the cliff into the water. It was pretty sweet.

Till next time. Bless (mean good-bye in Icelandic).