new home

i moved on sunday to a new apartment (it's the one with the light on in the kitchen). i was staying at maria's mom's house which was fabulous but on the edge of the city (it would be perfect if i had a car). my new place is right by the university, close to downtown, and on a bus route that takes me straight to work. i share the apartment with two other women, one is from cuba and cleans at a bakery and the other is an exchange student from germany.

this is the small grocery store across the street--it's a little expensive but very convenient.

my "new" bike. it's a little bit rusty and rickety, but it was free! many thanks to daniel for acquiring it. note the bike lock, i think a strong scissors could cut through it but that's what everyone here uses. reykjavik is a car oriented city, it's not like amsterdam or copenhagen, there are no bike lanes and everyone drives everywhere. there are some really nice biking/walking trails along the sea only 2 blocks from my house.
my bus stop. as i mentioned above, reykjavik is set up for driving so everyone has a car and hardly anyone takes the bus. today i was the only one on my bus for the entire 15 minute ride (and it wasn't the first time that's happened); you never have to worry about getting a seat on buses here.