Culture Shock?

So, C experienced her own bit of culture shock today, but almost sort of a reversal. We went to the library on the base, which is quite extensive and has a huge children’s section. They are running a summer reading program and each Thursday the participants gather together to do a related craft project.

We got there a few minutes late (we did have a 45 minute commute) so the craft had already begun. C sat down and started working, creating a pyramid with jewels inside and Kelsey also started one.

Two other girls were sitting at the table quietly working. A few minutes later one looked up at the other and started speaking. C looked at me excitedly and said, “Mom, they speak ENGLISH!”

It never occurred to me that when I told her about the reading program, that she didn’t know the other children would be native English speakers! I just assumed she knew. I guess in her mind though, everyone her age speaks Icelandic, unless they have told her otherwise. The children that speak English are the exception and so far, few and far between.

We also hosted our first playgroup today. I still haven’t figured out where everyone is from with the exception of the two moms who were in my Icelandic class. Even though we still have very few toys, almost everybody brought one to share and I turned the coffee table into a giant coloring paper. Even the very young children enjoyed it and thankfully, the brownies disappeared quickly! Not surprisingly a few veggies left, but better I snack on those than the brownies.

We also met our landlord today. He is stopping by tomorrow with the insurance adjustor and the GSO assistant from the Embassy. Hopefully, they will be able to install something in the girls’ bathroom to assist the water in flowing down the drain rather than throughout the bathroom. The landlord seems nice and is very concerned, so we are confident this will be a good 3 years!