Weather: a little misty rain, cloudy
Walked km: 8
In the morning I and my fellow students and also the girls staying next door all went together to the Fróðskaparsetur Føroya, which stands for the Faroe University. We had a brief introduction presenting ourselves, got some practical information. Fróðskaparsetur Føroya is one of the world's smallest universities and it is possible to take a bachelor's or a master's degree. In some subjects (mainly Faroese related) it's also possible to get a PhD degree. A warm welcome!
Afterwards we went for a guided tour in the town of Tórshavn, also known as Havn (= Thor's harbor).
We learnt about the old houses: some of the houses had been there for a long time and the cutest houses had the traditional grass roofs:) Since it doesn't really get cold here (my first thought was snow and how snow fall would affect the grass and soil on the roofs, assuming it would make them pretty heavy). It's practical to protect the houses with a well isolating (and sound proof) grass roof. Under the grass there's a layer of birch bark.
Birch bark and on top of it a grass roof:)
We learnt that the distance between the tiny houses would be determined by how much space one would need in between the houses to swing a hammer:)
Small and narrow streets of the old town
We learnt that there had been two great fires in Tórshavn: one that was caused because soldiers tried to dry wet gun powder over fire:) and one started by a pyromaniac (in the 70´s?).
After the guided tour we had lunch at the restaurant Hvonn (pasta with salmon sauce) in the harbor and when lunchin' was over we had our first lecture about the basics in the Faroese language (an intro). Very interesting and was pleased to notice that I understood the things that Hjalmar was talking about.
The weather was good enough to make my first proper grocery shopping tour to the shopping center called SMS, about a 10-15 minute walk from home. Bought fruit and tried to avoid all sorts of goodies in the store. The grocery store was very big and the fish department was huge! But the urban girl that I am, I could not stand the strong smell of fresh fish, so I took a quick look and rushed through.
Otherwise the SMS Shopping Centre was a bit of a disappointment: as a part of the Danish Empire, the Danes have invaded the Faroe Islands with their clothes shops. I'm not criticizing the shopping centre, but rather pointing out that because the Danes also have invaded Finland, there's not really any excitement in going shopping in Danish shops aka at SMS (and you get the same clothes cheaper at home..)
SMS Shopping Centre upper hallway
We also tried to be smart and get our grammar books at the library, but they were all unavailable! The grammar books, necessary to the course, cost 1.000DKR which sums up to about 140€! Niceee! No student discounts here…
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