Woke up after dreams of an online friend calling me (she does not have my number IRL) because I associate her with world travel, and here I was in another country. It's like a kind of validation, suggesting that I've arrived or am on the rise. I wouldn't want my Reykjavik excursion to represent the … Continue reading Departure via the Blue Lagoon
Reykjavik
The Icelandic Sagas and ‘Iron Man’
We were permitted to tour the Culture House, after all that hubbub with the royalty and the government and the hey-hey-hey. We locked up our belongings and headed downstairs to the chambers of the historical artifacts. The layout was really compelling, enlarged illustrations from the traditional texts, the sagas. They broke down what each figure … Continue reading The Icelandic Sagas and ‘Iron Man’
Culture and Royalty
Woke up, bathed in the inset bathtub (my notes: "hand nozzle, no faucet, which is cool"), got dressed, and requested the password for Wi-Fi access from the hostess. I didn't write down what we needed to look up, probably a weather forecast, maybe checking the exchange rate? We sat down in the communal kitchen and … Continue reading Culture and Royalty
One of Those Unpleasant Days
After Café Paris, we walked downtown to the central bus area to catch the 14. We were feeling lazy and wanted to cut down on our travel time back to Galtafell. The 14 never showed, however, and I didn't know whether this was because the Sunday schedule was different from the other days or what. … Continue reading One of Those Unpleasant Days
To Isafjorđur… or Not
Today we woke up, cleaned the cool-ass little apartment up, and checked out. We agreed we would miss the little pad, with its garish cow duvet and supremely convenient closet-kitchenette. If I could travel the world and secure such an apartment for myself everywhere I went, why, I should be quite content indeed. We trotted … Continue reading To Isafjorđur… or Not
Iceland’s Famous Hot Dog
After we cleaned up, we went outside for more adventure. It had been a bright grey overcast sky all day but now there was a fine drizzle that went from a heavy haze to something almost like raindrops. Rebecca was a bit discouraged at the crappy weather, but I was delighted with a childlike glee … Continue reading Iceland’s Famous Hot Dog
The Graveyard Tour with Jonas
There are multiple Information Services in Reykjavik. I don't know if they're territorial or district-based, like, you can only get certain information in a certain part of town. That might be fun for a day, if you like to play Zelda, wandering around asking villagers for parcels of information. Probably not, though, I'm sure they … Continue reading The Graveyard Tour with Jonas
Ancient Icelandic Elves and Dwarves
We woke up around noon, still having trouble adjusting to the time difference, apparently. Or else it was just very comfortable to lounge around in our Room With a View apartment, bright and tidy as it was. It was especially lovely to saunter downstairs to the coffee shop for an espresso macchiato, and Rebecca loaned … Continue reading Ancient Icelandic Elves and Dwarves
The Golden Circle Tour
We had a hard time sleeping the night previous: people (I'm guessing locals, could be tourists, maybe) were out drinking until around 4 a.m., just being loud and obnoxious. Obviously in high spirits, and good for them, and maybe I'm the only one who has a problem with what's otherwise a local custom. And if … Continue reading The Golden Circle Tour
Arrival in Reykjavik
I wrote in "Wednesday, technically" because we've lost some time, flying westward. After a very long flight we touched down in Keflavik Int'l Airport, a daub of architecture in the middle of a broad field of volcanic rock and tough, stubborn grass. Immediately I was impressed with how clean and efficient the structure looked, inside … Continue reading Arrival in Reykjavik