Iceland, Day 1 and 2

These next few posts will have nothing to do with my work as an author and everything to do with all things Icelandic. Son always wanted to go to Iceland. Well, he graduated from high school this year so let’s just say he’s getting an awesome grad present!

First of all, Icelandair is terrific. Nice staff and heck, almost enough leg room in economy. First thing we noticed: Icelanders have a sense of humor. Here are excerpts from their on-board menu – and yes, even their barf bag:

We were told all about the Icelanders’ belief in elves and trolls by our cab driver on the way in to Reykjavik, and we saw geothermal steam rising from the earth, hence the name, which translates as “Smoky Bay.” Oh, and hot tip for anyone considering a trip here: Stop at the duty free before you leave the airport and stock up on BOOZE! It’s half the price, apparently, compared to the state-run liquor stores. And they let you buy fairly copious quantities. I should point out too that Icelanders (well, Reykjavikers are all I can attest to) love their booze, at least on weekends. In fact I would say they have a passionate relationship with it on Friday and Saturday nights. Dare I use the term “binge drinkers?” I think others would more kindly say “party animals.” Let’s just say I think a lot of people see their elves and trolls on weekends. This city lives up to its reputation as a party capitol. We were so jet-lagged last night that we only lasted till 11 pm, but the bars were open all night. And of course the sun sets at 3 and is up again at 6!

Next are some photos of iconic buildings in Reykjavik: Harpa, the new music hall, and the church, I can’t remember nor can I spell the name.

This photo above is a panoramic view from the church. Reykyavik architecture is a blend of old and new. It’s really a very charming town, and I do mean town; the population is 200,000, which is 2/3 the population of the entire island! You’ll also notice how we experienced many different climates (much like the barf bag said) in a 12 hour period. For example, look below: They really do get sunshine.

The people are warm and helpful. I don’t have great photos of the town, but it’s very walkable and and bike friendly. Oh, and here are more of those signs with that Icelandic humor. The second one was outside a bar.

 And this is what Icelanders do with their naughty children. 🙂

 

Don’t you love that? Just put them into giant plastic bubbles and make them spin around like hamsters until they’re ready to behave. 🙂

So far the food has been shockingly delicious. I don’t know why I should be surprised. We had great spicy Icelandic lamb soup from this stand at lunch (yes, they have food trucks!).

And for dinner we went to SushiSamba, a rather trendy place full of very hot-looking young people (and a handful of oldsters like the parents of my son). Being Saturday night they were big on trying to sell us tequila shots (like, they had a woman whose sole job appeared to be to get people to buy shots. And believe me, many did), but since we were all so jet lagged we stuck to beer. Well, and this shot of brandvinn that came with our meal. Oh, and celebrity gossip, apparently this is the restaurant where TomKat had their last meal as a married couple …

So my expectations we a a bit low re the food as it had that “too cool for school” feeling going on (and if that expression didn’t just age me, I don’t know what will). But the food was fantastic. Here’s where I confess to eating things I never thought I’d eat, and some of you might be offended by the fact that I did. It was a tasting menu and, well – I tasted everything. Including …

 Puffin. Yes, that’s puffin. They have a lot of them here. And next confession: It was delicious. Rather duck-like.

‘Kay here’s the one that may lose me some friends: That’s whale on the left. Mink whale. They “harvest” them here. It was also pretty tasty, but I had a hard time wrapping my brain around that one. On the other hand I had no problem eating the reindeer burger on the right! Maybe because my husband is Swedish, or because we eat venison at home – reindeer just doesn’t feel like a big deal.

We had to pack it in after dinner because we were dead tired, but let’s just say we heard the Reykjavik revellers off and on till at least 4 am.

Today (Sunday) we took a fantastic 3 and a half hour bike tour with a lovely Icelander from the aptly named “Bike Tour” company. He was awesome (and from the scent arising from his pores I know he, too, enjoyed partying on Saturday night). He took us all over Reykjavik and beyond.

We stopped outside city hall, and this is the statue that stands there. What that says about what it’s like to be a politician in Iceland, I don’t know. Their last mayor, Gnarr, was a comedian who ran as a joke and got elected (and by many accounts did a very good job).

 

And those white buildings with red roofs in the distance? It’s Iceland’s “White House!” Seriously, that’s where the Prime Minister lives.

And these last two photos epitomize, to me, the Icelandic Optimism. It was approximately 12 degrees today while we did our bike tour. Yet there were still people on the beach, and even people swimming in the Atlantic!

Now we lounge, with some of our airport-bought beer. Soon dinner. Tomorrow we pick up our rental car and begin our almost 2-week journey around the Ring Road. With any luck, we’ll see some elves …