The entire population of Iceland is about 320,000 people. Most of these live in the city of Reykjavik. (Rake-a-vik ) It's a mix of old and new buildings and designs. The newer architecture for the most part is cutting edge in shape and materials used. I was there with Elinor in Sept 09, not too long after the entire country went bankrupt and swept away peoples savings and mortgages. I'm going to blame this emotional blow as the reason that most of the people that I met in the shops and streets were not so very friendly. OK, downright rude...as in " take your coffee and muffin...and shove off" ( my words , not theirs....that's how it felt ) The language was impossible, the signs unreadable....it was our new game to guess what we were buying at the supermarket each time we went. Don't even get me started on some dried fish snack food that tasted like the freeze-dried underwear of a hard working overweight truck-driver.
Here is a quick pan around the downtown area from up on a hill by the museum. It's a windy day...turn your volume down a bit....you won't miss a thing
In the next post, I'm going to absolutely "gush" over the hospitality of our hosts and new friends in Iceland...they really made the trip for us. On the trip, at the time...I did whine and complain about the place and people quite a bit. Now...after pondering the whole thing a while...I'm willing to try it again with a different plan of attack.
The best, warmest weather happens in the May/June time of year. Mid 20's C and tanning outdoors is possible. In September, I felt like I was walking around West Vancouver on a blustery fall day. It had the feel of wealth and privilege...even after the epic financial disaster.
Wow....Icelandic seagulls!
The view of the city from our hosts kitchen
This is the result of a Mexican architect designing an Icelandic home
Morning fuel
Geo-thermal energy plant...the entire island is full off steam vents to the surface. Most of the islands electrical energy ( spinning turbines ) and hot water for heat...comes right out of the rocks
Volvo Police car....pretty unique for a Canadian boy...maybe not so much for the Europeans among you
A "Cat" dealership....I wouldn't have guessed that one
City bus
Busy side street, just off the main drag
Something really important is going to happen in the next 300 meters....no clue what... though
I think by now....every city should have one of these
Viking supply store
Pizza is universal
New construction down in the harbour ( 2009 )
Big billboard for an outdoor clothing company
Hardy looking little boats in the marina
Old fishing boat high and dry...up on blocks
Industrial boat repair yard
Two old whaling ships....Iceland still hunts whales for it's own use and for export
The flip side of whale hunting is whale-watching...moored just yards apart...I wonder if the crews ever switch jobs?
See?..the weather in Iceland is not that bad some times.
Add graffiti to the list of universal things
Asking directions...with a massive language barrier
All signed up to run a marathon !
Telephoto shot of an old farm....the boat in the foreground is on blocks
There's one smiling/happy Icelander
Rain and wind on the way in
Colorful sporting goods store with a stone sculpture out in the lane
Cartoon in a store window...I'm guessing it's something about the business leaders who brought the country's economy down
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