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| View from our hotel, Reykjavik |
Well, here we are in the land of the Vikings, a place I never dreamed of or thought I would be. It was a most convivial beginning as we rode the Grey Line from the airport to Reykjavik. The entire bus was entertained by a local tour guide passenger who was three sheets to the wind. Wayne was directly across the aisle from him, and misguidedly encouraged him with polite responses. We were lectured on what not to do. "Don't go near the water at the black beach. I beg of you. I beg of you. Please, please. I will love you forever if you don't go near the water." "Don't go into the ice cave. I know you want to see where Russell Crowe was naked. But don't go. I will love you forever if you don't go." Later when a group of us boarded the transit van to our hotel, we were all in stitches repeating his conversation. Every Icelander since has been just as friendly, helpful, happy and polite but with a more sober approach.
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| Downtown Reykjavik |
Iceland: much less snow than I anticipated. Just as freezing as I anticipated. Much less dark than I anticipated. Just as interesting as I anticipated. Today we walked the main streets which are filled with winter wear shops. We found the Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church which seems to stand guard over Reykjavik. At 244' it is among the tallest structures in Iceland. It is made of concrete in a most contemporary fashion that mimics the geography of Iceland. The interior is totally white and austere but soaring high with gothic vaulting. Tonight we enjoyed local music and fare at Cafe Rosenberg. Kristian Kristianson of the KK Band entertained us with some jazzy blues. See pictures at flickr
