We discovered yesterday that it was a religious holiday in Iceland – Ascension Day – so many things were closed. Today is our own personal holiday, Tami’s Birthday, so we have some fearsome shopping ahead of us. Maybe I can even find some chocolate cake somewhere.
It is very apparent we are farther north than we are used to. The darkest it gets is kind of duskish. Even at 2 am, our hotel room is quite light – at least no stubbing toes in the dark! It is also on the chilly side. We have been quite comfortable walking around all day in a long sleeve shirt, sweater, and coat. And that is on a sunny day in the middle of May. I would guess that it is in the 40’s when we head out, and maybe gets into the 50’s in the “heat” of the day.
We have also noticed that while the water tastes very good here, anytime you turn on the hot water you smell sulfur. Geothermal is a major source of heat, hot water, and power here. I have even heard of a restaurant that cooks its food directly over geothermal steam. We are curious how the first settlers stayed warm, because there sure are not trees anywhere around.
In many ways Iceland feels like Seattle. Not only is the weather reminiscent, but it is clear that people are very outdoorsy. There are many more shops selling outdoor clothing than shops selling high fashion. So Tami should not expect any Christian Dior or Gucci for her birthday! It also seems true that everyone here actually does wear those Icelandic sweaters that you always hear about. I think just about every other store sells them, and just about every other person on the streets is wearing one. For the cheap tourists there is even a T-shirt you can buy that looks like a traditional Icelandic sweater. (Keenan, be afraid, be very afraid.)
We will have to do a separate blog about the food here, if you dare to read it. The menus can be, umm, unusual.
Happy birthday Tami. Shops closed on your birthday. Thatvis just wrong.
Thank you! Fortunately, they opened those shops back up for my birthday– they must have known we had some serious shopping to do!
Happy Birthday (and Mt. St. Helens Day) Tami! We have very much enjoyed following your travel adventures. I don’t know where you guys are finding time to add to this detailed epic but it is most entertaining. Maybe Mike can find you an Icelandic riding jersey or something. Since chocolate seems hard to come by, what about a nice big slice Haddock pie, I understand that is an Icelandic B’day tradition.
We’re looking forward to the separate Icelandic food blog. Happy travels.
Well, I have seen haddock pie on a menu, but fortunately we found a bar of Icelandic chocolate, and started the day with a chocolate croissant, of course! Thank you for the birthday greetings, and enjoy today’s food blog!
“In many ways Iceland feels like Seattle.”
Lots of people running around in flannel plaid shirts?
Happy TamiDay!
Maybe you can arrange to have an Icelandic volcano explode for your birthday, just like St. Helens back in 1980. We were at the U-District street fair that day, do you remember?
Thank you! Yes, that was a busy day back in 1980, wasn’t it?! I was thinking this morning about the juxtaposition of being here in the land of volcanoes on my birthday, the anniversary of Mt St Helens! We just hope none decide to blow before we leave on our plane tomorrow.
Happy Birthday! A town full of people wearing Icelandic sweaters sounds very entertaining!
Thank you, Keenan! Yes, definitely the Land of the Sweater People, but we are also seeing lots of Goretex, too!