Translation:  Iceland is cool , no, cold.  Iceland is one of our favorite stops by far!

Another view of Reykjavik

We have been bundled up since we got here, but the weather is mostly sunny and we are prepared. We just really like Reykjavik, though, with it’s abundance of beauty, innovative art, incredible food, and small city atmosphere. There is even a bit of a frontier feel to it (think Alaska).

We can't show gallery art, but there is fun street art

Even the jewelry has been exceptional.  Clearly the people here have the time and inclination for creativity. We found many small, independent jewelry shops where individual artists were creating their own pieces, each unique and beautiful. I am coming home with a beautiful ring created in a studio by a father and daughter duo. To find such a concentration of independent and creative art in such a small area was astounding. Again, I have visions of successful galleries!

Another street scene

This morning we stopped into a music store we had read about that carried a lot of Icelandic music and had a listening room where it could be previewed.  We spent close to two hours sampling various CDs, aided by a very helpful proprietor who kept bringing us more things to listen to.  We listened to everything from electronic to modern folk to blues, all from the island. We passed on the electronic, but did pick up a few CDs of contemporary folk and Mike bought a blues CD. We can hardly wait to listen to them all the way through at home.

Gulls with a friend

This was a thoroughly wonderful birthday spent browsing great art, music, and eating some awesome eats. And of course, we finished with some fine Icelandic chocolate! -T

We definitely hope to return again, hopefully when it’s warmer (yeah, good luck)!

– MT

Across the street from our hotel