Reykjasomething

Góðan daginn! That’s hello in Icelandic, or something like that. I’ve been in Reykjavik for two days, and still don’t know how to pronounce the city’s name. So, let’s look at a rundown of what has happened:

• Pulled an all-nighter trying to pack everything in 1 suitcase. Did it.
• Fly to New York. Jet Blue is not impressive. Sat next to a guy who went to the bathroom and brought his dookie back with him in his pocket, I’m pretty sure. Stank like hell.
• 8 hour layover in JFK. Read some of Lost Symbol. Let some old Italian lady borrow my phone to talk to her daughter. Ate McDonalds because it was cheapest.
• Iceland Air from JFK to Keflavik – a lot of leg room, comfortable leather seats that reclined way back, touch screen entertainment, and spiffy uniforms. No free food on an international flight, though. You’re joking. Sat next to a young married couple who bickered the whole way. I smell divorce.
• Bus to Reykjavik all alone. First impression of Iceland: Rocky and empty.
• Arrived at Reykjavik around 8:30. Read some more in the bus station to give my couchsurfing host (James) some time to wake up. Iceland is cold. Near freezing.
• Walked about 30 minutes to James’ place. Beautiful views of the water and mountains along the way, but damn it’s cold.
• Dropped my junk off and proceeded to walk around the city, along the coastline and around the center. Got hungry after a few hours and stopped in cafe babalu. Ate a panini and drank tea for a couple of hours. Back onto the streets.
• Started falling asleep near the beach, so time to go home. Figured I’d sleep at 7.
• Got to talking with another couchsurfer staying there, a Canadian girl. Drank some beers with James and ate some chocolate cake. Thank you, James.
• Went upstairs to hang out with some of his friends. Did not play Icelandic trivia games.
• Went downtown to several bars\clubs. Only bought one beer to save some cashola. Cold.
• Came back, went to bed at 4:30. Only 10 hours later than I planned.
• Woke up at noon, and headed back to babalu to read and write.

I’m perfectly content just hanging out and not seeing the sights. I’ve really enjoyed walking around the city, and the coast is beautiful. I’d like to see some of the important sights though. I’m considering taking a day tour to see the main sights, but I’d have to drop a fat wad of cash for that. Actually, I’d just have to swipe my credit card. It would hurt just as much though. Still, I’ll probably never be back here. I’ll be in Reykjavik for a couple more days, and then I’m off to Paris. And now for pictures I didn’t take of places I did see:

Related posts:

1. I’m Traveling to… Iceland?
2. I Ate a Whale
3. Doing the Tourist Thing
4. Quel Coincidence!