A Weekend in Reykjavik

Þingvellir National Park

All these accidents
That happen
Follow the dot
Coincidence

Makes sense
Only with you
You don't have to speak
I feel

Emotional landscapes
They puzzle me
Then the riddle gets solved
And you push me up to this

State of emergency
How beautiful to be
State of emergency
Is where I want to be

All that no-one sees
You see
What's inside of me
Every nerve that hurts

You heal
Deep inside of me, oo-oohh
You don't have to speak
I feel……

(Joga by Björk)

Björk's love song dedicated to her best friend and to Iceland, was apparently inspired during a visit Björk made to her native home one Christmas, amidst long walks in strange weather. 

Strange and unusual could probably describe my first impressions on the bus from the airport to Reykjavik city centre, peering out of the window at the moonlike landscape which hinted at the most unimaginable, dramatic landscapes to be encountered in the next few days. Reykjavik roughly translates to Smoky Bay and legend has it that the city was named after geothermal steam that greeted the first settlers….

Geothermal steam

The Long and Winding Road

Reykjavik in comparison with other cities in Europe comes across as a small town but initial impressions belie the wealth of culture and the old soul of the land and its people. It does seem as if long, harsh winters have also given birth to a creativity of expression in other unexpected ways: through art, culture, folklore, food, poetry and these, in addition to the spectacular landscapes, provide a truly unique and even spiritual experience. If it’s nightlife that you’re after, this is party capital and it’s pretty amazing how this calm city by day, suddenly transforms to a pulsating metropolis at night but still retains its intimacy because of its small size. 

I would have taken more photos but my hands (and other bits) were freezing! But the memories of this pristine land and its unexpected offerings will stay with me forever. 

Gullfoss Waterfall