“That we leave our homes, that we step through our doors to the world, that we travel our whole lives not because we want to collect exotic T-shirts, not because we want to consume foreign adventure the same Western way we consume plastic and Styrofoam and LCD TVs and iPads, but because it has the power to renew us—not the guarantee, not the promise, just the possibility. Because there are places our imaginations can never construct for us, and there are people who we will never meet but we could and we might. It reminds us that there is always reason to begin again.” - Stephen Markley, Tales of Iceland or "Running with the Huldufólk in the Permanent Daylight"
Dadda and I took advantage of the amazing weather on Tuesday evening and went down to Reykjavik to walk around downtown and see the touristy sites. Imagine my surprise when, with hot coffee in hand, I spotted the giant Canada Goose poster on one of the main streets. "Wait a sec...I'M A CANADA GOOSE!" I couldn't help myself and take this picture, surprised to see a symbol from home so far away. It amazes me how many people ask me how I like the cold here....ummmm yeah, its not cold here! It was -38 two weeks before I left! If Canada Goose jackets are the way to go here it is because of the wind and rain NOT the cold! I managed just fine in my winter shell, toque and gloves but took the advice about dressing in layers to heart. I may be Canadian but I don't LIKE being cold! I was intrigued by the colourful doors I spotted all along the main shopping district. This is remniscent of our road trip to Nova Scotia and PEI in 2014. I loved seeing the bright entryways beckoning the pedestrians in to shop, eat or grab a coffee. We stopped by city hall and spotted the famous Unknown Bureaucrat sculpture by Magnús Tómasson. It was perfect timing as no one was lingering about in the background. The duck pond leading up to city hall is full of all kinds of birds, no rubber chickens though, so I snapped this picture for my bird-lover Zane. Now most of you know I have a terrible stomach. My culinary bravery is limited not by a lack of adventure but of digestive distress. I had hoped to try shark, I really did, but I don't think it is something I can manage at this point. When I saw this sign I laughed...during our drive around Snaefellsnes Dorí explained to me that everywhere else in the world people got eaten by sharks but in Iceland, as you are a viking, you are the ones eating them! Sinnep is the world famous Icelandic hot dog sauce! Just before leaving Canada I asked my boys what they anted me to bring back for them. After Dramur chocolate and Djúpur candies "HOT DOG SAUCE" was next on their list. Never fear boys, I have some in my suitcase for you!
Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 74.5 metres high, it is the largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country. The church is named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson, author of the Passion Hymns. You can see this against the skyline all the way in Akranes and it has become a symbol of Reykjavik all over the world. Although we didn't go inside, the sheer enormity of it can be felt peering up, up, waaaaaay up (for all you CBC fans) to capture the steeple and the statue in one shot. As we were leaving to go pick up our amazing Thai food from Ban Thai, I was excited to hear the bells chime for 7:00pm. Last but not least is the Sun Voyager sculpture. This very large steel structure is a gem of the harbour swarming with tourists day and night. I happened to jump out of the car at just the right moment to snap this pic. I have another shot from the side but it does not capture the beauty of the mountains in the background. There is something pure and crystalline about seeing steel against snow and a bright blue sky. No photoshop here folks, this is the real, unedited, deal. Just two more days here and I am already dreading the goodbye. I am excited to see my crew again of course, I am sure Dave is in desperate need fo some sleep, but I will be sad to say goodbye here.
1 Comment
Alison
4/4/2019 18:23:43
Love the Canada Goose story!
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AuthorAubrey: "Leader of the Elves"....that's me. Mom of two amazing guys, wife to one bigger (yet no less amazing) guy and teacher of little ones. Blogging about the adventures (usually with my rubber chicken in tow) is one of my favourite things. Archives
April 2019
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