Last fall when I started planning a spring vacation to Germany to join my friend Renate’s 80th birthday celebration, I began searching for flights. I had heard that Icelandair had excellent fares and indeed they did. Best of all, they encouraged their customers to stop over in Iceland for a few days at no extra charge. How could I say no to that offer? I added two days in Iceland to that plan, and as a result, I’m sitting here in a hostel in Reykjavik this April evening. Tomorrow afternoon I’ll fly to Hamburg for Renate’s party preceded by two days on my own.
Coming to Iceland was an excellent choice. Partly because travel always intensifies days and I love that. Habitual mind is broken and so many new experiences enter into a day. The result may not always be good, but it’s never ever boring. In this case, it’s all been good. A few observations on why that’s so:
First, I got over 90% of jet lag on my first day—after a 7-1/2 hour flight and 6-hour time difference. A combination of common sense, such as putting yourself on the new schedule before you arrive. Taking a homeopathic remedy (Jet Zone tabs) which either worked or showed the power of the placebo effect. And finally, toughing it out a bit on Day 1 by resisting sleep until it was time to go to bed on the new schedule. My matttress here at the Downtown HI Hostel was very comfy and I enjoyed a deep uninterrupted sleep.
Second source of pleasure—the allure of a bargain. Yes, the flight fare was a bargain and so was the hostel, but Iceland is infamous for high prices. On day 1 I went to the Reykjavík Art Museum (free to seniors over 67!), and took a dip in one of the city’s thermal pools—also free for seniors and nominal cost to others. I wandered around the Harpa culture center and admired it’s multicolored glass roof. I splurged on a $20 ticket at the Perlman Planetarium, seduced at the prospect of seeing the Aurora Borealis after the season was over. The fact that it was on the Planetarium ceiling and not outdoors bothered me not one whit. The swim ended the day, and I bought dinner (quite tasty sushi at a small convenience grocery) and savored it in the hostel kitchen. Enough for one day!
Third satisfaction—The Golden Circle tour that just about every tourist takes, including a state park, a series of geysers, and an amazing powerful waterfall. Our minibus tour guide gave us many insights into Icelandic history and culture, and the day ended with a soak in another thermal pool—The Secret Lagoon (not very secret at all, but a sensible venture into tourism by a farm family.
Photos coming. The first is an ordinary house in the center of Reykjavik. Notice the open window pane on the right side. Geothermal energy heats houses and if you want it cooler and/or ventilated, just open the window!
Below: The glass windows in the Harpa building.
Below: the view from the Downtown Hostel cafe: lots of grafffiti.
On the Golden Circle route: The American and Euro tectonic plates meet here—well, within 5 km.
An unscheduled stop. A local farmer puts his elderly horses for happy tourists to feed (approved candy only) and pet.
A powerful beautiful waterfall.
