Reykjavik Rhapsody: Numbers, Ice, & a Whole Lotta Sheep
okay, so i'm still processing *Reykjavik. it's… a lot. i landed last night, and honestly, the air tasted like freedom and slightly salty fish. 2394560, 1204972666 - no clue what those are, but they felt significant. like some kind of code to unlock the city’s secrets. the weather? i just checked and it's... a crisp, almost biting coolness, with a hint of sunshine trying to peek through. hope you like that kind of thing. the forecast said around 32°F, feels like 30°F, and the pressure's holding steady. definitely layering is the move here.
i'm staying in a surprisingly cute little Airbnb near the harbor. the view is… well, it's mostly boats and a whole lot of gray. but there's a certain charm to it. the neighbors seem pretty chill - mostly locals, a few other travelers. if you get bored, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is just a short drive away, supposedly. TripAdvisor has some good ideas for day trips.
i spent most of yesterday wandering around, getting wonderfully lost. Hallgrímskirkja church is a must-see, the views from the top are insane. check out Visit Reykjavik for info on tours. The street art is pretty cool too; little bursts of color against the otherwise minimalist landscape. I even stumbled upon a tiny music venue - clearly a thriving music scene. Someone told me that the best seafood isn't always in the fancy restaurants, but you gotta know where to look.
“Don’t be afraid to get lost. That’s where you find the good stuff.” - a local barista, probably.
the food scene is interesting. i tried some fermented shark. yeah, it’s… an experience. probably not something i’ll be rushing back for, but hey, gotta try it, right? i heard that the lamb soup is the real deal; apparently it's a national treasure. a local warned me about the price of beer - it’s not cheap! Yelp reviews say Skoolbar has a good vibe, but be prepared for a queue.
speaking of vibes, the city feels… ancient, somehow. Like the wind carries stories of Vikings and sagas. There's a certain quietness, despite the tourists. i think it's the space, the vastness of the landscape surrounding the city. And the sheep. Oh god, the sheep. They're everywhere*. they just… exist. peacefully grazing, seemingly oblivious to the human chaos. it’s oddly soothing. Guide to Iceland has a super cute article about sheep spotting!
it’s a little overwhelming, but in a good way. i’m just going to wander, soak it all in, and see where the numbers take me. maybe they’re coordinates for a hidden hot spring? or just a grocery list? who knows. maybe i’ll even try to learn a few Icelandic phrases. ”