Reykjavik Ruminations: 333516 and a Whole Lotta Feeling
okay, so i just got back from reykjavik. it was… a lot. like, a lot. i’ve been wrestling with these numbers - 333516 and 1231393469 - in my head since i landed. they keep popping up, no rhyme or reason. i suspect it's the Icelandic air doing something weird to my brain.
the weather? i just checked and it's…a peculiar dance of sunshine and drizzle. not quite a downpour, not quite a clear day. there's this persistent mist hanging in the air, like the whole city is trying to whisper secrets. it's actually kinda beautiful, in a melancholic sort of way. i heard that this is common in the spring, but it still feels…right here.
my neighbors are mostly a mix of cool Scandinavian families and a few travelers just like me. everyone seems to be embracing the slightly gloomy atmosphere. if you get bored, akureyri is just a short drive away - they have some seriously amazing hiking trails. i think someone warned me about the wind being absolutely brutal, but honestly, it’s part of the charm.
reviews? someone told me that the sourdough bread at Brauð & Co is legendary, but another local warned me that the queues can be insane. i heard that the Harpa Concert Hall is stunning, especially at night, but it's definitely a bit pricey for a tourist splurge. i saw a group trying to get a table at Messinn, the seafood restaurant - a whole lot of shouting and waving, apparently. and don’t even think about skipping the Sky Lagoon, because someone told me that the steam room is the best in Iceland.
*gear list? okay, i’m not gonna lie - packing for Iceland is a special kind of challenge. waterproof everything. seriously. and a good pair of hiking boots. and a hat. and gloves. and maybe a scarf. a lot of layers. i also highly recommend a good camera - you'll want to capture everything, especially the light. don't forget the adapter for the Icelandic power outlets; they’re a bit different than what we’re used to.
I overheard a couple talking about the Northern Lights. Apparently, you have to be really* lucky to see them, and they’re supposed to be a bit… unpredictable. Someone also mentioned a hidden hot spring tucked away near the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It’s a local secret, not on any of the tour buses.
i spent most of my time wandering around the city center, getting lost in the maze of streets and soaking up the atmosphere. i found this little cafe near Hallgrímskirkja church - it was serving the most incredible cinnamon buns. and the street art! Reykjavik has a thriving art scene, and there are some amazing murals all over the city. i ended up spending an afternoon just walking around, camera in hand, snapping pictures.
Someone told me that the price of everything in Iceland is astronomical. It's a bit of an investment, but you really get what you pay for - the scenery is just breathtaking.
i think this trip really stuck with me. the stark landscapes, the quirky culture, the unpredictable weather… it’s all so unique. i’m already dreaming of going back. and maybe trying to decipher those numbers again. feels like they’re trying to tell me something, and i’m just not listening.
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