In our final hours at Reykjavik, there we were sitting at Domino’s learning our couchsurfing hosts brilliantly executed plan for surviving the luxurious prices of even the simplest food in this city – Tuesday’s 3 topping special for $10 near Reykjavik harbor. It might not sound like much to an American, but Iceland Dominos does in fact make a damn good pizza. What with beer at $10 and simple burger at $15, Jaime and I greedily devoured our 3 topping delight while we sat in awe as Damian easily mastered the whole pie – this was a Tuesday tradition for him.
The previous evening we stayed up with Damian and Lena, our couchsurfing hosts in Iceland, as they explained their foreign home. They both grew up in Poland, met in their mid 20’s dancing Lindy hop, and decided to move to Iceland a year ago to try a change. How Americans can move to different states with ease so can Europeans living within the Schengen territories, which both Poland and Iceland reside. This can be advantageous even with the high prices of Iceland. As Lena described it, she can make 4 times what she could in Poland as an IT web designer in Reykjavik and the Iceland’s benefits are better.
Speaking of skirting expensive food and drink, Jaime and I took advantage of the endless happy hour list. Happy hour in Iceland = normal priced drink in the US. They even have an app in Iceland to help you find the nearest one.
It wasnt all food and drink, budget backpacking hop-scotch. We also enjoyed the diversity of Reykjavik, which was especially on display as we had arrived at the beginning of their pride week. Their paraliament buildings visitor center was the staging ground for all things glitter and fabulous, alas, we realized we would not be there for the weekends upcoming parade.
During our trip around the island, we kept wondering what Icelanders do during the long nights of winter (18 hours I believe), and the abundance of thermal baths and microbreweries may explain part of it. The apparent artist culture in Reykjavik and surrounding towns in Iceland, as well as the historic relevance of great literature and poetry exported from this tiny island completes the theory of what winter solitude can provide the restless soul. Every where in Reykjavik is art: beautiful architecture, simple and tasteful interior decorating, musical talent in every corner, and sculpture dotting the city – hell, even the engineers dressed in style here.
If we had one more day in the city, we would have bought the museum pass, which we found out was available just a little too late. Touring the ring road and ending in Reykjavik may have been a little backwards as well, but with our travel plans made sense. Ultimately, if I was only visiting Iceland I think seeing the capital for a few days first would be the way to go.
I can’t believe we didnt get a couchsurfing photo, but big shout out to Damian and Lena for allowing us to stay at their place for two nights – one block away from the Hallgrimskirkja church no less! We had a great time and look forward to crossing paths again in the future.
Morgan and Jaime's Wanderings 