Friday, April 10, 2009

More from the beach with the really cool rocks...

The beach with the really cool rocks...

The lighthouse...

There are two kinds of light houses in Iceland. The first kind is the tall type that we expect to see when we hear "lighthouse". The second type looks more like an outhouse. The tall type is called Witthus and the short one is called...wait for it.....Halfwitt!

Public art meets endless hot water...


This foot tub is out by the lighthouse. It was carved from a single stone and is filled by geothermal water and flows endlessly out the other side.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

So cool...I love it here!



I saw a sign that made me laugh because it said "WC". I asked what it meant in Icelandic and was told "Wash Closet". I cracked up! I couldn't believe that the WC was the WC...then Heidi explained...there are no public restrooms in Reykjavik. Some businesses have facilities for customers, but many do not. So here is the WC...

This one is on the sidewalk in front of the bus station...and they're not free! It's strictly "pay as you go"!

Monday, April 6, 2009

I'm here!

I arrived in Keflavik this morning at about 0430. It was a very interesting experience since this is my first time having to do the whole passport thing. There is a security screening to get out of the airport just like our screening to get in. The only difference is that you can leave your shoes on.
I made it through security out to Keflavik easier than I made it in through security at McCarran...that story was lost in cyberspace at JFK, though.
Anyway, I'm off to the "hotpots"...the geothermally heated hot tubs on the roof!
More later...

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Packing, packing, repacking...

I have my passport, my e-ticket, and a suitcase big enough to nap in. This is absolutely the strangest list of items I have ever packed. Long underwear, bathing suit, flip-flops. Thermal shirts, Levis, taco sauce. Hiking boots, tortillas, wool socks. A pound of chocolate, down parka, cheese puffs. It goes on and on like this. More than half of my suitcase is filled with gifts...and on the way home I am sure it will be the same!
So...finish packing. Sleep until 3:00am and then be at the airport by 4:00 am for a 6:00am flight.
I have never been so excited to get so little sleep!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Waiting...but not patiently!

Today is the day that my passport arrives. According to tracking at FedEx it's on the truck and on the way to my house. Hubby is at home waiting to sign for it. Once it arrives I will breathe a little sigh of relief!
After school today, when all the spring cleaning is done, I need to shop for the last few essentials for the trip. I still need hiking socks, another pair of leggings, and...chocolate! The socks are for the new boots, the leggings are for insulation under the jeans, and the chocolate is for breakfast!
The high today in Reykjavik is 46F with 81% humidity. Maybe I need two pairs of leggings....