Day One: Reykjavik

At approx. 5:50 local time, our Icelandair plane touched down on a totally foreign tarmac. It seemed like an alien planet with its terrain that is simultaneously flat, volcanic, and scraggly. 

Sarah took a picture of us upon our arrival. In the background you can see a sign with a characteristically ridiculously long and difficult Icelandic word. Navigating through the airport was easy and comfortable, but then we stepped outside. 

The wind was torrential. Little daggers of mist stabbed through our clothes and reddened our faces. It buffeted us, almost pushing us off of sidewalks. We barely made it to the FlyBus alive. Fortunately, there was WiFi to assuage our injuries. The wind continued as our bus traveled through the alien land, pushing us out of our lane a few times. Seriously, I can't over-exaggerate the wind. Finally, we arrived at BSI (the bus station) where we had a small breakfast and spent a long time sitting, waiting for our host to let us know that we could move into our apartment. He came and went, and we set off after getting very confusing directions from a guy who spoke very little English. Predictably, we got lost. Super lost. We wandered through the bitterly cold Reykjavik, trying to shield our faces from the stinging wind while admiring the picturesque buildings and vegetation. We clutched our weather-beaten map like a lifeline, trying to read the Icelandic street names. Bankastræti became "Turn left at Bankstreet-y and then Pinklestreet-y!" as hands grew numb and tempers grew thin.

We did eventually make it and, after some difficulty getting in, got to look around our apartment and get out of our damp clothes.

As you can see, it's a lovely place and Nick had no problem feeling at home. We took showers and napped for a bit before heading out to explore and grocery shop. We walked through the downtown shopping area and made our way to an imposing church, far taller than any of the other buildings. 

The door was cool. 

We paid 700kr (about 5 USD) and took an elevator up to the clock tower.

After that, it was only a flight of stairs to the very top, from which we could see all of Reykjavik. 

After the church, we went to a supermarket and got some necessities so that I could make dinner. Check the sidelinks for Nick's food blog. As I sit here typing, we're winding down. Joyce has already passed out next to me. These past two days have felt more like one REALLY long day, so we're all tired.

Exhaustion and hellish weather aside, I consider Day One a success. We've only begun to see this beautiful country, but I'm already quite charmed by it.