Iceland is for the BIRDS


BirdsFeeding_0036, originally uploaded by carolsLittleWorld.

Yes, you read it here first-there are birds in downtown Reykjavik. There’s this one spot where they feed the birds (throw bread to them) and you can sit and bird watch. I find this mildly addictive. Tonight, instead of waiting in the queue for the bus, I opted instead to sit on the park bench and watch the birds feeding. It’s great.

Park benches are so underrated these days. Everybody has so many things to do, places to see, people to meet-nobody stops to rest and feed the birds anymore. Luckily, they do this in Iceland. And, for those of you following along, something tells me this is not the last of the bird shots from Iceland (there’s a big hint for you!) So please check back if you’re so inclined.

Today was spent walking, walking, walking. I went to the incredible church in the middle of town and shot some pictures of that, and then went walking the streets of downtown.

It was Icelandic Culture Day which is a big annual event here. They are going to have fireworks at sunset (11 pm for those curious) and they had all kinds of street vendors, performers, and the like.

As I walked around, I tried to catch some of the music. I heard a local band butcher Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” (what is it about that song the attracts so many bands who don’t really speak English?) and an INCREDIBLE blues band. The blues band was really good-I found myself having to stop and listen to at least 3 songs. They did “Sill Got the Blues for You” and a country tinged “Me and Bobby McGee.” They were really very good. I also heard another band that were native English speakers perform some self-penned work which was quite nice.

I toured the opera house which is beautiful and got some grab and go food (which was not, but it wasn’t too bad.) I got lost around the residential parts of town and found myself doing a lot of lensbabes of the traditional brightly colored houses (look for some of those to follow.) The bus was free today, so I would up taking transport more local tuned as well.

At the opera house, as I was walking out, I noticed an array of old Cadillac cars lined up on the side, sort of like a mini Icelandic car show. It was wild to see so many old Caddys in one place-they even had a bunch with the big fins on the pack. It was wild. I had to take a picture and then, after I did, the owner tried to start his car. Of course, being fine American craftsmanship, the engine didn’t turn. I just laughed and said aloud, “Ha! That’s American quality for you!” before slipping off to head back into town.

All in all, another great day in Reykjavik. It actually started to get cool in the late afternoon/early evening and I found myself HAVING TO WEAR A JACKET IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. Wow! What else can I say about that? When it’s a balmy 62 a light jacket is not such a bad idea. Ok, queen flake has not thrown any snowballs just let but, heck, it’s only Sunday. There’s still time for that, right?

Haven’t uploaded any shots from today, just chimped in camera, since I had such a long day.

Oh, and the Japanese tourists? One of them practically knocked me over in the breakfast queue to get to the pineapple. I guess they know how to eat that, eh? At least they weren’t forced to yet again ponder the complexities of bread while learning how to use genuine silverware.

Pineapple for your thoughts?

Until next time…

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2 Comments

  1. Peruby
    Author
    August 21, 2011 / 12:19 pm

    I don't like to stereotype but the Asians nearly ruined my Niagara Falls vacation a couple of years ago. They swarmed in a group of about 50, were rude, did not follow the rules and made it miserable for the rest of us.

  2. Carol
    Author
    August 26, 2011 / 12:20 am

    I know what you mean. They seem to travel in large packs and just sort of take over the place. I think tourists (of any nationality) are hard to take in such large groups. It's really not a healthy thing-people, when they travel, should try to fit in more rather than bring a tribe from home along with them for the ride.

    Luckily, I'm not traveling through more remote areas so fewer tourists (except for my smaller group) now.

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