Friday, May 8, 2020

Happy International Viking Day!

Our second day in Reykjavik found our brains less foggy ... our bodies less sluggish ... and our enthusiasm strong!  After 39 years we were so excited to have returned to Iceland!  We were informed by the hotel receptionist that May 8th is International Viking Day!  Perfect!
This pond served as a landmark while navigating Reykjavik back in 1980 ... this city has grown and evolved so much ... this natural landmark served us well again in 2019!  We found Reykjavik to be a very walkable city ... our hotel was independently owned and had a central location.
Half a block and around the corner ... look what we found!  The Hand Knitting Society of Iceland! When we booked the hotel, we had no idea it was so closely located to this store ... providence at work!
I love that Icelandic sheep producers are working cooperatively together to protect the authenticity of their sheep related products!  We fell in love with their insignia ... and all it represents!  This was posted next to the door of the shop!
Walking into the store ... can only be described as magical!
Every garment was hand knit by an Icelandic citizen ...
... with authentic Icelandic wool!
I was swooning ... and because my mouth was open, probably drooling as well! 😉 It was overwhelming ... and that is an understatement!
Of the hundreds of sweaters in the shop ... this was my favorite!
Leaving the shop and looking left ... our next stop!
The Hallgrimskirkja!
This Lutheran church was designed in 1930 ... construction began in 1945 ... it was finished in the 1980's.  It was not finished when we were here in 1980, so we were excited to visit!
I love the simplicity of Scandinavian inspired design.  
Light ... clear ... functional ... unadorned ... very authentic to the materials used and culture it represents.
The baptismal font ... gorgeous!
The pulpit ... beautiful!
The organ ... stunning! It was added in the 1990's funded by donations from the public.
We really would like to attend a service here during our next visit to Iceland!
"Leif the Lucky" ... our son's namesake!
Arctic Char
We nibbled during the day ... with plans for a substantial, authentic Icelandic meal in the evening.  We found a restaurant that specialized in Icelandic seafood!
Cod 
Because we live in an Alaskan commercial fishing community ... we were especially drawn to how Iceland prepares its seafood! Absolutely delicious ... unusually prepared in our experience!  When a restaurant is packed on a week night by local residents (not tourists) you know the food will be excellent and authentic!
On our way back to the hotel that night, we found these two in a gift shop window display.  They perfectly reflect how we felt ... tired and happy!  It had been our first time celebrating International Viking Day ... in Iceland ... providentially perfect!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!
Mrs. DillyDally

1 comment:

  1. What a beautiful town with amazing sites.
    Those knitted garments are amazing.
    Marilyn

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