We arrived after midnight in Reykjavik with dusk settling in... Or so we thought. What I assumed would be darkness for two hours is more like dusk - that IS Icelandic darkness in spring. So, I guess the 22 hours of purported daylight are more like 24 hours.
The sleekly designed Reykjavik airport was a welcome sight to weary travelers - some connecting to other parts of Europe. We were one of the few for whom this is the final destination.
We found the desk for our rental car company and waited for the customer ahead of us to decide if she wanted ash insurance. Because of the recent volcanic eruption in the south, some cars are returning with paint and glass damage from the pumice dust.
A young man approached us, carrying two bags. "Are you headed into Reykjavik? Can I give you gas money for a ride? The bus is $35."
Katie and I looked at each other and said, "Sure." It was 2:00 am, still sunny, we were about to decide if we wanted ash insurance... might as well pick up a bright-eyed hitchhiker.
Kevin is from Long Island and is on a barely planned trip. He made his flight reservations in a daze after being enthralled by his last visit here in February. He ONLY made flight reservations.
During the 25 minute ride into town, Kevin gave us his version of a traveler's guide to Iceland... Deftly pronouncing 20-letter town names he had visited. His plans this time include hitchhiking and eating a cube of spoiled shark, an Icelandic delicacy. Whether or not I join him in this endeavor remains to be seen...
We drove him approximately to his destination - he couldn't find the scrap of paper that included his friend's address and phone number - but had a general idea of the building's location. We exchanged emails and Katie and I left.
Reykjavik was hopping with bar-crawlers. Our night desk clerk said the bars are open til 5:00 or 6:00. We slept.
Refreshed, we are enjoying a lovely breakfast and will decide the day's plan.
The sleekly designed Reykjavik airport was a welcome sight to weary travelers - some connecting to other parts of Europe. We were one of the few for whom this is the final destination.
We found the desk for our rental car company and waited for the customer ahead of us to decide if she wanted ash insurance. Because of the recent volcanic eruption in the south, some cars are returning with paint and glass damage from the pumice dust.
A young man approached us, carrying two bags. "Are you headed into Reykjavik? Can I give you gas money for a ride? The bus is $35."
Katie and I looked at each other and said, "Sure." It was 2:00 am, still sunny, we were about to decide if we wanted ash insurance... might as well pick up a bright-eyed hitchhiker.
Kevin is from Long Island and is on a barely planned trip. He made his flight reservations in a daze after being enthralled by his last visit here in February. He ONLY made flight reservations.
During the 25 minute ride into town, Kevin gave us his version of a traveler's guide to Iceland... Deftly pronouncing 20-letter town names he had visited. His plans this time include hitchhiking and eating a cube of spoiled shark, an Icelandic delicacy. Whether or not I join him in this endeavor remains to be seen...
We drove him approximately to his destination - he couldn't find the scrap of paper that included his friend's address and phone number - but had a general idea of the building's location. We exchanged emails and Katie and I left.
Reykjavik was hopping with bar-crawlers. Our night desk clerk said the bars are open til 5:00 or 6:00. We slept.
Refreshed, we are enjoying a lovely breakfast and will decide the day's plan.
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