Eyjafjallajökull - Before and After

The photo at the top was taken by the farmer who lives in the farmhouse 14 April, 2010.  The volcano, named Eyjafjallajökull in order to trip up foreign television announcers, disrupted airline traffic and got the attention of the world.  The day we were there, that's my picture on the bottom, everything was clear.

Reykjavik Graffiti

I am pleased to report that Reykjavik has some good street artists.  The best is at the skate park - more of which can be seen here.

May Day Green Parade

Today being May Day, it was a day off and there were parades.  There are about 300,000 people in Iceland of which about 200,000 live in Reykjavik.  When we first got down to the main drag where the parades were the motorcycles were going by.  I am pretty sure every motorcycle in Iceland was in the parade.  The rest of the people were watching them.  We went and had lunch after that.  When we got back, thousands of people were marching with green flags including I imagine some of the motorcyclists.  The rest of the people were watching them.  Anyway, the story is that a conservative coalition that was pro-business (afterall, Iceland is still recoverying from the bankrupty in 2008 when the entire country turned themselves into one big hedge fund) got elected into parliament (Iceland has the oldest parliament in the world) and the green flag people are concerned about the potential impact of bringing in what I believe is an aluminum smelter based on cheap power from hydro-electric.  These people would make good citizens in Seattle.

Reykjavik Sun Voyager

There is a large statue in somewhat the shape of a viking long boat on the waterfront in Reykjavik that is prominent and famous.  I took this photo from directly behind so it is a bit more abstract.  The little island (Videy Island) on the right side of the frame is where Yoko Ono put the Imagine Peace Tower.

Hallgrimskirkja Church Organ

We were back in the church today and were fortunate enough to walk in when an organist was playing.  For a good while it was just us and the organist in the church.  Amazingly deep and beautiful sound.  We were quiet and I took my photo during a loud passage when it wouldn't bother him.  Normally that is frowned on (and something I wouldn't do) but I'm sure he didn't hear me nor did he seem to mind a tourist in the church behind him with a camera.  So unlike most concert halls and their fussy ushers even when the orchestra hasn't started playing.  Anyway, I hope he sees this - we really enjoyed his playing.

Skogafoss

There are LOTS of waterfalls in Iceland, this one is Skogafoss on the southern coast.  The waterfalls we saw today were easy to photograph with the sun behind and illuminating everything nicely.  This one was even kind enough to show a double rainbow.  The white spider web like material on the walls is ice

Geyser

Did you know that geyser is an Icelandic word?  This one is just starting it's eruption and is right next to the original (spelled geysir) that gave the world this word.

Gullfoss

The lower part of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) as seen down the valley cut.  Geologists believe it was cut in one catastrophic event when a glacial lake burst.

The new symphony hall as seen from the harbor.

Minke Whale

Not a very good picture, but still a picture.  As seems to be almost always the case, I didn't have the right lens with me but the conditions weren't great anyway.

Another Reykjavik Church

This is the Catholic Church....  Iceland went through a forced and violent change to Lutheranism during the reformation at the decree of the King of Denmark.

Hallgrimskirkja

The largest church in Iceland has has a facade that resembles basalt columns.  It is plain on the inside and lacks stained glass or adornment.  There is a famous organ that is used frequently in services and for concerts.  According to our guide, the Icelandic people are not particularly religous and I didn't see as many churches there as in other parts of Europe.  There are more in the countryside, but again according to our guide, they were built because the builder could levy fees from them.

The statue out front is Leifur Eriksson, first European to land in the Americas.  He beat Columbus by almost 500 years.

Dragon Cafe, Reykjavik

Two cool dudes enjoying a cigarette (cough, cough...)