Blogging Reykjavik

Whether we believe in something divine, need to find the correct exit in case of fire or wish to know which traffic rules apply we all look for signs. Signs are unique and each of them tells a story.

Through the streets of Reykjavik you can follow many signs, the correct way to a shop, signs that lead to damnation, one way streets and small pointers that make life a little easier to navigate.

What is your sign?
















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The Elliðará station was opened in 1921 and at that time was enough to power the entire Capital, the consumption of electricity rose quite steadily so more power plants needed to be built to cover the increase in demand. Today the Elliðarár virkjun is still in operation but only delivers a limited amount of Reykjavik's needs. In the Elliðarár valley you can find a power museum, beautiful walk ways and you can even fish salmon. How many capitals have a salmon fishing river running through them?

I don't recommend eating anything you catch in the Thames or the Hudson but fish from here is quite good.










- The Thor all rights reserved

Investigating how people live is of course fascinating. Every house has its charm and its beauty or be it former beauty. Yet another aspect worth looking at when viewing BloggingReykjavik.net are the houses, the architecture, the gardens all the various aspects that sets one country apart from another.



The Icelandic style is simple. If it looks good it must be good, the amount of decorating TV shows and magazines clearly shows that people must take some pride in their homes. Keep on watching.







- The Thor all rights reserved

Icelandic defense is an area much talked about at the moment. Iceland is only one of two countries in the world without organized armed forces (yes there is a pun here). This means no army, to make up for this we have for the past 50 years borrowed The United states Army.




The Army is leaving so the debate is on. What should Iceland do, should we start our own army? Build a larger coastguard and special police forces and call it a day? Or should we get somebody else to protect us. I don't think we need to worry too much, countries have been never been invaded to gain control of cod liver oil.

Instead of worrying about this, we should revive the old ways, build some longboats and start plundering up and down the coast of the UK. I mean seriously, the best weapon is the element of surprise. Getting a fully armed terrorist does little to surprise the police and army these days, but 20 long boats full of tired grumpy Viking looking for plunder THAT'S a surprise.



-The Thor all rights reserved

I'm by the pond, looking at the pretty birds. There is a lot of beautiful flying creatures around. I come across this one swan.

I'm wondering if a swan is supposed to look like this? Either it’s blushing, oxidized or has been trying to hold its breath for too long. It certainly looks different from its little friends.

I wonder if it will wake up one day and find that it is has actually a swan like in "the ugly duckling" by H.C. Andersen. The transformation has begun.







- The Thor all rights reserved