Wonders of Iceland - Week 2 - Discussion

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

I am so much enjoying finding out more about Iceland. I was already thinking this was a great country, and the more I learn about it, the more I appreciate it.

 

This is something which I read, when doing some research ....

 

"More than 60% of the Icelandic population live in the capital city, Reykjavik.

Although very small, Reykjavik is the most northern capital city in the world and is home to more than half of the Icelandic population. This colourful and quirky city is packed with numerous restaurants, cafes, bars and museums and is extremely walkable, making it a perfect destination to explore by foot."

 

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If you were, suddenly, to find yourself detailed to Iceland, or transferred there, or somehow you found yourself living there, and if you were given the choice of where to live, would you prefer to live in Reykjavik or out in the country? If you lived out in the country, would it be in the wilds, far away from 'civilization' or would you like to be nearby enough that you can make a small trip and go easily to the city?

 

Why?

 

Then -- some research!  Find a restaurant and/or museum or other destination, you'd like to go to (either when you live in the city or for when you go to visit it), and write about that, too. 

 

Earn 25 Diamonds when you reply in here. To earn full Diamonds, address both questions in your reply (and have at least 150 words to earn them). 

 

You have until the end of March to earn your Diamonds.  

 

[Prof. Felicia Hartwick]

This is an easy one for me. I would live in the city of Reykjavik.  A country girl I am not. I lived in NYC for 27 years and moved  up to the "country"  right after and believe me it took some getting used to. The quiet nights, not to mention how dark it is in the country at night (no street lights), animals howling in the woods, sometimes animals being chased through the property, I'm still not used to it.  

 

We go down to Manhattan quite often since my daughter lives there (well Jersey really) and take in the town as they say. It takes no time for me to get my "NY walk" back, (walking faster than the rest of the family). But it's the things to do... the museums, the theater, the stores.... I guess it's in my blood.

 

While I in Reykjavik I would love to see the Hallgrimskirkja church, it is the one of the tallest building in Reykjavik. It was commissioned in 1937, but it took 41 years to build! Sound about how long it's taking us to get an addition done to our house.

 

I would also go on a whale watch tour. To be be able to see those gentle creatures close up would be truly amazing, and of course I would go a a Northern Light tour. How can you go to Iceland and not see the Northern Lights! Yes, these are all outdoorsy things to do but it

s not "living" ion the outdoors... that I can handle.

[Louis Walles]

The place I have always wanted to visit in Iceland is a town called Husavik. It can be found in Norouping municipality, on the north coast of Iceland. It is not a big town but it is truly beautiful place. The place has plenty of museums, including a Whale Museum and of course the local museum. The town is however most famous for being a perfect location for whale watching as well as see the Northern lights. I would love to live in there if given a chance to.

 

In the said city, is the museum that I would love to visit, which is the Whale museum. I have never heard about something as such and I wonder what you can see in there. On their website, I have read that the museum has 8 exhibitions rooms. Guests can also find a 25 meter long skeleton of a blue whale.

[Harry Walles]

I would prefer to live in the capital. The main reason why is because if I were to move to Iceland I need a job and a stable financial situation. Because such a large population of Iceland lives primarily in the capital, it is safe to assume that there are more jobs available than anywhere else in Iceland. I however, would love to go to any coastal town and explore the beauties of Iceland. Iceland has so many beautiful locations, and a town Louis mentioned, Husavik, sounds like a dream holiday destination. 

 

What would I love to see in Reykjavik? Well...My research led me to discover the Settlement Exhibition. I know Louis loves the Vikings, so do my children. The said exhibition is devoted to exploring of the 10th century buildings, made by the Vikings. This would surely be a really exciting thing to see, which would keep my children occupied. 

[Amy Darvill]

I would most definitely be in the capital of Reykjavik. I'll be honest, I don't have a major desire to travel to Iceland in the first place. So I would rather stay in a city where there would be still a lot of familiar elements to me, than go for ultimate culture shock in a smaller town or even the country. 

 

However, being someone who loves books and stories, I would love to see the Safnahúsið (Cultural House), as they have a permanent exhibit of the Poetic Edda and other Sagas, like the original manuscripts. It would be amazing to go and see them, even if I couldn't read them. I'm also fascinated by a current exhibit they have going on now, called Glerregn (Rain of Glass), which is legitimately a display of sharp glass shards hanging on clear threads, and to fully experience it, one is supposed to walk through the glass pieces and risk injury. It is supposed to serve as a sort of metaphor for how humans themselves could destroy themselves in an instant. So a very heavy-hitting topic but very intriguing.