Reykjavík is more like a fishing village in New England than a vibrant metropolis, according to Carol Pucci, a journalist for the The Seattle Times, who covers the Icelandic country and nation in a recent travel feature in the newspaper.
The Reykjavík marina. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
Pucci also describes Iceland as one of the loneliest places on the planet and complains about the pricing; quoting one local saying the only thing cheap in Iceland is the heating, mbl.is reports.
She takes the price of beer as an example, reasoning that paying USD 7 (ISK 800, EUR 5) for a glass of beer is too much. Yet, she is relieved that she didn’t have to pay the double amount as was the case before the banking collapse.
Pucci compares Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík’s landmark church, to a rocket ship and quotes a local saying Icelanders are depending on tourism counteracting the seven-percent unemployment rate.
Pucci’s article has raised questions as to whether Iceland’s image is returning to what it was before the economic boom and subsequent collapse.
However, Pucci is also satisfied with her travel experience, writing: “Shark meat and schnapps. Waffles and whale kebabs. Stunning sunsets and steaming outdoor pools. These are a few of my favorites things [sic] about Iceland in winter.”
She is also fascinated by the sunrise in winter: “In much of December and early January, the sun won’t rise until just past 11 a.m. Never mind. It’s worth the wait for a slow sunrise that casts a brilliant pink light on the snowy mountains and blue sea surrounding Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city.”
Click here to read Pucci’s article.
