Reykjavik

I've just landed.  I was listening to the soundtrack of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty on the descent.  If you haven't seen that movie, you should.  

Anyway. The airport is the cleanest airport that I have ever seen.  I made my way out to my bus to take me to Reykjavik and we set off.  

The land is flat and barren.  I can't quite describe it. Browns and earth tones. The scenes are painted with burnt sienna, yellow ochre, raw sienna and raw umber.  Craterous rocks and dirt.  The highway is almost white in colour. Straight and flat. On the left I can see the coast. On the right I can see mountains. However it is hard to judge how far they are away so they may just be hills. 

I'm sitting next to an elderly gentleman who I believe is local but he seems to be just in awe of the scenes as me. He has his shopping with him and one of his beers just rolled out and tapped me on my foot.  It has now been safely stored back in his bag.  

I disembarked in Reykjavik and found my way to the Airbnb where I am staying.  Mark is an Englishman from north Umberland.  He moved to Iceland three months ago after what sounds like a nasty divorce.  He seems pleasant. 

I set off to explore. The city is small. I found the Main Street and made my way to the Atlantic coast.  I was in awe. I don't think I have the words for the view. 

I walked and walked and found a little restaurant where I went for dinner.  I started chatting with the people sitting next to me. I can't remember their names as the wine was flowing. We chatted about politics, travel and their history.  She is from Brazil and he is Icelandic.  They had met at a hostel in Norway.  They had such amazing tips for any travel that I may be doing in Southeast Asia.  

We chatted for about 2 hours and then bid our farewells. It was a fabulous meal and a fabulous conversation. 

I made my way back to Mark's and he and I had a 3 hour chat about all topics in life. It is so nice to be able to have that sort of talk with someone and not just disappear into a hotel room.  

I have now made my way to my collection point to leave the city.  Quad bike pictures to come.  

Sorry for the difference tenses used in this post. I have been writing on the go and my past and presents were used simultaneously.