Poetry in Motion: Reykjavík, Iceland

Oration MMXVII - A music festival giving me the perfect opportunity to see Iceland!

If I had a single photo from the festival that was good, I'd share. The fact is, I am not good at taking photos of bands live. Normally, I try my best to enjoy the moment and the music.

Instead, I want to share some moments that were entirely Reykjavik because it is an adorable city with magical views all around. I found the architecture, statues, and sculptures very intriguing.

I felt like Iceland had a heartbeat of its own. As if the entire island was alive. When it rained, there was a shimmer. Like glitter falling from the sky leaving rainbows everywhere! Colors vibrating, completely in tune with the surrounding nature.

There were ten of us visiting Iceland, but for three days we were all enjoying Reykjavik!

Sólfarið (Sun Voyager)

A popular destination for tourist along the Sculpture & Shore Walk.

The view from where we were staying during Oration MMXVII.
Mount Esja across Kollafjörður.

Icelandic Phallological Museum of Penises

Classic me at the Icelandic Phallological Museum.

It's comical.

Me and Nathan in front of Leifur Eiríksson, in front of Hallgrímskirkja.

Hallgrímskirkja

The organ pipes of Hallgrímskirkja.

Ingólfur Arnarson

A sign at the base of this statue read, "This statue by sculptor Einar Jónsson (1874-1954) shows the settler Ingólfur Arnarson. According to the Book of Settlements he and his crew were the first permanent settlers in Iceland and named the place Reykjavík (Smoke Cove) on account of billowing steam rising from the area's hot springs. Here, the settler is standing by his high-seat pillar, decorated with a dragon's head. On the other side of the pillar is the god Odin with his two ravens Hugin and Munin. You can also see the mythological tree Yggdrasil, as well as the Worm of Midgard and Odin's eight legged horse, Sleipnir.

“When Ingólfur saw Iceland, he threw his high-seat posts overboard for good luck. He declared that he would establish himself at the place where the beam came to land.”

From the Book of Settlements."

I sadly don't have a photo showing the other side of the pillar...

The Culture House - Museum

Þjóðleikhúsið (National Theatre of Iceland)

Danska sendiráðið (Embassy of Denmark)

Tónlistarmaðurinn (The Musician)

Erling Blöndal Bengtsson

Stjórnarráðið (Prime Minister's Office)

Vatnsberinn (The Water Carrier)

Kolaportið (Flea Market)
I didn't take photos of the flea market itself. In fact, I had a panic attack and had to escape. I never do too well in market situations. I feel rushed, overwhelmed by choices, and crowded or trapped. I did make a pass through all of the aisles and talked Nathan into going for a quick walk while the rest of our crew shopped.

Alþingi (Parliament House)

The Black Cone, Monument to Civil Disobedience

Dómkirkjan í Reykjavík (Reykjavík Catherdal)

Skúli Magnússon

Ráðhús Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík City Hall)

Monument to the Unknown Bureaucrat

Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík (Free Church in Reykjavík )

The last day of the music festival was three of our crews birthday, including Nathan. We walked to the Old Harbour where the meat eaters went their separate way to eat whale, while the veggies in the group went to a brew house.