This is my 3rd trip to this remote iceberg of a country where for a glorious 5 years the Icelandic stock market multiplied 9 times, while the U.S. stockmarket simply doubled. Since that fateful moment on October 6, 2008 when the rest of the world told Iceland “The jig is up” –  the currency and the country simply crashed. Not without it’s bruises, Iceland dusted off its tired currency and just started over. Maybe fisherman should have never been Hedge Fund managers but hey… it’s was fun. Now, with the currency and the egos of those remaining similarly deflated, Reykjavik is back to “normal.”

You have to understand what it’s like to walk the streets of Reyjavik in the winter. The streets are still covered with ice and the younger citizens can be seen in shorts and T’s while the more “seasoned” of us bundle up like we were in… Iceland. The streets are not as crowded with SUV’s and Yuppies yet the upscale shops seem to be enjoying a come back.

What’s worth seeing on day 1 of a trip where sleep has been scarce and food so different? I saw a few things, I did. A brisk walk to the coast reveals a Viking Ship sculpture.

Shivering from the near freezing winds whipping my cheeks and any uncovered flesh, I made my way towards that towering sculpture in the distance which is the  Lutheran Church of Iceland:  Hallgrímskirkja.

I had been there before but now I am armed with an 8mm lens and no regard for for where I aimed it. Reckless I realize, but why not? My targets were few but my aim was true. Arriving to the warm rush of atmosphere escaping as the front doors swung open, it felt so good to find a place to take off my coat and get started.

Setting up my tripod in the most obnoxious spot possible, dead center of the isle, while everyone snorted and humphed, I took aim and then fired. The results are below. Two other significant exposures were made that day but those will be for the gallery later. It’s already too late to be writing this, tomorrow is the long drive and I have to get some sleep. So the trip is now underway and lets hope the predicted rain doesn’t find us.