Árdís - 01.01.1954, Page 31

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
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lceland
By KRISTIN S. OLAFSSON, Reykjavik, Iceland.
My trip across the Atlantic from New York to Iceland in May
1940 was very pleasant. The captain passed the remark that it was
the most pleasant trip he had during his forty years at sea. Several
days out, blue mountain peaks could be seen in the distance. This
was Iceland. The nights were bright as day. As we came closer,
these mountains became snow-capped peaks. One of them, Mount
Esja, dotted with sheep, was especially spectacular with its veil
of mist.
A flock of sea birds rose in alarm as we sailed up to the pier
at midnight on May 22nd. Hundreds of people were out this lovely
night to welcome the ship. I gazed at the crowd, whose faces seemed
pale in the midnight light, and was very favorably impressed. I
stepped on land and received a warm welcome from many relatives
who were there to greet me.
Reykjavik is situated on a neck of land called Seltjanes, between
two bays, Skerjafjordur and Kollafjordur. Besides being the
capital of Iceland it is a thi'iving sea port and has a beautiful view
of the neighboring mountains. The business section is old and has
an air of leisure about it. Pedestrians walk up the narrow sidewalks
without haste and take time to stop and chat when they encounter