Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.06.2003, Blaðsíða 5

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REYKJAVIK CITY SHOT
The Reykjavík busses don´t run very often, so it helps to have a hobby. Photo by Paldis
INTRODUCTION
FROM THE EDITORS
Life, science tells us, started some-
where around the equator. The
climate was warm, and food was
abundant. Humankind, however,
are a species that’s rarely content.
The trees weren’t good enough,
so we moved onto the plains, then
the plains weren’t good enough, at
least for some members of the spe-
cies, so on we moved, farther and
farther, over mountains and across
seas. New continents were discov-
ered, but still there were those that
were not happy. And so it came
to pass that certain people found
themselves on a weather beaten
rainy rock just below the North Pole.
And now you, dear reader, have
found your way here. Whether you
will find what you are looking for we
cannot guarantee. But we are here
to make your stay as pain-free as
possible, given the circumstances.
This is, after all, an island named
by a man who came here, spent the
winter, watched his sheep die and
his crops wither, left and decided
never to come here again. But
some persisted, and now we have
woolly jumpers, whale watching and
Björk.
God (or perhaps Odin) only
knows why you came here, but
you did, and now you´re going to
have to make the best of it. So
if it´s culture you came for, you´ll
find out what´s going on in the list-
ings. If it´s architecture, we have
a feature on interesting buildings in
the centre. If it´s stunning nature,
well, we´re Reykjavik based, but at
least we´ve point out some of the
things you should beware of in the
countryside. If it is some serious
drinking you´re after, however, we
can point you in the right direction
in the pubs and clubs section. Be
warned that alcohol here is very
expensive, especially at the restau-
rants. This in no way deters the
local population from consuming it
in large quantities, it merely means
that people drink a lot at home
before heading out. So if you don’t
want to feel awkward by showing up
sober at a bar, it is advisable to take
the precaution of going to the local
liquor store. These are few and far
between, but the one in the centre is
located at Austurstræti 10a. They
are open on weekdays to 18.00, on
Fridays to 19.00, on Saturdays to
14.00, and closed on Sundays. For
the aforementioned reasons, people
usually go out late, so most places
usually don’t pick up until after mid-
night on weekends. Bars are open
until 01.00 on weekdays, and until
whenever on weekends. The locals
might seem a bit cold to begin with,
but I’m sure you’ll find them a lot
more open and amicable after a few
drinks. Now, if it’s a warm Icelander
of your own to hold on the endless
summer nights, we can’t help you
there, except to say our classified
section might be a place to start.
We would like to point out, though,
that Icelandic women are tiring
somewhat of foreign men lured
here because of a certain reputation
being suggested in some quarters.
This should be all you need to know
about surviving in Reykjavik, if not,
don’t hesitate to call (see letters,
p. ) So, skál í botn (bottoms up),
enjoy your stay and sorry about the
weather.
(SOME HELPFUL
POINTERS
ON ALCOHOL
CONSUMPTION
INCLUDED)
other
place like
this in
Reykjavik
No