Reykjavík Grapevine - 09.05.2008, Page 24

24 | Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 05 2008 | Article
Photos by Laurence
Walking Reykjavík
There’s a lot to see in Reykjavik if you open your eyes. The trick is
to get away from the tourist traps on Laugavegur, walk through the
back streets, and savour a bit of diversity. Depending on how hard
you look you’ll observe a number of odd, sometimes depressing,
but ultimately fascinating little details. In a single day you can walk
much of the city and see things that you would never have noticed
by car or bus. Graffiti is undoubtedly an issue that sometimes de-
tracts and sometimes adds value to the scenery. It’s easy to dislike
the scrawls defacing much of the city’s backstreets, but at the same
time it shows that the whole place is alive and has something to say.
Personally, I love Reykjavik warts and all. It’s unique, with a cul-
ture that reflects its geographical position somewhere between the
Scandinavian Europe and the USA. The locals can be either kind
and welcoming or abrupt and impersonal; the whole place keeps
you on your toes.The following are a few photos I took as I won-
dered around the capital.
Hydrant Face – This is one of the many examples of graffiti in Reykjavík
that brings a bit of a smile to your face along with the fire hydrant’s.
Automobile – Icelanders firmly believe that the bigger the tires, the
more power you wield.
Beach House – These little fishing huts were used as storage for fish-
ing equipment, now they are canvas for the graffiti artists of the city.
Fish – Fish left out to rot, an Icelandic delicacy – or so I’m told. It presents
a great photo opportunity as long as you are not standing downwind.
Tubes – Another backstreet in Reykjavík 101, another great photo
opportunity. I did wonder exactly what was coming out of the cool-
ing pipes.
By Laurence Edmondson