Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.07.2008, Page 18

18 | REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 08—2008
ARTICLE By nathaniel flagg
photoS By gaS
As a foreigner covering June 17th, I came with the intent of
truly finding the holiday. What was its core? Where did its
spirit lie? With hot dog in hand, I set off on my hunt, which
soon degenerated into aimless wandering. I drifted from
sight to sight, happening upon a juggler from Canada, four
men pulling a cement mixer down the street and a per-
formance by an Arabian dance company. While feeding
the ducks with the bun from a second hot dog, I decided
I couldn’t be there yet. There had to be more to the 17th of
June than disinterested browsing.
It wasn’t until I reached the far end of the lake when
I found it. The skyline swelled with inflatable castles and
slides, and lines twisted out of hot dog and waffle booths.
I came across clowns, puppet shows, mini golf, acrobats,
and throngs of children and parents. Bam! Children. What
could be a finer way to spend an afternoon than with your
parents, getting delicious treats and glimpsing fantastic
spectacles on a tour of paradise? How poignant that a
patriotic anniversary of a nation’s independence would
come to celebrate innocence! I’d found the holiday at last
- now if only I was 15 years younger.
June 17