Reykjavík Grapevine - dec. 2021, Side 15
Dance, jive & have the time of your life
Au!ur Jónsdóttir
Balance Between Solitude
And Socialising
Au!ur Jónsdóttir is an award-win-
ning writer whose books have been
published in multiple languages.
She’s known to draw inspiration
from real life experiences, which
she then turns into captivating
stories. The novel “Stóri skjál"i” was
her first book translated into Eng-
lish; it will also be adapted into film
next January. Here’s how she would
spend her perfect day in Reykjavik.
Having a moment of her own
An ideal day would start with me
making breakfast for my son early in
the morning. He would then make his
way to school, and I would have time
to go back to bed and doze o! for a
few more hours.
When I would feel like waking up
again—let’s say somewhere around
9:30—I would get a few cups of good
co!ee into my system and relax by
myself. I love spending time on my
own and appreciate those moments
when I have some space for myself.
During these moments, I would either
sit still and be with my own thoughts,
or put on some music and dance.
Pools and arbitrary cigarettes
When I would have charged my ener-
gy with a healthy amount of solitude,
I would head to the pool, most likely
Sundhöllin. I would sail between the
hot and cold tubs until I would feel
this high that you experience a"er
sudden temperature changes in your
body. I might pop into a sauna as well,
if I feel like it.
A"er refreshing at the pool, I would
squeeze in a visit to my mother’s
house and chat with her for a while.
I might even steal a cigarette from
her, since I don’t smoke anymore.
Writing, dining and dancing
Then it would be time to meet friends
or my partner over co!ee or lunch.
We would catch up quickly, and then
I would head back home to write. I
would try to write until my son comes
back from school or football prac-
tice, after which we would make
some food together. If it was my son’s
perfect day in question, there’s no
doubt we’d make pizza. So maybe I’ll
steal that idea from him.
A"er that, my son would go to his
father’s place and I would head out
with my friends. We would have din-
ner at Hosiló, since they always serve
spectacular courses. We would drink
great wines as well, and go dancing
at Dillon a"erwards. I never actually
even go there, but I love the idea so I
want to include it in my perfect day.
When we would have danced enough
for the night, I’d crawl back home,
happy a"er this eventful day.
Perfect Day
Vital Info
Reykjavík Map Best Of ReykjavíkPlaces We Like
December 3rd — January 6th
In Your Pocket
Useful Numbers
Emergency: 112
On-call doctors: 1770
Dental emergency: 575 0505
Taxi: Hreyfill: 588 5522 - BSR: 561 0000
Post Office
The downtown post office is located
at Hagatorg 1, and is open Mon–Fri,
09:00–17:00.
Pharmacies
Lyf og Heilsa, Fiskisló# 1, tel: 561 4600
Lyfja, Hafnarstræti 19, tel: 552 4045
Opening Hours - Bars & Clubs
Bars can stay open until 1:00 on week-
days and weekends until 4:30.
Opening Hours - Shops & Banks
Most shops: Mon–Fri 10–18, Sat 10–16,
Sun closed. Banks: Mon-Fri 09-16
Swimming Pools
Sundhöllin, the downtown pool at
Barónsstígur, is an outdoor swimming
pool with hot tubs and a diving board.
More pools: gpv.is/swim
Open: Mon-Thu from 06:30–22.
Sat from 08–16. Sun from 10–18.
Public Toilets
Public toilets in the centre can be found
inside the green-poster covered towers
located at Hlemmur, Ingólfstorg, by
Hallgrímskirkja, by Reykjavík Art Mu-
seum, Lækjargata and by Eymundsson
on Skólavör#ustígur. Toilets can also be
found inside the Reykjavík City Hall and
the Reykjavík Library.
Public Transport
Most buses run every 20–30 minutes
Fare: 490 ISK adults, 245 ISK children.
Buses run from 06–24:00, and 7–04:30 on
weekends. More info: www.bus.is.
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Words: Reetta Huhta
Photo: Art Bicnick
VEGHÚSASTÍGUR !A
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