Iceland review - 2013, Side 58

WORDS AND PHOTOS By PÁll STEfÁNSSoN
Water is Wet
this is the highlight of my round-trip of the world—and it’s coming to an
end—sitting here by lake Mývatn in warm water in cold weather with
snow on the ground,” says elizaveta sagaipova, a russian economist
and globetrotter, when we meet in Jarðböðin, Mývatn nature Baths.
almost every town and village in iceland has its own pool. and locals use
them: it’s part of their culture to swim and relax in geothermal hot water.
“i start every morning by taking a dip, swimming a few strokes and then
sitting in the hot pot, debating politics and the news with friends and foes.
it’s the perfect start to the day, all year round,” says dentist Bessi skírnisson
in akureyri.
every pool in the country has its morning crew, people who arrive early for
a swim every day—the weather is never a problem.
nothing beats enjoying the best iceland has to offer: its pools.
56 ICELAND REVIEW