Iceland review - 2014, Page 75

ICELAND REVIEW 73
beautiful outdoor complex in Akureyri and of course
Kjalarneslaug, next on my list.
Actually, I fantasize about swimming in all the pools
in Iceland. Publishers—that’s an idea for a book. I own
four bathing suits too. Let’s talk.
I’ll meet you in the pool. 
I evolved from a dedicated hotpot lounger into someone
who swam the pool’s length in all seasons. When I go for
a checkup, it’s thrilling to watch my doctors squeal with
delight when they find out I swim three to four days a
week. Unfailingly I show up in good weather and bad to
the university pool now. The nastier the weather—think
deep in February—the more I enjoy a swim. Thank you,
Iceland.
In my home country, I guide myself up the length of the
pool by following the seams in the ceiling. This is a prob-
lem swimming outdoors in Iceland, where I contemplate
the blue sky, look for stars in the night or watch billows of
geothermal steam rise overhead as I splash along. Gazing
at the sky as I did the back stroke at Grafarvogslaug, I
frequently went off-course, smacking my head on a wall
after drifting left or right. The lifeguards in the observation
tower were quite amused I’m sure.
Now I’m ready to explore swimming pools further
afield from Reykjavík. There are wonderful pools across
the nation: the little Grímsey pool, the large neighbor-
hood pool in Egilsstaðir, a small one in Húsavík, the
RECREATION