- Almost everyone can speak english. They usually choose not to.
- I cannot even begin to pronounce any Icelandic words.
- It’s cold and harsh, but beautiful and clean. Weather changes quickly.
- Booze is expensive. Viking beer is delicious.
- Outside of restaurants, liquor can only be purchased at government run stores. Typically closed by 6pm, except for Sundays where they’re closed all day.
- German tourists are everywhere.
- Outside of Reykjavik, it’s ridiculously easy to hitchhike.
- Every other vehicle is an extremely capable 4×4.
- Geothermal is used extensively. Hot water is piped throughout Rekjavik from pumping stations.
- Graffiti is everywhere.
- It’s incredibly safe here.
- Buses show up exactly on schedule.
- Skyr ‘yogurt’ is awesome.
- Icelanders love American style food, pizza, hotdogs, burgers, KFC, and Coke is everywhere. Surprisingly, I have not seen a McDonalds.
- Architecture in Reykjavik is a mix of modern, old, and harsh soviet-like apartment blocks.
- Coins are incredibly inconvenient. The second smallest denomination, 10kr (~10 cents) is the largest coin. Icelanders use Visa for everything.
- Everyone looks like they’re in a cool new band you haven’t heard about.
