And addendum to yesterday

So, as you know we were on the Icelandic national news two nights ago. It was very strange for us because we live a pretty quiet life in Kansas City, and we like it that way. But we also knew that having Pippa's wish come true meant that people would know who we are and that we would be somewhat in the spotlight.

The strange thing that happened is that we had zero press coverage in the United States. It wasn't for lack of trying as my (Megan's) dad tried and Tamara really, REALLY tried. The Icelandic press embraced this story from the start and the Icelandic people did too. That was one of the most touching things for me personally, and for Kevin too. We felt like the country that we already felt drawn to was embracing our girl and cared about her.

While we were out yesterday we were stopped at least eight times by people who saw us on the news. It felt strange, but people were so genuinely happy for us. A little car with a pair of older ladies practically drove up onto the sidewalk, the driver's window came down, and the lady said, "We saw you on TV!" They were adorable. People stopped and just wanted to tell us how happy they were that we were here, that they hoped we were having a good time, and that they loved the story.

The nice, young guy at the desk of our hotel told me last night that the feeling is that people are genuinely happy for us. They are happy for our girl and for us, and he said that it puts a human face on "tourist." But he also said that it's more than that. He said it's nice for them to see someone who is honestly interested in Iceland and loves it here and appreciates the music, culture, etc. Someone else said it's also a nice distraction from their government's antics (which are giving the US's antics a run for their money).

Icelanders love their country and are very proud of it. It's not like the US, though, where being patriotic (sometimes/sometimes often) means putting down other countries. They are just proud and rightly so. 

Walking, Walking, Walking

We had been asked to come by Iceland Unlimited this morning for a surprise: Cake! Jón had this cake made for us in honor of our visit. We visited with him and the staff for a while and talked about our trip yesterday with Jón's brother Krístjan, which was SO awesome!

This afternoon there was a package waiting at the hotel from them A huge map of Iceland signed by everyone, with "Pippa's Wish" written across the top! Jón had also made notes of all the places we should visit along the south coast when we stay in Selfoss. We will definitely be having that framed when we get home! They were so good to us and so awesome about giving us tips about accessibility around the city — and also warned us about the places that aren't but should be.

This afternoon we just walked and took pictures and bought some pressies for friends and for ourselves, of course.

It was a beautiful day, with lots of sun and one short downpour that didn't matter because we were inside drinking hot chocolate at Tíu Dropar. Everything is getting decked out for Christmas and I just loved the window dressing in a lot of the shops, so I kept saying to Kevin, "Oooh! Take a picture!"

When I am looking at people's blogs of their travels or when I think about going somewhere, I personally like to know what it will look like as I walk through it. Of course, we all want to see the beautiful scenery and monuments, statues, etc. But I also want to know what it will look like from my perspective, just being there. That's all we have wanted is to just "be here." So here's what it looks like, a day wandering just a couple of the streets of shops in Reykjavik, including Laugavegur and Klapparstígur. And some other stuff too, like our amazing dinner.

To whomever lives in this house, we love it. If it was accessible, we would gladly buy it from you. Maybe we can just visit you instead.

I have a photo of this on my Iceland board on Pinterest, so it was cool to see it in person!

I just loved this barber shop's logo.

Lighted Christmas angel that we loved.

At Tíu Dropar.

This was our splurge dinner at Torfan.

Cream of langoustine soup

Pippa's escargot and langoustines

Apple tart

Blueberry skyr

And to end the evening, a "marssage" from Daddy.

Good Weather for an Airstrike

{This post's title is "Viðrar del til loftárása," a song by Sigur Rós. It was the first song we listened to in the car today.)

Today we had a great, long drive with Kristján from Iceland Unlimited for our tour of the Golden Circle. We had the best time even though it was very misty and drizzly. It wasn't a downpour and none of us melted. It actually cleared a little bit when we were at Gulfoss.

Our first stop was Þingvellir, site of the first Icelandic parliament and also where the Eurasian and North American plates meet at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Along the way, we listened to great music, talked politics and humor, ate lunch at a nice place at Geysir, watched (the original, accept-no-substitutes!) Geysir go kerflooey about three times, and then stopped last at Gulfoss, which was spectacular.

Photos are better than words at this point. (Oh, I forgot to tell you that clicking on the photos makes them bigger, but you probably knew that.)

Þingvellir

(I really love moss and lichen.)

Strokkur, Geysir's little brother. (Thank you, Karen Pas, for the correction.) 

Gulfoss

On the drive back to Reykjavík.

And as a part of this whole journey that has been so incredible, we were on the Icelandic news tonight. Recorded this morning and aired tonight. It feels like I'm living someone else's life.

Nitey nite from Iceland.