...in downtown Reykjavik today. On again, off again rain showers that drizzled our heads but did not slow us down from our meanderings. We saw the 'Settlement', which was the earliest structure unearthed, in a museum under the level of most buildings and streets. Well over 1000 years old, recently discovered and thoroughly examined for archaeological treasures. Most likely people who originally came to settle from Norway, bringing livestock and seeds to plant as well as families to establish communities.
We saw a museum devoted to the history of fishing - never thinking there would be a museum dedicated to that. Plenty of material here as fishing has always been a major source of food and export. Amazing that those guys would deliberately go out to sea in those tiny open vessels in unrelenting harsh weather to bring in a catch for subsistence or sale.
Another museum that is the National Museum of Iceland, continuing lots of treasures and history about the people, industry, culture, social events. Sections devoted to saddles and horse riding gear, as that was the primary mode of transportation for centuries. Other areas preserving the religious history of the island, converted to Christianity then becoming primarily Lutheran when influenced by years under the control of Denmark.
The people I am with had hotdogs for lunch, bought at a kiosk eaten standing up. Apparently eating hotdogs handed up 'all the way' is a favorite pastime here. They thought the dogs would have everything, but the shop had just opened for the day and chili was not ready. I am saving up for dinner where we have reservations at a fancy restaurant.
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