Teitur
Reykjavik
Books and Bathing — 2 weeks ago
Worth visiting!
Having ample hot geothermal water and plenty of long winter nights two of the greatest mainstays in Icelandic culture are the reading and writing of books and bathing and lingering in hot pots (/tubs).
Though a number of other activities have gotten people through the long nights, such as singing, playing chess and making music, the reading and telling of stories and histories (sagas) has had a great place through Icelandic history. This is thankfully still alive and well, with Icelandic literacy at a hundred percent and with Icelanders giving books for any and all imaginable occasions. This for example results in an annual book flood around Christmas and a popular activity during the Christmas holidays is staying in bed reading “the Christmas books”.
Bathing is another popular pasttime and cultural mainstay. As an affirmation of this Saturday is named Laugardagur or Pool-Day in Icelandic. One of the oldest and most notable of pools in Iceland is Snorralaug at Reykholt. Which is also a place to learn about the Sagas, since the lord Snorri Sturluson of Reykholt is likely to have collected and written some of the main ones. Those sagas which are on display however would have to be seen at the Saga exhibition at the national Culture House in Reykjavík.
If you’d like to get involved with this part of Icelandic culture however; whether it is to go to the Blue Lagoon, the swimming pools, gyms or spas, you have to be aware that in all of these places there are shared locker rooms and showers and one is required to strip naked and wash properly before using the facilities. This has, needless to say, created some problems with the cultural descendants of the Victorians..
I can assure you however that the locker rooms are a completely non-sexual environment and that no one will pay the least bit of attention too you in there unless you start doing something strange there such as trying to sneak to the pool without washing or even more ridiculously – try to bathe with your kit on! If anything these are probably the most assured ways to arouse some strange looks and comments.. :P
-If you mange to get to the pools though you shouldn’t be disappointed. Top quality pools with bubbling massage pots, steambaths and saunas are pretty much in every small village and neighborhood these days :-)
There you’ll also find a nice and relaxed atmosphere with locals sitting in the hot pots and chatting, going for their swim, kids playing and even people trying to sunbathe :D
This of course mostly replaces the beach life of warmer places. A small geothermally heated beach with facilities is still available in Nauthólsvík bay in Reykjavik. Reykjavik’s other pools are still more popular :D
Either way a dip in the geothermal waters is a must for the “Icelandic Experience”. Of course for those with less time a single stop at the Blue Lagoon might well do the trick ;-)
