Keeping the positive attitude from the weekend this lovely Monday morning I am starting the week off with a list of 10 things I love about my new home. As I was making this list I found it hard to narrow it down to just 10 things. Just all the views would equal 10 different things I love. Because trust me if you ever visit Iceland you will fall in love with every single place you see!
So to keep me focused I narrowed it down to mostly just the Reykjavik area and all the things I love about here.
1. The Views
I had to start this list off with the views. Everyday I get to see the ocean and beautiful mountains and I love it. Iceland is never short on amazing views and Reykjavik is no exception!
2. Work Environment
Coming from America I am use to working long hours and short vacation times. In Iceland most employees enjoy a 4 week summer vacation, that is paid! And no this vacation isn’t something you receive after working years and years for the same company, it starts after your first full year. Amazing right.
3. Geothermal Pools
I have mentioned the geothermal pools a few times but for good reason. They are one of my favorite thing about living in Iceland. There are several pools through the city and going to the pools for an afternoon of relaxing and catching up with friends is a big part of the culture. Even in the winter the pools are always packed. It really is beautiful sitting outside in the hot pools with the snow falling down!
4. Icelandic Candy
Nammiland, aka candyland, is filled with yummy Icelandic candy. What is Icelandic candy you may ask?? Well in Iceland I have discovered that liquorice is a big part of the candy here. Chocolate covered liquorice or salty liquorice, they both are amazing. And bonus, on Saturday’s all candy in nammiland is 50% off!
5. Safety
Iceland is one of the safest places to be. With an extremely low crime rate and police officers who don’t even carry guns you can walk around at ease. It is not uncommon to see young children outside on their own and babies are even left in their strollers sleeping outside cafes. I find this comfort of safety so refreshing and I am so glad I can walk around my neighborhood alone and not have to worry. Of course common sense is still important when out alone here but for the most part you can be at ease knowing your in one of the safest places.
6. The Northern Lights
This past week we have been spoiled with Northern Lights lighting up the sky several times. Usually you don’t get to see the Northern Lights to well from the city because of all of the city lights but this week I have seen some of the most amazing Northern Lights ever. Just last night I stepped outside and my breath was taken away with the bright neon green lights dancing in the sky. Sadly I have yet to capture a good picture of the Northern Lights but getting to see them from my own yard is one amazing thing about living in Reykjavik.
7. Hiking
There are tons of hiking trails all over Iceland and while there may not be any right in the city just a short drive out you can find many beautiful places to hike around. Esjan is the mountain you can always see from Reykjavik and one of my favorite areas to hike. The views from the top are just amazing, the picture above doesn’t do it justice!
8. Going to the movies
The first time I went to the movies in Iceland about half way through the movie suddenly stopped and went to the pre movie advertisements. I thought that something was broken and that was why the movie stopped. This was when I learned that here in Iceland there is a 10 minute intermission during the movies. At first I found this so strange and was not a fan. Now I love having that break in the movie to get up and use the bathroom and of course refill my popcorn!
9. Best place to be a woman
Iceland is constantly at the top of the World rankings for the best place to be a woman and this year they were voted number one for the 5th time. Equality is big here in Iceland and I love living in a place that strives to treat everyone the same.
10. There is a bar named after me
At least I like to think the bar is named after me 
In addition to this bar having my name I also love the colors of the building, yet another thing that I love about Reykjavik is all the colorful buildings and my bar is no exception!
I really am lucky to live in such an amazing place!
Question of the Day?
What is something you love about your home?
