"ICESAVE MY ASS"

"ICESAVE MY ASS" set the tune for this rainy and cold day.

Icelanders demonstrated against paying for the mess created by a bus-load of people in power. The crisis happened after the Icesave high-interest online savings accounts got into trouble, followed by the collapse of Iceland's largest banks and the nation. Why does the people always ended up paying for the mess created by a few officials? Tonight, the people get to vote to pay...or not to pay. The answer is predictable.

On a different note, I tried Danish open sandwich and liquor for the first time at Jomfruin. The delicious fried fish sat on top of dark ray bread topped with seafood, fresh rosemary, house dressing and vegetable. The liquor was served in chilled shot glasses. At 40% alcohol level, I felt the buzz right away, and regrettably, I didn't like the liquorice taste so much.

Below is a traditional Iceland pastry called "Kleina," kind of a fry bread and not sweet.

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Laugardalur Outdoor Thermal Pool- Reykjavik's largest geothermal pool

It's Hot!

After walking a mile in one foot of snow (which felt like 10 miles), I was really looking forward to this geothermal outdoor pool, especially in the middle of the winter.

The pool was a part of the "World Class" gym. The gym was humongous and crowded in the middle of the day. I went from the women's locker room up the stairs leading to the outdoor pool; it was -1 Celsius outside, and snowing. I had to run fast to one of the pools to keep warm.

Felt so good once I was in the very warm pool, as the same time, having snow falling on my face and having my hair frozen was an amazing experience.

Yes, one of the pools. There are at least 8 pools, including an Olympic size outdoor swimming pool. The rest of the smaller pools ranged from 34 to 44 degrees Celsius. My skin was burning going into the 44-degree pool, but when I got out, I was strolling in the snow.

Iceland sits on Volcanoes that emits heat form the ground, which means cheap heating bills for its residents.

Icelanders clean themselves before going into the chemical-free pools to keep the pools sanitary, and expect foreigners to do the same.

After spending two hours in the pool, I was hungry. I ordered lobster soup from the cafe on the first floor. Icelandic lobster is known to be famously delicious. I had to have it. However, at first, I was disappointed; a stir in the pink colored lobster soup only found one scallop and two shrimp, where are the lobsters? Despite my disappointment, I tried the soup...it was amazingly delicious, turning my disappointed into happiness instantly!

I walked along the sea on my way home. The ever changing clouds played in the sky, the capricious sun hided and reappeared from behind the clouds with mount Esja mysteriously laying in the background; the scenery was breathtaking. Occasionally, a few joggers passed by me.

Reykjavik is an interesting little modern city with nice people; I love the little cafes and the bakeries, each of them have their unique environments. Things are expansive compare to the U.S. even after the currency have inflated and continues to rise. And just about everyone speaks English.

Finally arrived at Klapperstigur; the street of my apartment. I am ready to ripe the benefit of a good night sleep after a day at the geothermal pool.