oaktown, iceland

This past month of weather reminds me of my old Oakland, California days. With one exception, every day since the beginning of May has been bright, sunny, blue skies, a whiff of salty ocean smell, and hills browning under the relentless light. (We even had a wildfire or two!) In short, just like the East Bay, except the days go on forever, and it's still bright enough to read at 2 am.

So in that spirit, here are 10 things that would make Reykjavík seem even more like the East Bay:

1. outdoor drum circles at the University of Iceland
2. 60s-era VW minibuses jacked up on 36" Dick Cepek tires
3. patio restaurants serving hummus & hákarl sandwiches
4. 8 lanes expanding to 20 at the toll plaza for the tunnel from Akranes
5. a "RART" train to go from Lækjartorg to Garðabær with no stops in between
6. renovation of Gamla Höfn into a "Harbor Square" filled with empty chain stores
7. a Bay Bridge to Viðey
8. dusty hippies and their dogs sitting along the buildings on Laugavegur
9. a Your Black Muslim Bakery in Skeifan
10. Hafnarfjörður renamed to "San Hafnarfjörður"