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Tag Archives: Iceland

Leaving Iceland

30 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Iceland, people, trolls

Iceland was a wonderful place to visit.  We loved being there and wished we could have been there longer.  There are so many places to explore – you could be busy for years.

We were glad to have the chance to be there about a week before heading back to the US.  It was a nice way to transition from our year in Finland back to the US.

With this being my last post on Iceland, I’ll leave you with a random fact – Iceland loves trolls and other magical people.  In fact, the people there build homes for these mythical creatures.  Which seems fitting, given how wonderfully nice the people of Iceland are.  Here’s the last view of Iceland.

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Leaving the Blue Lagoon

29 Thursday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Blue Lagoon, Iceland

We left the Blue Lagoon at 11pm local time.

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Yes, that’s right, 11pm and the sun is still up in the sky.  That’s the beauty of Iceland.

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If I haven’t already expressed it, or you missed it over the last several months of my blog posts – Iceland is amazing and unique and incredible.

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These would be some of the last images of Iceland that we would see before we left to return to the US as almost a year of being away.  These images and sites would stay with me.

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Going inside the Blue Lagoon

28 Wednesday Sep 2016

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Blue Lagoon, Iceland

We paid our money and went inside.  Now here’s the weird thing – the meeting of cultures.  Iceland has this unique position.  It’s a part of Europe, yet plenty of Americans go there.  What that means is you can tell what continent someone is from based on how they act in the changing room.  Let’s just say Americans are prudish and Europeans let it all hang out (no pun intended).

Anyway, we got changed and went into the water. Ahhhhh!

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To say that the water was warm would be an understatement.  After a bit, it becomes down right hot.

But that doesn’t keep people away.  In fact there seems to always be a large crowd at the Lagoon.

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The facility itself is wonderful.  Having said that, we spent our entire time out in the water.  It’s not often you get to sit in really hot water and just relax.

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I even got to take an iconic Blue Lagoon picture of the steam rising up above the water.

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We stayed until late.  Of course, if it weren’t for a clock, we’d never had known what time it was.  Check out how bright it was at 10:10 pm.

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Overall, the Blue Lagoon is well worth a visit.

The Blue Lagoon…

27 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Blue Lagoon, Iceland, tourism, water

As we finished our time in Iceland, we made one last trip – to the world famous Blue Lagoon.

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This was a last minute decision on our part.  We weren’t sure if we wanted to go.  One argument against going is that it is a tourist trap.  The reality – it is.  One argument for going is that it’s a unique experience.  The reality – it is.  In the end, we were glad we splurged and went.

We left at 7pm from the nearby hotel, took a bus and rode for what felt like an hour, and finally arrived.  We walked up the walkway and we knew we were in for a relaxing experience.

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We were surrounded by lava rocks, yet it already felt relaxing.

Then the first sighting of water – before we even got inside.

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We were about to get really familiar with this unique water.

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Stay tuned…

Chickens in Iceland

26 Monday Sep 2016

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chickens, Iceland

When you think of Iceland, do you think of chickens?  I didn’t.  But, lo and behold, they are there.

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Not only did I not expect to see chickens in Iceland, but where we found them was unique too – right in the middle of the town we stayed in, next to the a hotel and restaurant.

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I wonder what’s on the menu at this restaurant?

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I’m referring to fresh eggs silly.

More stunning views

23 Friday Sep 2016

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HARPA, Iceland, peace, Reykjavik, shore, water

We made our way back to HARPA and I walked over to the water’s edge.  I just couldn’t help myself.  There is something about water that draws me in – that welcomes me.  The shore is one of those places that I feel a sense of peace.  It’s a place where worlds come together.  That’s true whether it’s in Reykjavik or anywhere else where there is a shoreline.  Maybe in this case, it’s seeing earth, water, mountains, clouds, and sky all in the same view.  Maybe it’s also seeing humans in this picture too, living at peace with one another and with nature.  Maybe a foretaste of the feast to come when all will be reconciled to one another.  That is my prayer anyway.

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Trolls!!!

22 Thursday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Iceland, Reykjavik, trolls

In case you were wondering how popular trolls were in Reykjavik, wonder no more.  They can be seen roaming around town freely.  Only being very untroll-like – these trolls are stationary and friendly.

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I don’t know about you, but I think the kids got the troll thing down.

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View from on top of the world

21 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Church, Travel

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Church, Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland, Reykjavik

Or at least from up at the top of Hallgrimskirkja.

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For a few euros/dollars/Icelandic Kroners, you can travel up to the top of the church and look out to see these wonderful views.

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Unless you are like me – afraid of heights.  Then you send the rest of the family up to the top to enjoy the view and take pictures.

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Thanks family. You’re the best.  Because of the pictures you took, I was able to enjoy the view too.

Inside Hallgrimskirkja

20 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Church, Travel

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architecture, Church, Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland, Reykjavik, theology

When you walk into Hallgrimskirkja, it is different than most churches you walk into. You get this combination of seeing all the stuff that is typical in churches – pews, windows, an altar, pulpit, organ, etc.

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At the same time, it feels as though you are walking into a large cave, an underground cavern in the earth.  In an odd way, it feels like the cathedrals of old – you feel small and insignificant in regards to the whole of creation.  The point in earlier times was to focus on humility – you are not the center of the universe.  Not a bad thing frankly.

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On the day we went in, there was an organ concert.  The organ sounded absolutely amazing.

When you go up to the area around the altar, you are treated to a minimalist altar.  In a weird way, it kind of makes me think that this is what the chapel on the Death Star might look like.  Yet, here we are in a Christian church, worshiping something completely different than what the Sith have faith in.

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What goes into a church in important.  A seminary professor once said that architecture trumps theology every time.  Now I can’t help but think of that every time I walk into a church.  I often ask myself, what is the architecture conveying and does it match the theology?

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How are the symbols and other features of a church being used to convey the actual theology and beliefs of the people and the church?

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Outside Hallgrímskirkja

19 Monday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Church, Travel

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Church, Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland, Leif Erikson, Reykjavik

Say Hallgrimskirkja five times fast, I dare you.

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It’s beautiful and ugly at the same time.  It’s majestic and blah.  It’s symmetrical and boring.  It’s unique and inspiring.  It’s many things, some times even things that are contradictory – all at once.  It’s a site to see.

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The top of the church sits high above the rest of the city and you can see the top from far away.

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I’m told the view from above is amazing.  That’s great if you don’t have a fear of heights like I do.  The rest of my family went up, while I checked out the gift shop.

Outside of the church is the statues of Leif Erikson.  Here’s the inscription on the back.

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Interesting.

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laceduplutheran

laceduplutheran

I believe that God, church, and theology are approachable, enjoyable, and relevant for everyone. I write about this a lot because people need to hear it. So many people feel lost, hopeless, alone, and are searching for identity and meaning. I'm an ELCA Pastor (Lutheran) who has a background in politics, business, and the non-profit worlds. I take churchy theological ideas and words and communicate them in everyday language that people can understand, in ways that relate, and show that God, church, and theology matter a great deal. Oh, and it doesn't have to be boring either - mostly because it's the best news ever!

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