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Tag Archives: Reykjavik

More stunning views

23 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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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

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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.

Around the lake

13 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Cathedral, Church, Iceland, lake, Reykjavik

From the cathedral we walked to the lake in the middle of Reykjavik.

It offers some splendid views of the city.

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In the picture above, the church you see is not the cathedral.  The church in the picture is actually bigger than the cathedral and it’s made of aluminum (we were told).  Just a little fun fact for you there.

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The views around the lake are just great.

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Such a pleasant city, isn’t it?

Famous hot dogs

09 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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hot dog, Iceland, Reykjavik

We stopped at the most famous hot dog stand in Iceland.  Of course, it might actually be the only one, but regardless, it’s famous.

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It’s also the busiest restaurant in town.  And the cheapest place to eat.

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Honestly, the dogs were ok.  Nothing too special for me.

So what makes this place so popular – some of the people who have come here to get a hot dog.  Former President Bill Clinton came to the stand when he visited Iceland.

So if you want to go to a famous hot dog stand while visiting Iceland, you know where to go.  It’s right across from Arnarholl.  very easy to get to.

Views from atop the hill

08 Thursday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Arnarholl, hill, Iceland, Reykjavik, view

From up atop Arnarholl, you get some amazing views of part of Reykjavik.

You can see HARPA

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That’s great and all, but I love looking out over the other places – the places that contain everyday life, like this:

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It’s the harbor.  Life continues to roll on as it has every day for centuries.  The technology might change, but life keeps going on.

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Vikings!

07 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Arnarholl, Iceland, Reykjavik, vikings

In case you didn’t know it, Iceland has a heavy viking influence.  You see statues of vikings all over the place.  Like this one up on Arnarholl, which is a nice size hill overlooking part of Reykjavik:

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You might recognize this statue is you watched the 2016 Euro cup soccer tournament.  Remember how Iceland did unexpectedly well.  The reporters were often reporting up on this hill, with his lovely viking in the background.

It’s actually a great hill – you can see a good portion of the city up there.

Bobby Fischer in Iceland

05 Monday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Bobby Fischer, chess, Cold War, Iceland, Reykjavik, US, USSR

Reykjavik was home to Bobby Fischer at the end of his life.  In case you don’t know who he was, well, then you probably don’t play chess.  He is considered by many to be one of the greatest chess players of all time.  He was an American who ended up being caught up in the Cold War between the US and USSR over income taxes.  He ended up living in exile in Iceland.

Here’s the bookstore that he spent a great deal of time at while in Iceland.

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How cool is that?

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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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