Published July 2, 2010

It is sometimes said about Akureyri that it is the most delightful place in Iceland – until its inhabitants wake up. I am not sure exactly how to interpret that, but I guess it’s supposed to mean that the good people of Akureyri greatly draw from the town’s appeal.
This isn’t true of course. The people of Akureyri are alright, as anyone who’s been there can attest.  The joke is still sorta funny. Ha.
Anyway. The issue you are now reading is our second annual BEST OF REYKJAVÍK edition, wherein we try to highlight and big-up some of the things that make living here (or visiting here, for that matter) a bit more awesome. It is our attempt to celebrate and draw attention to all sorts of stuff that we feel enriches our lives and adds flavour to them.
We spent a lot of time working on it. Shitloads of time. And so did you guys, actually. Most of what’s in there is based on your suggestions and/or comments. We are sorta proud of it all, and we hope you can draw some enjoyment from it, too.
Now. I’m writing this as we are minutes away from sending this issue off to the printers, and I have been pondering some of its contents. And I’ve come to realise that something about this all sorta bugs me.
Bear with me.
While I think that it is cool that we get to make an issue celebrating our town and some of the things that go on in it, I can’t help but think that we are missing an important aspect, one that is pivotal in rendering life here bearable. The most important thing in Reykjavík, the BEST OF THE BEST OF REYKJAVÍK.
And this is its people.
Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against commerce. Or restaurants. Or swimming pools or bars. Those are all great. I’m just sorta thinking that it’s kinda skunkly to suggest that most of our BEST OF REYKJAVÍK has to be bought and paid for.
All of the best, most life affirming moments I’ve experienced in this town have come for free, or at least I didn’t need to pay for them with any officially recognised form of currency. They have come through interacting with the people, paying visits to friends and family, chance encounters on the street, heavy debates, smiling faces and lost arguments.
Yes. My favourite thing about the city of Reykjavík is all the excellent people that have made it their home, and/or like to pay it a visit from time to time.
You are my personal BEST OF. Thank you.