The First Day of Summer

Little did we know when we booked our trip that April 23 is the first day of summer in Iceland. Schools are closed, many shops are closed, most businesses are closed, and they hold a large race in celebration.  The partying actually began yesterday.  We noticed large groups of young people dressed up in crazy ways - tigers, choir singers, hikers, and many others.  They told us they are graduating high school seniors, so yesterday was their last day of school, with exams beginning next week.

We noticed the revelry all afternoon, suspecting that many of the people on the street were beginning the vacation early.  All night the street outside our hotel was quite noisy with yelling, screaming, and loud music playing.  But by this morning, it was quiet and calm.  We thoroughly enjoyed the walk we took, as there were no cars and few people on the street.  We could enjoy the city in a way that is probably not often done.

By the time we had to leave, the race had started and we were able to enjoy watching the runners take off and finish.

We were told that if the weather is bad on Beginning of Summer, the summer would be very nice.  Well . . . Not to be this time.  The weather was spectacularly gorgeous.  We hope that is not a bad omen for the country.

When we took off, our flight attendant informed us that since it is Summer Day we are being served ice cream on the plane.  Yahoo!