So I've always been a huge fan of the notion that to truly travel, you must be willing to immerse yourself in the ways of a new place. Hell, I ate raw Salmon in Sweden... icky. But never has it really been more true, than figuring out how to exercise in Iceland.
Although a self-proclaimed "gym rat," my usual go-to while traveling is some ole timey running. You can do it anywhere any time and the worst that has ever really happened is Africans staring at me like I am nuts... no wait... the time I got lost in Kiev for 2 hours and cried til someone helped me use the internet to find a phone number to call a friend to give me the address so i could take a cab. But besides that time... its a relatively simple exercise plan. Except this year in Reykjavik they have had the most snow since 1920. Everything is covered in ice. People fall all the time. (not me yet of course!) The sound of a car spinning its wheels as it attempts to pull itself out of a parking space is almost constant. So i have dubbed running currently too risky (although like the magical creatures they are icelanders can do it no problem). So what is an endorphine addicted, beer and cake loving girl to do?
What Icelanders do... PUBLIC GEOTHERMAL POOLS.
So tonight (it was 4:45 but def. dark) I went to the pool. outside. in the cold. and dark. It was awesome. Also because these are salt water, not chlorine based pools, you are required to wash yourself nakey before going in, which means lots of nudity in the locker room. just another reason icelandic people are better than americans. No weird gymnophobia (real phobia name). see this for proof. http://blog.icelandexpress.com/iceland/2006/11/24/reykjavik-swimming-pools-the-naked-truth/
So i got a workout in! Yay! And even if I still don't know how to breath on my left side and can't back stroke in a straight line, I feel pretty good about the prospects of staying fit Iceland style.
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