# @kirstenalana on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CgPClGFrAls
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/2429247-kirstenalana-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d19874a08b.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-07-20T13:01:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Kirsten Alana (@KirstenAlana) — https://gondola.cc/KirstenAlana

## Caption

Several locals made my latest trip to Iceland give the first a serious run for its money. I did worry, before leaving, about spending all our time only in Reykjavík. The last time I was there the city was fine but it wasn’t the star of the show. The pounding of waterfalls, sheer height of the bluffs, the crystalline quality of glacier ice on a black sand beach, the wild horses and the stillness of an inland lake at 4 am… everything outside the city, captured my attention deeply. A country is so much more than just a city. But Iceland is where the script often gets flipped and people, like I was during that first visit, only know the landscapes. Not the myriad of details of people and place beyond the postcard moments.

Oh but Reykjavík has changed! Now, the younger people who might have once left to work are coming back to restore and preserve historic buildings, open businesses, helm new restaurants, debut perfumes scented with the seasons of their culture… gift the city with a vibe that it didn’t have - for me, at least - in 2015.

I found this out by really listening when people talked. And by going on a walking tour with Marteinn, conversing at length with the bartender at our hotel, lingering over meals that wowed my senses even while appearing to lack complexity, sitting down with staff at flyovericeland to learn why what seems like a quick promo video is oh-so-much-more, seeking out Maja & Elma & Heidi at Sky Lagoon… it’s those connections to the people who live and work in Reykjavík that could bring Iceland alive for you, too. Help teach you about the charms - and also realities - of a culture that goes so far beyond a landscape or an aurora. 

I didn’t meet many locals the first time I visited. I also didn’t really try to. Don’t make the same mistake I did. [On any trip!] Don’t avoid the people. Don’t avoid Reykjavík to go straight to the Ring Road or Golden Circle. Start with my Guide to Grandi at the link in my profile when you’re planning your own visit to Iceland! 

Guide is sponsored by pursuitcollection but all words, images & opinions are my own. #PursuitLife

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 301
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 63

## Tags

pursuitlife

---
Copyright (c) Gondola