Interesting Icelanders: Auður who hearts Reykjavik.

While Reykjavik becomes more and more popular we try to hold onto the things that make it unique and beautiful and we like to share it with our valued guests. For that, we know nobody better than Auður Ösp of I Heart Reykjavik fame, to give our fair city it´s due.

How do you like your coffee?

I’m a latte kind of girl although I gave up coffee a couple of years ago and now mostly drink tea and chai lattes.

How do you like Iceland?

I like it a lot. A lot a lot.

How did you get the idea of starting a blog about Reykjavik?

I had seen too many lost tourists roaming aimlessly around the streets of Reykjavík not to lend a helping hand.Getting the idea and starting the blog was the easy part. Finding the time and patience to get it off the ground and continually maintaining it is a bit more challenging. But I love it so that helps.

If you were not doing this, what would you be doing?

Right now all I can think about is a long holiday somewhere warm, sipping Mai Thais (are those good?) and reading books so I would probably be traveling. Professionally I would probably be trying to get into a good photography school because I really love it and I would like to explore that further.

What is the coolest thing about living in Reykjavík?

I think it is the fact that Reykjavík is a capital city but it has a small town feel. It’s small enough to feel welcoming and homey but big enough to have most everything you need. I would love to have more street food though as that is something I miss from my travels but understand that the climate isn’t ideal for that.

What is the strangest question you have received from one of your fans?

I should have written down all the weird questions I get as I’ve had my fair share. I think the strangest questions are the ones about things that seem really normal and natural to us but baffles people that are not from here. Or the sheer number of questions people can come up with when it comes to showering naked before going to the pool. I also remember once getting an e-mail from a man who asked me to help him propose to his girlfriend and plan their wedding couple of days later before he even knew whether she would say yes. She did though so it all worked out.

What nationality is the most fun to take on one of your tours?

I have the best guests ever, nationality doesn’t same to play a part when it comes to their awesomeness.

Describe your perfect day in Reykjavík

My perfect day would probably be very different from those who are just visiting but it would involve sun, lounging around in parks with friends and family, a cold beer in the evening sun and scrumptious food somewhere downtown.

Your favorite...

....Living Icelander

My grandmother. She’s a hoot.

....Icelandic band or musician

Difficult! It’s like you are asking me to choose between my children. I have a real soft spot for Mugison and I love Sin Fang’s latest album. Valdimar’s voice and lyrics always get me and Prins Póló is fun. And, and, and…

....Icelandic movie

101 Reykjavík. Of more recent movies I thought Life in a fishbowl was really good

....Local beer

Even though it’s brewed for export I really like Einstök White Ale.

.....Building in Reykjavik

I love all the old, weird and colorful buildings in Reykjavík but if I had to choose one I guess I would have to pick Harpa. It’s just so interesting inside and out.

....Coffee shop in Reykjavik

I love the quirky interiors at Reykjavík Roasters and people generally agree they make the best coffee in Reykjavík. Since I don’t drink coffee I always order their Chai Latte which they make from scratch and it’s top nice. I have to give honorable mentions to Café Babalú and the nice staff at Te og Kaffi in Skólavörðustígur.

....Bar in Reykjavik

Kaldi, Bravó and Micro bar but for different reasons. I also have to find time to come and visit you guys at Klaustur soon.

....Restaurant in Reykjavik

I’m obsessed with Forréttabarinn and K-Bar at the moment but I can’t tell you why. I just love what I love.

.....Museum in Reykjavik

The Settlement Exhibition and National Museum. I have a new found love for history and both of these museums are also very hands on which is something that I like. I also visited the Icelandic Music of Rock ‘n Roll recently and really liked it. Not in Reykjavík but worth visiting.

.....Activity on a stormy day

Staying inside with a good book or an interesting documentary. If I have to go out the hot pots in a storm are quite lovely.

.....Town outside of Reykjavik

I visited Hrísey a few years ago and I’ve been wanting to go back ever since because I liked it so much. I also felt there was something magical about Stöðvarfjörður when I went there but I’m not sure everyone will agree.

.....City outside of Iceland

Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. The people in Novi Sad in Serbia were beyond lovely which made my stay there great. I loved the feel of Chiang Mai in Thailand. But I think Montréal was my favorite.

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