While walking around early-morning Reykjavik, I noticed the weather is as crappy as it is in England--grey, cold, drizzly--but the buildings here are made a heck of a lot more cheerful-looking with bright, pop-py paint.

One presumed effect on design of constant precipitation is that there are transom windows everywhere, or at least windows that open like transoms, hinged at the top. With these you can get ventilation without rain getting all over your sills.

I stopped at a convenience store and discovered the guys at Frito-Lay International are working their misleading marketing magic:

Then it was off to find something more substantial to photograph. I found it here, a few blocks away: Hallgrimskirkja Church.

This impressive concrete church was erected by the Vikings in 1110 A.D., I think--I wasn't reading the brochure very carefully so it's also possible it was completed in 1986. But I think we both know which version of the story sounds better. I'm gonna stick with Leif the Concrete-Pourer.

And check out the interior's bad-ass Pimp My Pipe Organ.