The image just above is of the president of Iceland's residence. It's the nice, big house tucked behind the cleanly designed church in the foreground. We dropped by to see it one morning and we were very early. We were there just after sunrise.
Coming from the United States of America and having photographed more than one president I was expecting to see fast boats with machine guns trawling through the water just a few hundred yards to the right. A phalanx of black suited military types showing off their tactical gear and sporting the latest H&K fully automatic submachine guns. Maybe a few rocket launchers on the roofs of both buildings; you know, just in case of an airborne assault... And finally, I was expecting to see the beefy guys in mid-tier business suits, with earphones in one ear and the same Oakley bad ass sunglasses masking their authoritative, darting eyes.
No such luck. As far as we could see there was one lone police car parked on the left hand side of the main house. Not a black Chevy Suburban in sight. When we parked in front of the church in our little van a policeman stepped out of the car to get a better look at us, then waved and got back into his car. I don't blame him. It was chilly that morning.
Our native guide asked us not to go past the front of the church. It was security based on the honor system. There is no fence, no wall.
Our guide also told us a quick story about a group of people who came to see the church and the president bringing them out coffee and fresh scones...
Quite the contrast with our current regime. Almost makes me want to live in cold weather year round.
I do like the photo. I took it with a Panasonic G9 and that wonderful 12-100mm Olympus Pro lens.
Not everywhere in the world is as "dangerous" as we're constantly led to believe.
Iceland is defended by the United States so we pay for all the tranquility.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Apparently not since 2006: "On 15 March 2006 the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland announced the decision of the United States to withdraw the Iceland Defense Force before the end of September 2006. On September 30, the American military withdrew its final four Air Force fighter jets and a rescue helicopter squadron from Keflavík." -source, Wikipedia.
DeleteGentlemen, a more nuanced point of view. https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/we-stand-on-guard-for-iceland-canada-takes-its-turn-defending-only-nato-country-without-an-army
ReplyDeleteMaybe your country is not belligerent and trying to push other countries around or exploit them, you don't need a lot of defending. I'm just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good photo, equal parts blue white an green. I also like the right side of the house folds into the green slope. Good composition.
ReplyDeleteNice. A little Hopperesque.
ReplyDeleteI love the colours and light in this photo too.
ReplyDeleteMark
It was interesting to go by the prime minister's office in Reykjavik and learn that the PM routinely walks (or bicycles) to her office.
ReplyDelete