Today, I'd like to take a moment to discuss the pools. First of all: they're wonderful. It can be -4 degrees (C) outside, and I can guarantee you that you'll want to be at the pool; they're warm and therapeutic and just the ticket for stressed out college kids, lemmetellya.
However... there's one tiny little detail that caught me off guard the first time I went: you have to shower naked before entering the pool. No swimsuit, no towel, and there are no curtains in the washroom (but there is often someone there enforcing the rule...). I am certainly not used to this, and I would imagine many Americans would equate this to some strange European ideology (like nuclear power or socialism), but comparing the condition of these pools to the public pools I've been to in Arizona... it's a policy I wouldn't mind implementing (at least the requiring people to shower part, not necessarily the naked part, since it is America, afterall...).
Anyways, here is the card I received at the front desk about showering:
"Welcome to the Thermal pools in Reykjavik
"Dear Guest,
"Hygiene and safety are out priority, so please observe the following rules:
"Please take off your shoes before entering the changing room, you can either keep them in the racks in front of the changing rooms or together with your clothes in your locker. Every guest is required to wash thoroughly without swimsuit before entering the pool and also to take a shower after using the steam bath.
"The hot water in our pools has a positive effect on body and soul, relaxes stiff muscles an joints and reduces stress symptoms. We hop that you will have a pleasant stay in the pools, relax in the hot pots an the steam bath. Enjoy swimming in the hot water and breathe in the pure and fresh air."
(A picture of the back of the card with a helpful diagram)
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