What word in the English language did the Icelanders give us? Read on..........
I used to import Icelandic yarn (amongst yarn from other countries) to the U.S. for the craft and hand knitting markets. My business took me to Iceland routinely and I can strongly recommend Iceland as a stop over in traveling to or from Europe. Three or four days is all you need.
Because of its position on the globe, Iceland╒s summer days will have about 19 -20 hours of daylight and conversely in the winter. Summer daytime temperatures often hit the upper 60's. The winters are windy, cold and dark. August is great, the weather is still warm as the daylight hours have lessened a little. September has more realistic day night hours but cooler with highs only in low 50's. The last two weeks in July is when you will find most Icelanders on holiday.
Iceland's geography runs to extremes. The first thing you╒ll see, are the lava rock strewn fields on your ride from the Keflavik airport (actually the NATO base) where you╒ll land, to Iceland╒s capital, Reykjavik. This is where the Apollo astronauts trained for there moon landings. Additionally you can find grassy fiords, majestic glaciers (Icelandic word) and thundering waterfalls. The volcanic nature of Iceland has its benefits; Free hot water, not only for taking a shower, but heating homes, hot houses and filling their swimming pools. Yes swimming pools, more on this later. On the other side of the coin is the crystal clear glacier drinking water which taped for drinking. It is the best in the world. Why there isn╒t an export business of Icelandic bottled water I could never figure out. The water falls also provide hydra electric power so the limited oil imports (from Russia) are just for cars and trucks. Except for the metering charges for delivery most of Iceland╒s energy needs are a gift from nature.
The people are the friendliest anywhere and 90% speak English. Most are well educated having to speak four languages when graduating high school (Icelandic, German, English and Danish). You'll be surprised to see how many book stores there are in Reykjavik. Even though Iceland was once a Danish position, the closest language to Icelandic is Norwegian. In fact their flags are the same with the colors reversed.
Iceland's major export is fish, mostly cod. I've been told the the Icelanders seldom eat this fish as they consider it junk fish. Second to fish is Lamb. So if you go, you should have an appreciation for one or both. And from the sheep also comes the famous Icelandic wool. Its a naturally spun yarn in natural sheep shades. White, brown and black with gray and beige blends in between. The yarn is sold world wide under the registered trademark LOPI.
The capital city Reykjavik, a city of about 220,000, has the usual assortment of hotels, restaurants even a McD╒s. There are a few clubs for nighttime folks. When dining out be sure to try the local Schnapps called Brenivin always to be served below freezing, It sort of tastes like caraway seed liquor. Traditionally it is to be taken after their famous shark appetizer which really separates the men from the boys, and I not talking about about the Brenivin. Seriously the taste isn╒t as bad as the smell. For the more adventurous eater you might want want to order an appetizer of different lamb organs both male and female. Don't let me scare you, the seafood dishes are outstanding especially a dish of the miniature lobster tales. You might want to split this one as an appetizer as it is very expensive. Just the same, it is something to have once. Finally you cant go wrong with lamb chops or roast leg of lamb. Yes you can order chicken but seldom beef ╘cause the duty on beef is very high in this lamb producing country.
An unusual thing to mention at this point is the fact that all the Icelandic children are taught to swim in school. You may ask why in such a place where the water never gets to 50. Well remember those hot springs mentioned above, they use this water to fill the city swimming pools. You will see folks swimming in them in the dead of winter. The main city complex consists of one super large pool in the center; temperature about 75 degrees. On the outside are hot tubs of varying temperature from 80 to 110 degrees. There are cold ones also from 70 down to about 40. So, When ever you go, be sure to bring your bathing suit to Iceland!
When visiting Iceland the primary attraction are their natural wonders. There are about a half a dozen ways to see these depending on budget and time. The Reykjavik tour. A typical but interesting city tour covering all the traditional areas one should see from the fishing boats to the halls of government. One of the unusual items on this tour is visit to a local hot house. Here they from everything from tomatoes to tropical fruit and it's all heated once again by natures free hot water. Then is their famous Cathedral, which although now operational has been under construction for over a decade. (I was told by a tour bus operator that Iceland is 99% Lutheran, and had at last count, two Catholics!)
As far as the nature tours go there are quite a few and many are geared to camping. The details I can╒t go into here. You will just have to contact their tourist board in NYC (212-949-2333). I can tell you that they run from half day to weekly bus trips. You will see all the wonders , glaciers, waterfalls, fertile valleys, and hot springs and geysers. You can visit the coast line fishing villages. See the herds of Icelandic (Viking) Horses. You can take a trip to Iceland's northern border at Grimsey which is across the arctic circle. Additionally there are side trips to the Westman Islands off shore where the Volcano Heimaey destroyed the whole village (now rebuilt). Believe it or not the whole island was evacuated less one person during that eruption of about 20 years ago. The newest Island in the world, Surtsey is just off shore near Westman was born about that time. It has been only accessible to the scientific community as a real time study in the evolution of islands. Already there is plant life sprouting , I guess carried there by wind, water or birds.
As far as the culture, social customs and politics of the Icelanders that again is a subject unto itself. I will however mention a few interesting facts. A case in point is Iceland's general acceptance of illegitimate children. A business contact of mine once introduced my wife and I, to his wife and family and on another occasion his lover and family. Must be those long, dark, cold and depressing winter nights. What you may have heard is Icelanders like to drink. That is true but probably no more than the Australians. DUI or DWI laws are much more severe than the US. There is no unemployment in Iceland. There is no TV on Wednesday (Used to be anyway). Beer only recently became legal despite the sale of their hi powered local brew mentioned above. NATO base personnel are not allowed in town in uniform. New words that creep in to their language are reviewed from time to time by a board and are translated into pure Icelandic. One that comes to mind is ╥television╙ when translated to Icelandic means a box that throws light.
I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, that if you are the adventurous type then go to Iceland. If you are an naturalist go to Iceland. If you just want to meet nice folks and go to some place different then go to Iceland.
As a post script I will add that doing business there was such a pleasure. A time I╒ll reflect on as one might of his or her days in college. A rare treat in todays competitive cut throat world. A place where a deal could be done with a handshake.
