Over the last 7 years of living in Iceland, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring and sharing about every region of this amazing country of fire and ice. The adventures to remote hidden gems in the highlands, raw nature that has blown my mind, geothermal hot pools to relax in, and delicious food that excited my taste buds have given you a glimpse into what this country has to offer. An Easy Iceland Trip Planning Tool To make planning your adventure even easier, I have put together a map of over 200 of my favorite places, activities, accommodations, restaurants, and more for you to use. There are itineraries, travel tips, the ability to book hour-long video trip planning calls with me, and personalized itineraries that I can make based on your preferences via this guide. Here is the link to my latest Iceland trip planning tool.   Save 30% for the next 48 Hours To kick off the launch of this epic planning resource, I’m sharing a 30% discount for full access to my guide which is active for the next 48 hours. Use the code “save30”. Out of the first 100 people that purchase full access to the guide or any of my itineraries (pre-made or personalized), I will randomly choose 3 people to get a free hour-long video planning session with me so you can be fully prepared for your trip. For an extra entry in the giveaway write “Iceland” in the comments of this video. Share This Post Facebook Email Twitter Let’s Be Social  Youtube   Tiktok   Instagram   Facebook 

<p>Over the last 7 years of living in Iceland, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring and sharing about every region of this amazing country of fire and ice.</p> <p>The adventures to remote hidden gems in the highlands, raw nature that has blown my mind, geothermal hot pools to relax in, and delicious food that excited my taste buds have given you a glimpse into what this country has to offer.</p> <h2>An Easy Iceland Trip Planning Tool</h2> <p>To make planning your adventure even easier, I have put together a map of over 200 of my favorite places, activities, accommodations, restaurants, and more for you to use.</p> <p>There are itineraries, travel tips, the ability to book hour-long video trip planning calls with me, and personalized itineraries that I can make based on your preferences via this guide.</p> <p><a href="https://www.rexby.com/jewells/iceland" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Here is the link</a> to my latest Iceland trip planning tool.</p> <p><a href="https://www.rexby.com/jewells/iceland" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> </a></p> <h2>Save 30% for the next 48 Hours</h2> <p>To kick off the launch of this epic planning resource, I’m sharing a 30% discount for full access to my guide which is active for the next 48 hours. Use the code “save30”.</p> <p>Out of the first 100 people that purchase full access to the guide or any of my itineraries (pre-made or personalized), I will randomly choose 3 people to get a free hour-long video planning session with me so you can be fully prepared for your trip. For an extra entry in the giveaway write “Iceland” in the comments of <a href="https://allthingsiceland.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2ef8d6d11617b848a02545ba2&amp;id=d369a21d7e&amp;e=2e8406f3f4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this video</a>.</p> <h2>Share This Post</h2> <p>Facebook<br/> Email<br/> Twitter</p> <h2>Let’s Be Social</h2> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsIceland/videos" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Youtube<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsiceland?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Tiktok<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Instagram<br/> </a><br/> <a rel="noopener"><br/> Facebook<br/> </a></p>

The Easiest Way to Plan a Trip to Iceland

Some of you might have heard that we had another volcanic eruption that started last week. Well, to be fair it is a continuation of eruptions that have been happening the last couple of years on the Reykjanes Peninsula. We’ve now experienced three volcanic eruptions three years in a row. All of them are being labeled as “tourist” eruptions because they can be visited, and they pose no harm to important infrastructure or towns. I plan to share a brief update about the eruption and what we know so far. If other significant changes happen, I will for sure publish more information. How This Volcanic Eruption is like the Ones in 2021 &amp; 2022 Similar to the other eruptions in 2021 and 2022, we experienced many earthquakes before any lava was seen. There were somewhere around 10,000 earthquakes reported and the largest of those was on Sunday, July 9th, which was classified as an M5.2. It was felt across the country, which is incredible. I distinctly remember feeling it. I jumped out of bed and said “the eruption is coming!”  Well, the eruption started on July 10th at 4:40 PM not far from the previous ones in the last couple of years. It’s a fissure eruption and scientist have stated that these types of eruptions are normally most powerful at the beginning and then taper off before ending. However, no one knows how long this one will last. Maybe it is just getting started or maybe it is soon to finish. I know many people hope for the first option, but I like to manage expectations. They are saying this eruption is much stronger than the other two so that is giving some people a glimmer of hope that it will continue for quite some time.   How to Visit The Latest  Volcanic Eruption One fascinating thing about the location of this eruption is that it is in a flatter area. Granted, there is a lot of lava rock, moss, and rugged terrain but you don’t have to hike up steep inclines to get there. The catch though is that you do have to walk quite far. Currently, it is a 20 km or 12.4 mile hike round trip from the designated parking lot to the volcano site. That does not include time at the site watching the eruption. You can expect to take between 3 to 4 hours roundtrip to walk there. You might be there an additional hour, or more, depending on how long you want to be there. Needless to say, it would be a long day of exploring. There are 4×4 roads in this area but only authorized vehicles are allowed to drive there now because of safety reasons. Dangerous Wildfires Caused by the Volcanic Eruption It’s interesting to me that the amazing weather we’ve been having lately has played a role in the volcano site being potentially dangerous for visitors. We’ve had bright, sunny days with relatively warm temperatures for over a week and a half (sort of unheard of in Iceland), and due to that the moss near the eruption is very dry. Authorities have been working around the clock to put out wildfires from the moss catching fire due to the hot lava. Unfavorable wind conditions resulted in heinous gases being pushed in the direction of the walking path and all the way to the parking lot. People were inhaling the gases and not feeling well. Bringing a gas mask is a great idea but just know that it is best to go on a day where the wind is pushing the pollution away from you. Due to the wildfires and people at the volcano site acting foolish by getting too close to molten hot lava, authorities closed the site for 4-days until the conditions were better. So, from July 13th until the 17th (which is the same day I am recording this episode) access to the volcano site was prohibited. Alternative Ways to See the Volanic Eruption in Iceland   I did not go straight to the volcano when it erupted because I wanted to see what authorities had to say about the conditions. Also, it takes around 4 hours of walking to get there, and I’ve had other projects that I needed to work on. I still am not sure when I will walk there because of other obligations. However, I did take a helicopter flight over the eruption today and it was phenomenal! If you are planning to walk to the volcano, please check safetravel.is before going to make sure the conditions are favorable for going. Do not step on any lava, even if the lava looks like it is completely solid. Also, make sure to pack layers, fluids, and food since it is quite a long trek. For those with limited time, limited mobility, or just want to see the volcano from a different angle, I highly recommend a helicopter tour. I partnered with Volcano Heli for this 30 -40 minutes adventure and it blew my mind. The eruption is stunning from above. I know helicopter tours have been selling out, so if you are interested in that option, I recommend booking in advance. The fun thing is that you get to see amazing views of Reykjavík and the Reykjanes Peninsula as you are checking out the volcanic eruption. I was estactic after getting off the flght would love to do another one. Some airlines like Icelandair and Play Air are flying near the volcano so their passengers can see the eruption, which is quite nice. Is Iceland’s Volcanic Eruption Impacting Flights or Infrastructure? This brings me to my last point before doing the random fact of the episode. There is no forecasted impact of the eruption on flights or nearby towns. Well, maybe the gas pollution but not there is no fear of the lava flowing into a nearby town or over paved roads. Unlike some other eruptions in Iceland that have created lots of ash in the past, that is not a concern here. Random Fact of the Episode I correctly predicted the date of the eruption on Threads three days before it happened. Icelandic Word of the Episode Litli Hrútur is the name of the current volcanic eruption Share This Post 										Facebook 										Email 										Twitter									 Let’s Be Social   						Youtube   						Instagram   						Tiktok   						Facebook 

<p>Some of you might have heard that we had another volcanic eruption that started last week. Well, to be fair it is a continuation of eruptions that have been happening the last couple of years on the Reykjanes Peninsula. We’ve now experienced three volcanic eruptions three years in a row. All of them are being labeled as “tourist” eruptions because they can be visited, and they pose no harm to important infrastructure or towns.</p> <p>I plan to share a brief update about the eruption and what we know so far. If other significant changes happen, I will for sure publish more information.</p> <h2>How This Volcanic Eruption is like the Ones in 2021 &amp; 2022</h2> <p>Similar to the other eruptions in 2021 and 2022, we experienced many earthquakes before any lava was seen. There were somewhere around 10,000 earthquakes reported and the largest of those was on Sunday, July 9th, which was classified as an M5.2. It was felt across the country, which is incredible. I distinctly remember feeling it. I jumped out of bed and said “the eruption is coming!” </p> <p>Well, the eruption started on July 10th at 4:40 PM not far from the previous ones in the last couple of years. It’s a fissure eruption and scientist have stated that these types of eruptions are normally most powerful at the beginning and then taper off before ending. However, no one knows how long this one will last.</p> <p>Maybe it is just getting started or maybe it is soon to finish. I know many people hope for the first option, but I like to manage expectations. They are saying this eruption is much stronger than the other two so that is giving some people a glimmer of hope that it will continue for quite some time.</p> <p> </p> <h2>How to Visit The Latest  Volcanic Eruption</h2> <p>One fascinating thing about the location of this eruption is that it is in a flatter area. Granted, there is a lot of lava rock, moss, and rugged terrain but you don’t have to hike up steep inclines to get there. The catch though is that you do have to walk quite far.</p> <p>Currently, it is a 20 km or 12.4 mile hike round trip from the designated parking lot to the volcano site. That does not include time at the site watching the eruption. You can expect to take between 3 to 4 hours roundtrip to walk there. You might be there an additional hour, or more, depending on how long you want to be there. Needless to say, it would be a long day of exploring. There are 4×4 roads in this area but only authorized vehicles are allowed to drive there now because of safety reasons.</p> <h2>Dangerous Wildfires Caused by the Volcanic Eruption</h2> <p>It’s interesting to me that the amazing weather we’ve been having lately has played a role in the volcano site being potentially dangerous for visitors. We’ve had bright, sunny days with relatively warm temperatures for over a week and a half (sort of unheard of in Iceland), and due to that the moss near the eruption is very dry.</p> <p>Authorities have been working around the clock to put out wildfires from the moss catching fire due to the hot lava. Unfavorable wind conditions resulted in heinous gases being pushed in the direction of the walking path and all the way to the parking lot.</p> <p>People were inhaling the gases and not feeling well. Bringing a gas mask is a great idea but just know that it is best to go on a day where the wind is pushing the pollution away from you.</p> <p>Due to the wildfires and people at the volcano site acting foolish by getting too close to molten hot lava, authorities closed the site for 4-days until the conditions were better. So, from July 13th until the 17th (which is the same day I am recording this episode) access to the volcano site was prohibited.</p> <h2>Alternative Ways to See the Volanic Eruption in Iceland</h2> <p> </p> <p>I did not go straight to the volcano when it erupted because I wanted to see what authorities had to say about the conditions. Also, it takes around 4 hours of walking to get there, and I’ve had other projects that I needed to work on. I still am not sure when I will walk there because of other obligations.</p> <p>However, I did take a helicopter flight over the eruption today and it was phenomenal! If you are planning to walk to the volcano, please check <a href="http://safetravel.is" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">safetravel.is</a> before going to make sure the conditions are favorable for going. Do not step on any lava, even if the lava looks like it is completely solid. Also, make sure to pack layers, fluids, and food since it is quite a long trek.</p> <p>For those with limited time, limited mobility, or just want to see the volcano from a different angle, I highly recommend a helicopter tour. I partnered with <a href="https://volcanoheli.is/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Volcano Heli</a> for this 30 -40 minutes adventure and it blew my mind. The eruption is stunning from above.</p> <p>I know helicopter tours have been selling out, so if you are interested in that option, I recommend booking in advance. The fun thing is that you get to see amazing views of Reykjavík and the Reykjanes Peninsula as you are checking out the volcanic eruption. I was estactic after getting off the flght would love to do another one.</p> <p>Some airlines like Icelandair and Play Air are flying near the volcano so their passengers can see the eruption, which is quite nice.</p> <h2>Is Iceland’s Volcanic Eruption Impacting Flights or Infrastructure?</h2> <p>This brings me to my last point before doing the random fact of the episode. There is no forecasted impact of the eruption on flights or nearby towns.</p> <p>Well, maybe the gas pollution but not there is no fear of the lava flowing into a nearby town or over paved roads. Unlike some other eruptions in Iceland that have created lots of ash in the past, that is not a concern here.</p> <h2>Random Fact of the Episode</h2> <p>I correctly predicted the date of the eruption on Threads three days before it happened.</p> <h2>Icelandic Word of the Episode</h2> <p>Litli Hrútur is the name of the current volcanic eruption</p> <h2>Share This Post</h2> <p>										Facebook<br/> 										Email<br/> 										Twitter									</p> <h2>Let’s Be Social</h2> <p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsIceland/videos" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Youtube<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Instagram<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsiceland?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Tiktok<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Facebook<br/> </a></p>

Iceland’s 2023 Volcanic Eruption – What You Need to Know

If you plan to visit Iceland in May, this information will help you to know what to expect when traveling during this month. That includes road conditions, what to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during that month, some tips on driving in that time, top activities, and events that happen annually during this month. Praise for the All Things Iceland Podcast  				Jewells provides the best information about visiting and the local culture in Iceland. Great travel trips—both must know and little-known facts. I did not know where to start when I planned our 9-day ring road trip, and I am really glad I found this podcast. Forget the guidebooks, listen to this podcast instead! Share from the US Book an Iceland Video Trip Planning Call with Me The other is that if you’re interested in getting personalized trip planning advice from me, you can book me for a consultation via this link.  Weather During May in Iceland Iceland’s weather in May is typically mild, but the variability is something you should always prepare for. The average temperature ranges from 4-10°C (40-50°F). There’s a noticeable uptick in the weather around this time, as it transitions from the icy clutches of winter into the softer breezes of spring. Rain is always a possibility in Iceland, so you should expect a few showers during your visit. While it doesn’t normally snow during May, we did have some hail showers last month. Day Light Hours to Expect in Iceland During May One of the most notable features about Iceland in May is the rapid increase in daylight hours. The sun sets late and rises early, so expect almost 24-hour daylight, a phenomenon known as the ‘midnight sun’. This extended daylight offers more time for exploration and enjoying the stunning landscapes of Iceland. May 1st –  16 hours and 50 minutes May 15th – 18 hours and 23 minutes May 31st –  20 hours  What to Wear in May in Iceland Given the unpredictability of the weather, layering is key when packing for Iceland in May. Start with thermal undergarments, then add a layer of warm clothes, such as a fleece jacket or a wool sweater. Make sure to pack waterproof outer layers, like a good-quality rain jacket and pants. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots are also essential. Don’t forget gloves, a warm hat, and a scarf. On a sunny day, you might even need sunglasses and sunscreen. My Ultimate Packing Checklist is linked in the show notes and will provide you with everything you need to bring. I recommend following the summer list. Just know that it can be a little chilly during the evening in May, especially in the north, so you will need some layers. Road Conditions &amp; Driving in Iceland in May By May, most roads, including the famous Ring Road that circles the country, are usually clear of snow and ice, making it easier to get around. However, highland roads (F-roads) generally remain closed until late June. It’s always a good idea to check the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website for up-to-date information. Driving conditions are typically good in May, but always be cautious, as Icelandic weather can change quickly.  Why You Should Visit Iceland in May May is a great time to visit Iceland due to its extended daylight hours, relatively mild weather, and fewer tourists compared to the summer months. The flora begins to bloom, providing stunning backdrops for your photos. Moreover, many migratory birds, including puffins, arrive in Iceland in May, making it a great time for birdwatching. Top Activities to Do in May  Whale Watching: May is a great time for whale watching, with a variety of species active in the surrounding seas. Bird Watching: Visit the cliffs of Látrabjarg and Hornbjarg to see puffins and other migratory birds. Hiking: Take advantage of the long days and mild weather to explore Iceland’s beautiful trails. Popular locations include the Skógafoss Waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, and all along the south coast. Hot Springs and Geothermal Baths: Relax in natural hot springs and geothermal baths like the Blue Lagoon or Mývatn Nature Baths. Road Trips! Travel around the country and see the natural attractions during this season.   May Events and Holidays in Iceland:  This international holiday is observed on May 1st. It is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement. The holiday may also be known as International Worker’s Day or May Day and is marked with a public holiday in over 80 countries. Ascension Day is a public holiday in Iceland, usually celebrated with outdoor activities, including hikes and barbecues. Reykjavik Arts Festival: Held every two years, this is a major event in Iceland’s cultural calendar, featuring a range of visual and performing arts. The dates vary. Sometimes it is during May or June or spanning across both.  Random Fact of the Episode During my first May in Iceland in 2017 it snowed off and on for a week. I was afraid that winter would never end. LOL Icelandic Word of the Episode Maí – May Share this Post Facebook Email Twitter Let’s Be Social  Youtube   Instagram   Tiktok   Facebook  Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.

<p>If you plan to visit Iceland in May, this information will help you to know what to expect when traveling during this month.</p> <p>That includes road conditions, what to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during that month, some tips on driving in that time, top activities, and events that happen annually during this month.</p> <h2>Praise for the All Things Iceland Podcast</h2> <blockquote><p> 				Jewells provides the best information about visiting and the local culture in Iceland. Great travel trips—both must know and little-known facts. I did not know where to start when I planned our 9-day ring road trip, and I am really glad I found this podcast. Forget the guidebooks, listen to this podcast instead!</p> <p>Share from the US</p></blockquote> <h2>Book an Iceland Video Trip Planning Call with Me</h2> <p>The other is that if you’re interested in getting personalized trip planning advice from me, you can book me for a consultation via <a href="https://calendly.com/allthingsiceland/60min?month=2023-03" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a>.</p> <p></p> <h2>Weather During May in Iceland</h2> <p>Iceland’s weather in May is typically mild, but the variability is something you should always prepare for. The average temperature ranges from 4-10°C (40-50°F). There’s a noticeable uptick in the weather around this time, as it transitions from the icy clutches of winter into the softer breezes of spring. Rain is always a possibility in Iceland, so you should expect a few showers during your visit.</p> <p>While it doesn’t normally snow during May, we did have some hail showers last month.</p> <h2>Day Light Hours to Expect in Iceland During May</h2> <p>One of the most notable features about Iceland in May is the rapid increase in daylight hours. The sun sets late and rises early, so expect almost 24-hour daylight, a phenomenon known as the ‘midnight sun’. This extended daylight offers more time for exploration and enjoying the stunning landscapes of Iceland.</p> <p>May 1st –  16 hours and 50 minutes</p> <p>May 15th – 18 hours and 23 minutes</p> <p>May 31st –  20 hours</p> <p></p> <h2>What to Wear in May in Iceland</h2> <p>Given the unpredictability of the weather, layering is key when packing for Iceland in May. Start with thermal undergarments, then add a layer of warm clothes, such as a fleece jacket or a wool sweater. Make sure to pack waterproof outer layers, like a good-quality rain jacket and pants. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots are also essential. Don’t forget gloves, a warm hat, and a scarf. On a sunny day, you might even need sunglasses and sunscreen.</p> <p>My <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-packing-checklist/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ultimate Packing Checklist</a> is linked in the show notes and will provide you with everything you need to bring. I recommend following the summer list. Just know that it can be a little chilly during the evening in May, especially in the north, so you will need some layers.</p> <h2>Road Conditions &amp; Driving in Iceland in May</h2> <p>By May, most roads, including the famous Ring Road that circles the country, are usually clear of snow and ice, making it easier to get around. However, highland roads (F-roads) generally remain closed until late June.</p> <p>It’s always a good idea to check the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website for up-to-date information. Driving conditions are typically good in May, but always be cautious, as Icelandic weather can change quickly.</p> <p></p> <h2>Why You Should Visit Iceland in May</h2> <p>May is a great time to visit Iceland due to its extended daylight hours, relatively mild weather, and fewer tourists compared to the summer months. The flora begins to bloom, providing stunning backdrops for your photos. Moreover, many migratory birds, including puffins, arrive in Iceland in May, making it a great time for birdwatching.</p> <h2>Top Activities to Do in May</h2> <ol> <li><strong>Whale Watching:</strong> May is a great time for whale watching, with a variety of species active in the surrounding seas.</li> <li><strong>Bird Watching:</strong> Visit the cliffs of Látrabjarg and Hornbjarg to see puffins and other migratory birds.</li> <li><strong>Hiking:</strong> Take advantage of the long days and mild weather to explore Iceland’s beautiful trails. Popular locations include the Skógafoss Waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, and all along the south coast.</li> <li><strong>Hot Springs and Geothermal Baths:</strong> Relax in natural hot springs and geothermal baths like the Blue Lagoon or Mývatn Nature Baths.</li> <li><strong>Road Trips! </strong>Travel around the country and see the natural attractions during this season.</li> </ol> <p></p> <h2>May Events and Holidays in Iceland:</h2> <ol> <li>This international holiday is observed on May 1st. It is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement. The holiday may also be known as <strong>International Worker’s Day</strong> or <strong>May Day</strong> and is marked with a public holiday in over 80 countries.</li> <li><strong>Ascension Day</strong> is a public holiday in Iceland, usually celebrated with outdoor activities, including hikes and barbecues.</li> <li><strong>Reykjavik Arts Festival</strong>: Held every two years, this is a major event in Iceland’s cultural calendar, featuring a range of visual and performing arts. The dates vary. Sometimes it is during May or June or spanning across both.</li> </ol> <h2>Random Fact of the Episode</h2> <p>During my first May in Iceland in 2017 it snowed off and on for a week. I was afraid that winter would never end. LOL</p> <h2>Icelandic Word of the Episode</h2> <p>Maí – May</p> <h2>Share this Post</h2> <p>Facebook<br/> Email<br/> Twitter</p> <h2>Let’s Be Social</h2> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsIceland/videos" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Youtube<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Instagram<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsiceland?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Tiktok<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Facebook<br/> </a></p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.</p>

Iceland in May – Weather, Things to Do & What to Expect

Wow, it‘s amazing that I have been living in Iceland for seven years! Even though I know this is a decent amount of time, it feels like it i has flown by. So much has changed since I moved here in 2016, and I‘m sharing some of the major changes/transitions that have happened in my life this year. 5th Year All Things Iceland Podcast Anniversary  June is a major month in my life. I was born in this month, I moved to Iceland during this month, and I started the All Things Iceland in June of 2018. The podcast was the start of all of this. When I started it I gave myself a year to be consistent with posting. Thankfully, all of that hard work paid off and I was receiving message from people saying how much they enjoyed the episodes. I was delighted and surprised that people were listening! There is so much more I want to do with the podcast and I would love to hear the topics that you want to hear on the show. Feel free to send me an email at jewells(at)allthingsiceland(dot)com. Getting Divorced in Iceland after 7 Years Living Here One major shift in my life over the last year was that Gunnar and I broke up. In Iceland, getting divorced takes a while to be finalized. After filing for separation, you have to wait six months before you can file the final paperwork for the divorce to be done. Our divorce will be finalized this month as well. Seriously, June really does seem to be a big month in my life. It was not an easy decision to choose to do that. It certainly was not one that either of us took lightly. In the end it felt like the right decision. Being single in Iceland is foreign to me and this new chapter is one that is helping me to grow in many ways. Selling the Apartment  We had an apartment that we owned together and selling that was a major part of the breakup process. In 2021 we bought the place and had it completely renovated. Due to the renovations, we were not able to live in the apartment for six months! I moved out of the apartment in February of 2023, which means that we only lived there for one year. I loved designing that apartment and it was a little bittersweet to let it go. However, it was best for us to sell it. Funny enough, the people who bought it are an American woman and an Icelandic man. Being Featured on the Geography of Bliss Show  I was stunned and exhilirated when I was asked if I was interested to be featured in Geography of Bliss. It was such a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed every minute of it. Rainn Wilson was a lovely person to hang out with and the production team were awesome. I honestly couldn‘t have had a better experience. Learning Icelandic My Icelandic has definitely improved leaps and bounds over the years. It is still not at the fluency I am aiming for and the good news is that it‘s getting there. Currently, I am doing Siggi‘s self-study course for 3 months. It is helping me to read more regularly, build my vocabulary, and undertsand more of the language on a higher level. Building Resilience  As I have been adjusting to my new life, I felt the need to work on my resilience. Part of that process has been taking Andri Iceland‘s limitless month long program. It helped me to push past some limiting beliefs I had, and to think outside of the box. Random Fact of the Episode It‘s amazing to think that I have 205 episodes of the podcast. That is 41 episodes a year when I divide it by 5. I‘m proud of that and thank you to all of you that have listened over the years. Icelandic Word of the Episode Sjö ára afmæli – 7 year anniversary Share this Post Facebook Email LinkedIn Let’s Be Social  Youtube   Tiktok   Instagram   Facebook 

<p>Wow, it‘s amazing that I have been living in Iceland for seven years! Even though I know this is a decent amount of time, it feels like it i has flown by. So much has changed since I moved here in 2016, and I‘m sharing some of the major changes/transitions that have happened in my life this year.</p> <h2>5th Year All Things Iceland Podcast Anniversary</h2> <p></p> <p>June is a major month in my life. I was born in this month, I moved to Iceland during this month, and I started the <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland</a> in June of 2018. The podcast was the start of all of this. When I started it I gave myself a year to be consistent with posting. Thankfully, all of that hard work paid off and I was receiving message from people saying how much they enjoyed the episodes.</p> <p>I was delighted and surprised that people were listening! There is so much more I want to do with the podcast and I would love to hear the topics that you want to hear on the show. Feel free to send me an email at jewells(at)allthingsiceland(dot)com.</p> <h2>Getting Divorced in Iceland after 7 Years Living Here</h2> <p>One major shift in my life over the last year was that Gunnar and I broke up. In Iceland, getting divorced takes a while to be finalized. After filing for separation, you have to wait six months before you can file the final paperwork for the divorce to be done.</p> <p>Our divorce will be finalized this month as well. Seriously, June really does seem to be a big month in my life. It was not an easy decision to choose to do that. It certainly was not one that either of us took lightly. In the end it felt like the right decision. Being single in Iceland is foreign to me and this new chapter is one that is helping me to grow in many ways.</p> <h2>Selling the Apartment</h2> <p></p> <p>We had an apartment that we owned together and selling that was a major part of the breakup process. In 2021 we bought the place and had it completely renovated. Due to the renovations, we were not able to live in the apartment for six months!</p> <p>I moved out of the apartment in February of 2023, which means that we only lived there for one year. I loved designing that apartment and it was a little bittersweet to let it go. However, it was best for us to sell it. Funny enough, the people who bought it are an American woman and an Icelandic man.</p> <h2>Being Featured on the Geography of Bliss Show</h2> <p></p> <p>I was stunned and exhilirated when I was asked if I was interested to be featured in Geography of Bliss. It was such a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed every minute of it. Rainn Wilson was a lovely person to hang out with and the production team were awesome. I honestly couldn‘t have had a better experience.</p> <h2>Learning Icelandic</h2> <p>My Icelandic has definitely improved leaps and bounds over the years. It is still not at the fluency I am aiming for and the good news is that it‘s getting there. Currently, I am doing Siggi‘s self-study course for 3 months. It is helping me to read more regularly, build my vocabulary, and undertsand more of the language on a higher level.</p> <h2>Building Resilience</h2> <p></p> <p>As I have been adjusting to my new life, I felt the need to work on my resilience. Part of that process has been taking Andri Iceland‘s limitless month long program. It helped me to push past some limiting beliefs I had, and to think outside of the box.</p> <h2>Random Fact of the Episode</h2> <p>It‘s amazing to think that I have 205 episodes of the podcast. That is 41 episodes a year when I divide it by 5. I‘m proud of that and thank you to all of you that have listened over the years.</p> <h2>Icelandic Word of the Episode</h2> <p>Sjö ára afmæli – 7 year anniversary</p> <h2>Share this Post</h2> <p>Facebook<br/> Email<br/> LinkedIn</p> <h2>Let’s Be Social</h2> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsIceland/videos" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Youtube<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsiceland?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Tiktok<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Instagram<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Facebook<br/> </a></p>

Celebrating 7 Years of Living in Iceland

Rainn Wilson

I have exciting news!! On May 18th a show named Geography of Bliss became available on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. It’s hosted by Rainn Wilson. He is most known for playing Dwight Shrute on the American version of The Office. The show asks which nations are the happiest on Earth, and what it is about these countries that makes their citizens so joyful. Watch Geography of Bliss on Peacock Iceland is the first episode on the show. I am beyond excited and honored to say that I am one of the people featured in the show! This show was filmed over a year ago, so I have been holding onto this information for so long. It’s nice to finally let the cat out of the bag! During the episode, Rainn and I go on an ísbíltúr or ice cream roadtrip. We talk about what it has been like for me living here and if I plan to stay for the long haul. There were many things we talked about that do not show up in the episode at all. I totally understand that not everything can be included. I think they did a great job of cutting the whole episode, which I highly recommend that you watch. One thing I really love is that they included a shot with my sister, me and my mom in the Blue Lagoon hanging out. It was lovely to have my family in there too. My Former Icelandic Husband I have to address one topic that I have yet to talk about on here and that is regarding my relationship. If you are not following me on YouTube, Instagram of Facebook, then you probably are not aware that Gunnar and I have decided to divorce. We were toegther when the show was filmed. Many months later the producers of the show reached out to me during post production to ask for permission to use videos and photos of Gunnar and I as additional footage in the show. I explained to  them that we were splitting up and that it is probably not a good idea to share that content because we are not going to be together. Well, they replied saying they were sorry to hear about my breakup and asked if he would be open to giving his permission for them to use images and photos even though we are going our separate ways. I said I was not sure but can ask. In the end, he did give permission and that was nice of him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTP503NEQqg Let Me Know What You Thought of Geography of Bliss If you watch the show, feel free to let me know via email at jewells(at)allthingsiceland(dot)com or via social media. I would love to hear if you enjoyed it. Share This Post Facebook Email Twitter Let’s Be Social  Youtube   Instagram   Tiktok   Facebook 

<p>I have exciting news!! On May 18th a show named <a href="https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/asset/tv/rainn-wilson-and-the-geography-of-bliss/8759976039632137112?orig_ref=https://www.google.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Geography of Bliss</a> became available on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. It’s hosted by Rainn Wilson. He is most known for playing Dwight Shrute on the American version of The Office. The show asks which nations are the happiest on Earth, and what it is about these countries that makes their citizens so joyful.</p> <h2>Watch Geography of Bliss on Peacock</h2> <p>Iceland is the first episode on the show. I am beyond excited and honored to say that I am one of the people featured in the show!</p> <p>This show was filmed over a year ago, so I have been holding onto this information for so long. It’s nice to finally let the cat out of the bag! During the episode, Rainn and I go on an ísbíltúr or ice cream roadtrip. We talk about what it has been like for me living here and if I plan to stay for the long haul.</p> <p>There were many things we talked about that do not show up in the episode at all. I totally understand that not everything can be included. I think they did a great job of cutting the whole episode, which I highly recommend that you watch.</p> <p>One thing I really love is that they included a shot with my sister, me and my mom in the Blue Lagoon hanging out. It was lovely to have my family in there too.</p> <h2>My Former Icelandic Husband</h2> <p>I have to address one topic that I have yet to talk about on here and that is regarding my relationship. If you are not following me on YouTube, Instagram of Facebook, then you probably are not aware that Gunnar and I have decided to divorce.</p> <p>We were toegther when the show was filmed. Many months later the producers of the show reached out to me during post production to ask for permission to use videos and photos of Gunnar and I as additional footage in the show.</p> <p>I explained to  them that we were splitting up and that it is probably not a good idea to share that content because we are not going to be together. Well, they replied saying they were sorry to hear about my breakup and asked if he would be open to giving his permission for them to use images and photos even though we are going our separate ways. I said I was not sure but can ask. In the end, he did give permission and that was nice of him.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTP503NEQqg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTP503NEQqg</a></p> <h2>Let Me Know What You Thought of Geography of Bliss</h2> <p>If you watch the show, feel free to let me know via email at jewells(at)allthingsiceland(dot)com or via social media. I would love to hear if you enjoyed it.</p> <h2>Share This Post</h2> <p>Facebook<br/> Email<br/> Twitter</p> <h2>Let’s Be Social</h2> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsIceland/videos" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Youtube<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Instagram<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsiceland?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Tiktok<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Facebook<br/> </a></p>

Being Featured on Geography of Bliss with Rainn Wilson

Learn what to expect when traveling to Iceland in April. That includes road conditions, what to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during this month, some tips on driving during this time, top activities, and events that happen annually during this month. Weather in Iceland in April April marks the transition from winter to spring in Iceland. The weather can be unpredictable, with varying temperatures and frequent changes. The average high temperature is 44 F (6.8 C), and the low temperature is 39 F (3 C). I always recommend that you pack layers and be prepared for sudden weather shifts, including rain, snow, wind, and occasional sunshine.   Daylight Hours One of the major advantages of visiting Iceland in April is the lengthening of daylight hours. During the early part of the month, you can enjoy approximately: April 1st – 13 hours and 31 minutes On April 15th there are 15 hours and 03 minutes April 30th – 16 hours and 43 minutes   Road Conditions &amp; Driving in Iceland Because April is a transitional month road conditions can vary. While main roads are generally accessible, some secondary roads in remote areas may still be closed or have limited access due to lingering snow and ice. It’s crucial to stay updated on road conditions and weather forecasts by checking reliable sources like the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration’s website. If you plan on driving, renting a 4×4 vehicle with studded winter tires is recommended for added safety. It’s a Great Time to Explore in a Car or Campervan Go Car Rental Iceland is a local Icelandic car rental company that has great customer service, a large variety of cars and very competitive prices. Use my code Iceland10 to save 10% off the entire cost of your rental car. I personally use them for when I go on adventures, and I’m so glad to hear that many of my listeners and subscribers are also having a great experience with them. I mentioned in a previous episode that one of my listeners switched to Go Car Rental Iceland from one of the internationally known rental car companies here and she saved $400! That was for a rental during the summer when prices can sometimes double due to demand. If you plan to use a campervan, use my code Iceland7 to save 7% and get two free duvets with your GO Campers van rental. Also, I have a great episode coming up soon about how to choose the right camper van for your travels in Iceland, so keep an eye out for that.   What to Wear in Iceland in April To stay comfortable during your visit in April, it’s essential to dress in layers. Start with a base layer of thermal clothing, followed by a sweater or fleece, and top it off with a waterproof and windproof outer layer. Don’t forget to bring a hat, gloves, and a sturdy pair of waterproof boots for outdoor activities. It’s also wise to have a waterproof backpack to protect your belongings from unexpected showers. If you want more specific help with what to pack, grab my FREE ultimate packing checklist for Iceland.    Why You Should Visit Iceland in April  April offers a unique blend of winter and spring experiences. Here are a few reasons why it’s an excellent time to visit Iceland:  Fewer tourists compared to the peak summer season, allowing for a more intimate experience. Witness the transition of landscapes from snow-covered winter wonderlands to budding greenery. Increased chances of viewing the Northern Lights due to extended darkness during the evenings. Opportunity to enjoy activities like glacier hiking, ice caving, and snowmobiling before they become inaccessible during the warmer months. Often slightly warmer    Iceland Events in April  Aldrei Fór Ég Suður – this is a music festival in the Westfjords that takes place over the long Easter weekend. Children’s Culture Festival – A lovely festival that’s fun for the whole family.  Top Activities to Do in April   Glacier Tours – hiking &amp; climbing Snowmobile Tours Fun Road Trips around the country Bathing in Geothermal Pools Ice Cave Tours Northern Lights Explore Reykjavík Whale Watching  Learn About the Other Months in Iceland   Iceland in January Iceland in February Iceland in March  Random Fact of the Episode  The first day of summer in Iceland is in April! Yes, you read that right. I explain in the podcast episode why that is the case. Icelandic Word of the Episode Apríl – April in English Share This Post 										Facebook 										Email 										Twitter									 Let’s Be Social   						Youtube   						Instagram   						Tiktok   						Facebook 

<p>Learn what to expect when traveling to Iceland in April. That includes road conditions, what to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during this month, some tips on driving during this time, top activities, and events that happen annually during this month.</p> <h2>Weather in Iceland in April</h2> <p>April marks the transition from winter to spring in Iceland. The weather can be unpredictable, with varying temperatures and frequent changes. The average high temperature is 44 F (6.8 C), and the low temperature is 39 F (3 C).</p> <p>I always recommend that you pack layers and be prepared for sudden weather shifts, including rain, snow, wind, and occasional sunshine.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Daylight Hours</h2> <p>One of the major advantages of visiting Iceland in April is the lengthening of daylight hours. During the early part of the month, you can enjoy approximately:</p> <p>April 1st – 13 hours and 31 minutes</p> <p>On April 15th there are 15 hours and 03 minutes</p> <p>April 30th – 16 hours and 43 minutes</p> <p> </p> <h2>Road Conditions &amp; Driving in Iceland</h2> <p>Because April is a transitional month road conditions can vary. While main roads are generally accessible, some secondary roads in remote areas may still be closed or have limited access due to lingering snow and ice.</p> <p>It’s crucial to stay updated on road conditions and weather forecasts by checking reliable sources like the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration’s website. If you plan on driving, renting a 4×4 vehicle with studded winter tires is recommended for added safety.</p> <h2>It’s a Great Time to Explore in a Car or Campervan</h2> <p><a href="https://www.gocarrental.is/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Go Car Rental Iceland</a> is a local Icelandic car rental company that has great customer service, a large variety of cars and very competitive prices. Use my code Iceland10 to save 10% off the entire cost of your rental car.</p> <p>I personally use them for when I go on adventures, and I’m so glad to hear that many of my listeners and subscribers are also having a great experience with them. I mentioned in a previous episode that one of my listeners switched to Go Car Rental Iceland from one of the internationally known rental car companies here and she saved $400! That was for a rental during the summer when prices can sometimes double due to demand.</p> <p>If you plan to use a campervan, use my code Iceland7 to save 7% and get two free duvets with your <a href="https://www.gocampers.is/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">GO Campers</a> van rental. Also, I have a great episode coming up soon about how to choose the right camper van for your travels in Iceland, so keep an eye out for that.</p> <p> </p> <h2>What to Wear in Iceland in April</h2> <p>To stay comfortable during your visit in April, it’s essential to dress in layers. Start with a base layer of thermal clothing, followed by a sweater or fleece, and top it off with a waterproof and windproof outer layer. Don’t forget to bring a hat, gloves, and a sturdy pair of waterproof boots for outdoor activities. It’s also wise to have a waterproof backpack to protect your belongings from unexpected showers.</p> <p>If you want more specific help with what to pack, grab my <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-packing-checklist/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">FREE ultimate packing checklist</a> for Iceland.</p> <p> <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-packing-checklist/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> </a></p> <h2>Why You Should Visit Iceland in April </h2> <p>April offers a unique blend of winter and spring experiences. Here are a few reasons why it’s an excellent time to visit Iceland:</p> <ul> <li>Fewer tourists compared to the peak summer season, allowing for a more intimate experience.</li> <li>Witness the transition of landscapes from snow-covered winter wonderlands to budding greenery.</li> <li>Increased chances of viewing the Northern Lights due to extended darkness during the evenings.</li> <li>Opportunity to enjoy activities like glacier hiking, ice caving, and snowmobiling before they become inaccessible during the warmer months.</li> <li>Often slightly warmer</li> </ul> <p> </p> <h2>Iceland Events in April</h2> <ol> <li><a href="https://www.aldrei.is/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><strong>Aldrei Fór Ég Suður</strong></a> – this is a music festival in the Westfjords that takes place over the long Easter weekend.</li> <li><a href="https://reykjavik.is/en/childrens-culture-festival" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Children’s Culture Festival</a> – A lovely festival that’s fun for the whole family.</li> </ol> <h2>Top Activities to Do in April </h2> <ul> <li>Glacier Tours – hiking &amp; climbing</li> <li>Snowmobile Tours</li> <li>Fun Road Trips around the country</li> <li>Bathing in Geothermal Pools</li> <li>Ice Cave Tours</li> <li>Northern Lights</li> <li>Explore Reykjavík</li> <li>Whale Watching</li> </ul> <h2>Learn About the Other Months in Iceland </h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-in-january/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Iceland in January</a></li> <li><a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-in-february/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Iceland in February</a></li> <li><a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-in-march/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Iceland in March</a></li> </ul> <h2>Random Fact of the Episode </h2> <p>The first day of summer in Iceland is in April! Yes, you read that right. I explain in the podcast episode why that is the case.</p> <h2>Icelandic Word of the Episode</h2> <p>Apríl – April in English</p> <h2>Share This Post</h2> <p>										Facebook<br/> 										Email<br/> 										Twitter									</p> <h2>Let’s Be Social</h2> <p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsIceland/videos" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Youtube<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Instagram<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsiceland?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Tiktok<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Facebook<br/> </a></p>

Iceland in April – Weather, Things to Do, & What to Expect

Phil Fontaine

I had the honor of interviewing Chief Phil Fontaine, an Indigenous Canadian leader, and former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He is best known for playing a central role in raising awareness about residential schools in Canada and pushing for a Federal and Papal apology in 2008 and 2022. Additionally, he helped to get a repudiation of the Discovery Doctrine from Pope Francis about a month ago on March 30th, 2023. The Manitoba area is where hundreds of Icelanders immigrated to in the 1800s. During the interview, we talked about his historical work and “West Icelanders” (what Icelanders are called who immigrated to the West) who settled in Gimli, and surrounding areas. He shared some fascinating insight about the community and their interactions with the indigenous community, who have been living all over Canada before any Europeans immigrated there. Learn More about Chief Phil Fontaine here. Thank You to the National Research Council of Canada This episode was sponsored using funds from the Social Sciences &amp; Humanities Research Council of Canada. A special thank you to L.K. Bertram for connecting me with Chief Phil for this dynamic, educational, and insightful conversation. Share This Episode 										Facebook 										Email 										Twitter									 Let’s Be Social   						Youtube   						Instagram   						Tiktok   						Facebook 

<p>I had the honor of interviewing Chief Phil Fontaine, an Indigenous Canadian leader, and former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He is best known for playing a central role in raising awareness about residential schools in Canada and pushing for a Federal and Papal apology in 2008 and 2022. Additionally, he helped to get a repudiation of the Discovery Doctrine from Pope Francis about a month ago on March 30th, 2023.</p> <p>The Manitoba area is where hundreds of Icelanders immigrated to in the 1800s. During the interview, we talked about his historical work and “West Icelanders” (what Icelanders are called who immigrated to the West) who settled in Gimli, and surrounding areas. He shared some fascinating insight about the community and their interactions with the indigenous community, who have been living all over Canada before any Europeans immigrated there.</p> <p>Learn More about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Fontaine" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Chief Phil Fontaine here</a>.</p> <h2>Thank You to the National Research Council of Canada</h2> <p>This episode was sponsored using funds from the Social Sciences &amp; Humanities Research Council of Canada.</p> <p>A special thank you to <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/icelanders-living-in-canada/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">L.K. Bertram</a> for connecting me with Chief Phil for this dynamic, educational, and insightful conversation.</p> <h2>Share This Episode</h2> <p>										Facebook<br/> 										Email<br/> 										Twitter									</p> <h2>Let’s Be Social</h2> <p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsIceland/videos" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Youtube<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Instagram<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsiceland?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Tiktok<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Facebook<br/> </a></p>

Chief Phil Fontaine on West Icelanders & His History-Making Activism for Indigenous People

Learn all about what to expect when traveling in Iceland during March. Road conditions, what to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during that month, some tips on driving in that time, top activities, and events that happen annually during that month. Also, I want to say thank you to some people who recently left reviews for the podcast durng the month of March of 2023. Reviews of the All Things Iceland Podcast   				We are planning a trip to Iceland this June. Jewell’s Podcast has been a tremendous wealth of information on Iceland, what to do in Iceland and what to expect. I am embarrassed I have not reviewed it before as I have even listening to all the episodes and the information is pertinent and fun!			 											ChicagoRunner 123456789 from the United States 					   				Such a great resource for trip planning. And really interesting to learn more about the culture too!			 											sarahintampa from the United States 					 Weather During March In Iceland March is still considered winter in Iceland, so you can expect cold temperatures with an average temperature of 0°C (32°F) but the range is often -2°C (around 28 Fahrenheit) and 3.3°C (around 38 Fahrenheit. In previous years it has also the wettest month of the year, so it’s important to pack waterproof clothing. Day Light Hours in March   During March, Iceland experiences around 12 hours of daylight. The days are getting longer, and the sun rises around 7:30 AM and sets around 6 PM. Here are the hours you can expect from the beginning of the month vs the end. March 1st – 10 hours and 9 minutes March 16th – 11 hours and 47 minutes March 31st –  13 hours and 25 minutes Road Conditions &amp; Driving in Iceland During March   Road conditions in Iceland can be unpredictable, especially during winter. It’s important to check the weather and road conditions before setting out on a road trip. While you don’t have to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle, some people do so because you have more control over the car due the roads potentially being slippery and icy. Additionally, rental car companies here keep the nail tires on cars during March, so that helps provide extra traction on slippery roads. While there way more daylight during this time of the year than other winter months, they are still limited, so it’s important to plan your driving routes accordingly. If you decide to drive by yourself don’t forget to check the official websites road.is and safetravel.is before heading out to see if there are any weather warnings or road closures that might impact your trip. Drive Yourself Around Iceland on a Discount Go Car Rental Iceland is a local Icelandic car rental company that has great customer service, a large variety of cars and very competitive prices. Use my code Iceland10 to save 10% off the entire cost of your rental car. I personally use them for when I go on adventures, and I’m so glad to hear that many of my listeners and subscribers are also having a great experience with them. I mentioned in a previous episode that one of my listeners switched to Go Car Rental Iceland from one of the internationally known rental car companies here and she saved $400! That was for a rental during the summer when prices can sometimes double due to demand. What to Wear in Iceland During March Because this is a wintery month that can still be quite cold, make sure you bring a parka and necessary layers. Make sure to grab my free Iceland Packing Checklist. There is a separate list in it for winter and for summer. You can expect possible snow weather warnings, icy conditions (so bring your micro spikes), windy conditions (which is normal all year here), and of course some precipitations. We do have days where it is sunny and bright, but the cold is still present, so dressing accordingly will keep you warm and dry. It’s important to dress in layers and bring warm, waterproof clothing. You should also pack sturdy hiking boots with good traction, as there may still be snow and ice on the ground.    Why You Should Visit Iceland in March   March is a great time to visit Iceland if you’re looking to avoid the crowds of the peak tourist season. Plus, with the snow and ice, Iceland’s stunning landscapes become even more breathtaking. You can also catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, which are still visible during this time. We’ve had spectacular northern lights this year but just remember that it is not guaranteed that you will see them. Check out my episode about the Northern Lights to give yourself the best opportunity to see them while visiting. Top Activities to Do in March   March is the last month for all the winter activities, such as exploring ice caves and seeing the Northern Lights. To be fair, you can potentially see them in April, but the chances are so much slimmer due to longer and brighter days.  Northern Lights Ice Cave Tours Glacier Tours – hiking &amp; climbing Snowmobile Tours Skiing &amp; Snowboarding  Bláafjöll mountain near Reykjavík Troll Peninsula   Fun Winter Road Trips Bathing in Geothermal Pools  March Events in Iceland  National Beer Day – March 1st     Beer in Iceland was illegal for about 70 years and it became legal again on March 1st, 1989. That day has been dubbed Bjórdagur or Beer Day.    2. The Food and Fun festival    Awesome chefs from different countries come to Iceland to cook up delicious meals in well-known restaurants in Reykjavík. It’s a fun way to try out new dishes.    Random Fact of the Episode According to Icelandic meteorologist Trausti Jónsson, March of 2023 was by far the coldest it has been, on average, this century. We had many days of extremely frigid temperatures in the negatives. These frigid temperatures and storms resulted in tourists traveling during this time needing help because they were weather clogged. Basically, they had trouble seeing on the road or pulled over because the wind was too much for them to drive. There was a yellow warning and people still decided to drive. The Icelandic Search &amp; Rescue team had to help around 40-50 cars one night due to people not heeding the warning. In much happier news, The Golden Plover, or Lóa as it is called in Icelandic, was spotted in late March. This bird is said to sing away the snow and mean that spring is on the way. Icelandic Word of the Episode Mars – march Share This Episode 										Facebook 										Email 										Twitter									 Let’s Be Social   						Youtube   						Instagram   						Tiktok   						Facebook  Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta eða lesa og sjáumst fljótlega.

<p>Learn all about what to expect when traveling in Iceland during March. Road conditions, what to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during that month, some tips on driving in that time, top activities, and events that happen annually during that month.</p> <p>Also, I want to say thank you to some people who recently left reviews for the podcast durng the month of March of 2023.</p> <h2>Reviews of the All Things Iceland Podcast</h2> <blockquote> <p> 				We are planning a trip to Iceland this June. Jewell’s Podcast has been a tremendous wealth of information on Iceland, what to do in Iceland and what to expect. I am embarrassed I have not reviewed it before as I have even listening to all the episodes and the information is pertinent and fun!			</p> <p>											ChicagoRunner 123456789 from the United States 					</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p> 				Such a great resource for trip planning. And really interesting to learn more about the culture too!			</p> <p>											sarahintampa from the United States 					</p></blockquote> <h2>Weather During March In Iceland</h2> <p>March is still considered winter in Iceland, so you can expect cold temperatures with an average temperature of 0°C (32°F) but the range is often -2°C (around 28 Fahrenheit) and 3.3°C (around 38 Fahrenheit. In previous years it has also the wettest month of the year, so it’s important to pack waterproof clothing.</p> <h2>Day Light Hours in March</h2> <p> </p> <p>During March, Iceland experiences around 12 hours of daylight. The days are getting longer, and the sun rises around 7:30 AM and sets around 6 PM. Here are the hours you can expect from the beginning of the month vs the end.</p> <p>March 1st – 10 hours and 9 minutes</p> <p>March 16th – 11 hours and 47 minutes</p> <p>March 31st –  13 hours and 25 minutes</p> <h2>Road Conditions &amp; Driving in Iceland During March</h2> <p> </p> <p>Road conditions in Iceland can be unpredictable, especially during winter. It’s important to check the weather and road conditions before setting out on a road trip.</p> <p>While you don’t have to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle, some people do so because you have more control over the car due the roads potentially being slippery and icy. Additionally, rental car companies here keep the nail tires on cars during March, so that helps provide extra traction on slippery roads.</p> <p>While there way more daylight during this time of the year than other winter months, they are still limited, so it’s important to plan your driving routes accordingly.</p> <p>If you decide to drive by yourself don’t forget to check the official websites <a href="http://www.road.is/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">road.is</a> and <a href="https://safetravel.is/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">safetravel.is</a> before heading out to see if there are any weather warnings or road closures that might impact your trip.</p> <h2>Drive Yourself Around Iceland on a Discount</h2> <p><a href="https://www.gocarrental.is/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Go Car Rental Iceland</a> is a local Icelandic car rental company that has great customer service, a large variety of cars and very competitive prices. Use my code Iceland10 to save 10% off the entire cost of your rental car.</p> <p>I personally use them for when I go on adventures, and I’m so glad to hear that many of my listeners and subscribers are also having a great experience with them. I mentioned in a previous episode that one of my listeners switched to Go Car Rental Iceland from one of the internationally known rental car companies here and she saved $400! That was for a rental during the summer when prices can sometimes double due to demand.</p> <h2>What to Wear in Iceland During March</h2> <p>Because this is a wintery month that can still be quite cold, make sure you bring a parka and necessary layers. Make sure to grab my <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-packing-checklist/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">free Iceland Packing Checklist</a>. There is a separate list in it for winter and for summer.</p> <p>You can expect possible snow weather warnings, icy conditions (so bring your micro spikes), windy conditions (which is normal all year here), and of course some precipitations. We do have days where it is sunny and bright, but the cold is still present, so dressing accordingly will keep you warm and dry.</p> <p>It’s important to dress in layers and bring warm, waterproof clothing. You should also pack sturdy hiking boots with good traction, as there may still be snow and ice on the ground.</p> <p> <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-packing-checklist/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> </a></p> <h2>Why You Should Visit Iceland in March</h2> <p> </p> <p>March is a great time to visit Iceland if you’re looking to avoid the crowds of the peak tourist season. Plus, with the snow and ice, Iceland’s stunning landscapes become even more breathtaking.</p> <p>You can also catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, which are still visible during this time. We’ve had spectacular northern lights this year but just remember that it is not guaranteed that you will see them.</p> <p>Check out my <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/northern-lights-iceland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">episode about the Northern Lights</a> to give yourself the best opportunity to see them while visiting.</p> <h2>Top Activities to Do in March</h2> <p> </p> <p>March is the last month for all the winter activities, such as exploring ice caves and seeing the Northern Lights. To be fair, you can potentially see them in April, but the chances are so much slimmer due to longer and brighter days.</p> <ul> <li>Northern Lights</li> <li>Ice Cave Tours</li> <li>Glacier Tours – hiking &amp; climbing</li> <li>Snowmobile Tours</li> <li>Skiing &amp; Snowboarding <ul> <li>Bláafjöll mountain near Reykjavík</li> <li>Troll Peninsula</li> </ul> </li> <li>Fun Winter Road Trips</li> <li>Bathing in Geothermal Pools</li> </ul> <h2>March Events in Iceland</h2> <ol> <li>National Beer Day – March 1st</li> </ol> <ul> <li> <ul> <li>Beer in Iceland was illegal for about 70 years and it became legal again on March 1st, 1989. That day has been dubbed Bjórdagur or Beer Day.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.foodandfun.is/food-and-fun-2023-english" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2. The Food and Fun festival</a></p> <ul> <li> <ul> <li>Awesome chefs from different countries come to Iceland to cook up delicious meals in well-known restaurants in Reykjavík. It’s a fun way to try out new dishes.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h2>Random Fact of the Episode</h2> <p><a href="https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2023/03/28/coldest_march_in_reykjavik_this_century/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">According to Icelandic meteorologist Trausti Jónsson</a>, March of 2023 was by far the coldest it has been, on average, this century. We had many days of extremely frigid temperatures in the negatives.</p> <p>These frigid temperatures and storms resulted in tourists traveling during this time needing help because they were weather clogged. Basically, they had trouble seeing on the road or pulled over because the wind was too much for them to drive. There was a yellow warning and people still decided to drive. The Icelandic Search &amp; Rescue team had to help around 40-50 cars one night due to people not heeding the warning.</p> <p>In much happier news, The Golden Plover, or Lóa as it is called in Icelandic, was spotted in late March. This bird is said to sing away the snow and mean that spring is on the way.</p> <h2>Icelandic Word of the Episode</h2> <p>Mars – march</p> <h2>Share This Episode</h2> <p>										Facebook<br/> 										Email<br/> 										Twitter									</p> <h2>Let’s Be Social</h2> <p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsIceland/videos" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Youtube<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Instagram<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsiceland?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Tiktok<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Facebook<br/> </a></p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta eða lesa og sjáumst fljótlega.</p>

Iceland in March – Weather, Northern Lights, Things to Do & More

As I write this we are still full on in winter in Iceland, but I think it’s imperative to share some essential trip-planning tips for summer here. Summer is the high season and now that people are traveling more, I’m seeing that the number of people planning to come during this time is increasing dramatically. Some of you might not know but I do one-to-one video consultation calls with people planning their trips to Iceland. They are one hour long and recently I have been chatting with people who are coming this summer. While the consultation calls are personalized according to what the person wants to do and see, I noticed there are some common things to know that could be helpful for everyone planning to visit during peak season. What is Discussed in this Post  What to book immediately For Your Summer Trip to Iceland Travel Tips for Driving Around the Country Iceland’s Magnificent &amp; Disruptive Midnight Sun How to Beat Summer Crowds in Iceland What to know if you plan to hike in the Icelandic Highlands The Best Places to See Puffins and Whales in Iceland Iceland’s Summer Events Worth Attending What to Pack for a Summer Adventure in Iceland  Book an Iceland Trip Planning Call with Me Before I jump into my tips, if you’re interested in getting personalized trip planning advice from me, you can book me for a consultation via this link. I’m always delighted to hear at the end of the video call that the consultation has been so helpful. One review of this service I provide is from Riana D, who wrote, 							“Our conversation with Jewells made a distant and unfamiliar place that was foreign to us, Iceland, seem familiar and practical. She helped design a trip that was exciting to me, an active young adult, and accessible to my travel partner- my retired mother! I particularly recommend taking advantage of her rental car discount code.”  														Riana D Thank you for the review, Riana D. The rental car code she is referring to is for Go Car Rental Iceland. By using “Iceland10”, you can save 10% on you full rental car cost from a local and amazing car rental company. This especially comes in handy during summer because the cost of rental cars can double when compared to winter due to high demand. 1. Book These Things in Iceland Right Immediately * Accommodations After you have gotten your flight tickets, it’s imperative that you get your accommodations settled right away. Some people are buying their flight tickets 6 months ahead of when they travel but are waiting to book accommodations. The issue with that is accommodations are filling up quickly. Before the start of 2023, 70% of accommodations in Iceland were booked for summertime (June – August). A lot of construction is happening here to build more accommodations, but it’s been hard to keep up with the demand of the number of travelers.   * Rental Car While you have a little more leeway with your rental car, I recommend getting that squared away as well. Many travelers, like yourself, want the best bang for their buck and the earlier you get your rental car, the more choices you have. For instance, smaller 2WD cars cost less and are great for driving around the country during the summer, especially if you just plan to be on the ring road. Those are the first cars to get snagged. Also, the nicer 4×4 cars for the highlands get snagged too. * Camping Sites If you’re planning to use a camper van or to camp in a tent, there are some camp sites that sell out because they are so popular. Mainly, the ones in the south of the country. It’s good to map out what places you plan to visit and the campsites nearby so you can book them in advance as well. * Certain Tours &amp; Experiences Thankfully, there are not a lot of tours and experiences that you don’t have to book ahead of time but are a few that I recommend that you do. The Blue Lagoon during summer usually has no reservation available once you hit the summer months. It’s not to say that some people might pull out of their reservation and space opens but it’s better to err on the side of caution and book that, if you plan to go. Glacier walks and whale watching tours also seem to get booked up quickly too.   2. Driving Around Iceland Travel Tips I plan to do a whole episode about driving times to popular attractions and worthwhile locations in Iceland, but I do want to give some tips about driving around the whole country. First, it takes about 17 hours if you want to drive just around the ring road of the country. That time is if you never stopped the car, which is obviously not something that I recommend doing. Many people assume that since Iceland is a small country, they can just drive around it in a couple of days. If you only have up to 5 days and you drive around the ring road on your trip, you miss out on seeing and doing a lot. I usually recommend at least 7 days but 10 is great because you can fit in things like glacier walks, zipping around in a boat in a glacier lagoon, enjoying spas, going into the highlands and more. I recently had one consultation where the person is planning to drive around Iceland in 6 days. While that is tight, I helped them find a solution that makes is doable. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it’s great to have another driver with you so you can switch off when one person gets tired. Subscribe to My Email Newsletter Be the First To Know 						Sign up for my email newsletter and be the first to know when I roll out an easy way for you to make your own itinerary and plan your adventure in Iceland.  						Click Here					 3. Iceland’s Magnificent &amp; Disruptive Midnight Sun The midnight sun makes driving around during this time enjoyable because the sky is bright all day long. 24-hour daylight means we literally do not have dark evenings, which is so cool. I highly recommend having an eye mask. Many visitors struggle with sleeping even though they are in an accommodation with black out curtains. You might even need to bring melatonin because you can not buy it in Icelandic pharmacies. 4. How to Beat the Summer Crowds in Iceland   Reykjavík and the south coast will be the most crowded places during the peak summer months. One way to beat the crowds is to get there very early in the morning or super late at night. I know that doesn’t go over so well with people who want to sleep but that is the reality of the situation. I’m not saying to skip any of these places, but I am saying to leave space on your trip to explore lesser visited areas that are equally as nice. Some of those places include the Westman Islands, which is in the south but you have to take a ferry to get there, the North, West Iceland, the West fjords, East Iceland, and the highlands. Basically any other place than the South Iceland is less crowded. It’s not that no one will be in those places but it’s certainly not at the same scale regarding number of people in the south. 5. Venturing into the Highlands – huts, paths, driving If you had a chance to listen to my episode about my “Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Iceland’, then you probably are aware of F-roads and so on. If not, please check that out. For this episode, I want to talk a little about venturing into the highlands as a hiker. If you plan to do multi-day hikes and want to stay in a hut, I highly recommend booking those now. The tour companies usually snatch them up for their groups. I looked at the site today, and you can find it here. There are some days left in June, July and August but not many. If you want to hike in Iceland but are not sure which one to choose, here are some ideas. The Laugavegur hike is the most popular one. It takes most people 3-4 days. They either sleep in huts or tents. If you don’t want the hassle of booking your own hut and want a guide, there are plenty of tour companies offering services.  The Famous Laugavegur Trail Fimmvörðuháls The Askja Trail  6. The Best Place to See Puffins &amp; Whales During Summer in Iceland   If you are planning to visit the Westfjords during summer, I highly recommend going to see puffins in Látrabjarg. I have been to many different places to see them, including Borgarfjörður Eystri in the Eastfjords and the westman islands, and Látrabjarg is still the best place I have experienced them. Also, taking a boat out to see puffins is fun too. Seeing whales during this time of year is spectacular. I especially like to do it in Húsavík in North Iceland but there are great whale watching opportunities in Reykjavík as well. 7. Icelandic Summer Events Worth Attending The two of the biggest events of the summer are fun for everyone involved and they both happen during August. Reykjavík Pride –  Over the course of some days, several events are happening that help to raise awareness and better understanding about the LGBTQ+ community. The  biggest part of the festivities is the Pride Parade, which is awesome. Icelanders bring their family members of all ages to walk in the parade and sing along.  After the parade, there are concerts and lots of partying. Menningarnótt (Culture Night) –Downtown Reykjavík is shutdown and there is one big party going on. There are bands playing, lots of activities, food and fun happening all around. At the end of the night, there are fireworks!   8. What to Wear During Summer in Iceland Regardless of the season, layers is always key to staying warm and dry in Iceland. My free packing checklist for Iceland has a separate list for summer and winter. Even though the average high temperature does not normally go above 60 degrees Fahrenheit in Iceland, it can feel much warmer if it is not cloudy. Also, no cloud coverage means you might get burned, so make sure to pack your sunscreen and sun glasses.    Random Fact of the Episode Authorities plan to install cameras at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Starting from April 1st, they will test them for two months and then start collecting money to park there on June 1st. The price will be 1000 ISK for a regular passenger car. If you visit both Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell in the same 24-hour period, you get a 50% discount. Icelandic Word of the Episode Mikilvægur – essential Share this Post 										Facebook 										Email 										Twitter									 Let’s Be Social   						Youtube   						Instagram   						Tiktok   						Facebook 

<p>As I write this we are still full on in winter in Iceland, but I think it’s imperative to share some essential trip-planning tips for summer here. Summer is the high season and now that people are traveling more, I’m seeing that the number of people planning to come during this time is increasing dramatically.</p> <p>Some of you might not know but I do <a href="https://calendly.com/allthingsiceland/60min?month=2023-03" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">one-to-one video consultation calls</a> with people planning their trips to Iceland. They are one hour long and recently I have been chatting with people who are coming this summer. While the consultation calls are personalized according to what the person wants to do and see, I noticed there are some common things to know that could be helpful for everyone planning to visit during peak season.</p> <h2>What is Discussed in this Post</h2> <ol> <li><a href="#booknow" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">What to book immediately For Your</a> <a href="#booknow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Summer Trip to Iceland</a></li> <li><a href="#drive" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Travel Tips for Driving Around the Country</a></li> <li><a href="#midnight" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iceland’s Magnificent &amp; Disruptive Midnight Sun</a></li> <li><a href="#beat" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Beat Summer Crowds in Iceland</a></li> <li><a href="#highlands" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What to know if you plan to hike in the Icelandic Highlands</a></li> <li><a href="#puffins" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best Places to See Puffins and Whales in Iceland</a></li> <li><a href="#summer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iceland’s Summer Events Worth Attending</a></li> <li><a href="#wearsummer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What to Pack for a Summer Adventure in Iceland</a></li> </ol> <h2>Book an Iceland Trip Planning Call with Me</h2> <p>Before I jump into my tips, if you’re interested in getting personalized trip planning advice from me, you can book me for a consultation via <a href="https://calendly.com/allthingsiceland/60min?month=2023-03" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a>.</p> <p>I’m always delighted to hear at the end of the video call that the consultation has been so helpful. One review of this service I provide is from Riana D, who wrote,</p> <p>							“Our conversation with Jewells made a distant and unfamiliar place that was foreign to us, Iceland, seem familiar and practical. She helped design a trip that was exciting to me, an active young adult, and accessible to my travel partner- my retired mother! I particularly recommend taking advantage of her rental car discount code.”<br/> <br/> 														Riana D</p> <p>Thank you for the review, Riana D. The rental car code she is referring to is for <a href="https://www.gocarrental.is/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_YShBhAiEiwAMomsEJ8SsVjNaKMtpw1q0G7A6DWVB-Epc1YDd-x3aRSRpCucz1yiTreHERoCzv8QAvD_BwE" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Go Car Rental Iceland</a>. By using “Iceland10”, you can save 10% on you full rental car cost from a local and amazing car rental company. This especially comes in handy during summer because the cost of rental cars can double when compared to winter due to high demand.</p> <h2><a href="#booknow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1. Book These Things in Iceland Right Immediately</a></h2> <h4>* Accommodations</h4> <p>After you have gotten your flight tickets, it’s imperative that you get your accommodations settled right away. Some people are buying their flight tickets 6 months ahead of when they travel but are waiting to book accommodations. The issue with that is accommodations are filling up quickly.</p> <p>Before the start of 2023, 70% of accommodations in Iceland were booked for summertime (June – August). A lot of construction is happening here to build more accommodations, but it’s been hard to keep up with the demand of the number of travelers.</p> <p> </p> <h4>* Rental Car</h4> <p>While you have a little more leeway with your rental car, I recommend getting that squared away as well. Many travelers, like yourself, want the best bang for their buck and the earlier you get your rental car, the more choices you have.</p> <p>For instance, smaller 2WD cars cost less and are great for driving around the country during the summer, especially if you just plan to be on the ring road. Those are the first cars to get snagged. Also, the nicer 4×4 cars for the highlands get snagged too.</p> <h4>* Camping Sites</h4> <p>If you’re planning to use a camper van or to camp in a tent, there are some camp sites that sell out because they are so popular. Mainly, the ones in the south of the country. It’s good to map out what places you plan to visit and the campsites nearby so you can book them in advance as well.</p> <h4>* Certain Tours &amp; Experiences</h4> <p>Thankfully, there are not a lot of tours and experiences that you don’t have to book ahead of time but are a few that I recommend that you do.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bluelagoon.com/day-visit/the-blue-lagoon" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Blue Lagoon</a> during summer usually has no reservation available once you hit the summer months. It’s not to say that some people might pull out of their reservation and space opens but it’s better to err on the side of caution and book that, if you plan to go. Glacier walks and whale watching tours also seem to get booked up quickly too.</p> <p> </p> <h2>2. Driving Around Iceland Travel Tips</h2> <p>I plan to do a whole episode about driving times to popular attractions and worthwhile locations in Iceland, but I do want to give some tips about driving around the whole country. First, it takes about 17 hours if you want to drive just around the ring road of the country. That time is if you never stopped the car, which is obviously not something that I recommend doing.</p> <p>Many people assume that since Iceland is a small country, they can just drive around it in a couple of days. If you only have up to 5 days and you drive around the ring road on your trip, you miss out on seeing and doing a lot. I usually recommend at least 7 days but 10 is great because you can fit in things like glacier walks, zipping around in a boat in a glacier lagoon, enjoying spas, going into the highlands and more.</p> <p>I recently had one consultation where the person is planning to drive around Iceland in 6 days. While that is tight, I helped them find a solution that makes is doable. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it’s great to have another driver with you so you can switch off when one person gets tired.</p> <h2><a href="https://mailchi.mp/3e5aa7d0cdf9/allthingsiceland" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to My Email Newsletter</a></h2> <h2>Be the First To Know</h2> <p>						Sign up for my email newsletter and be the first to know when I roll out an easy way for you to make your own itinerary and plan your adventure in Iceland.<br/> <a href="https://mailchi.mp/3e5aa7d0cdf9/allthingsiceland" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Click Here					</a></p> <h2>3. Iceland’s Magnificent &amp; Disruptive Midnight Sun</h2> <p>The midnight sun makes driving around during this time enjoyable because the sky is bright all day long. 24-hour daylight means we literally do not have dark evenings, which is so cool. I highly recommend having an eye mask. Many visitors struggle with sleeping even though they are in an accommodation with black out curtains.</p> <p>You might even need to bring melatonin because you can not buy it in Icelandic pharmacies.</p> <h2>4. How to Beat the Summer Crowds in Iceland</h2> <p> </p> <p>Reykjavík and the south coast will be the most crowded places during the peak summer months. One way to beat the crowds is to get there very early in the morning or super late at night.</p> <p>I know that doesn’t go over so well with people who want to sleep but that is the reality of the situation.</p> <p>I’m not saying to skip any of these places, but I am saying to leave space on your trip to explore lesser visited areas that are equally as nice. Some of those places include the Westman Islands, which is in the south but you have to take a ferry to get there, the North, West Iceland, the West fjords, East Iceland, and the highlands.</p> <p>Basically any other place than the South Iceland is less crowded. It’s not that no one will be in those places but it’s certainly not at the same scale regarding number of people in the south.</p> <h2>5. Venturing into the Highlands – huts, paths, driving</h2> <p>If you had a chance to listen to my episode about my “<a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-car-rental-guide/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Iceland</a>’, then you probably are aware of F-roads and so on. If not, please check that out.</p> <p>For this episode, I want to talk a little about venturing into the highlands as a hiker. If you plan to do multi-day hikes and want to stay in a hut, I highly recommend booking those now. The tour companies usually snatch them up for their groups. I looked at the site today, and <a href="https://nat.is/book-your-mountain-huts/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">you can find it here</a>. There are some days left in June, July and August but not many.</p> <p>If you want to hike in Iceland but are not sure which one to choose, here are some ideas. The Laugavegur hike is the most popular one. It takes most people 3-4 days. They either sleep in huts or tents. If you don’t want the hassle of booking your own hut and want a guide, there are plenty of tour companies offering services.</p> <ul> <li>The Famous Laugavegur Trail</li> <li>Fimmvörðuháls</li> <li>The Askja Trail</li> </ul> <h2>6. The Best Place to See Puffins &amp; Whales During Summer in Iceland</h2> <p> </p> <p>If you are planning to visit the Westfjords during summer, I highly recommend going to see puffins in Látrabjarg. I have been to many different places to see them, including Borgarfjörður Eystri in the Eastfjords and the westman islands, and Látrabjarg is still the best place I have experienced them. Also, taking a boat out to see puffins is fun too.</p> <p>Seeing whales during this time of year is spectacular. I especially like to do it in Húsavík in North Iceland but there are great whale watching opportunities in Reykjavík as well.</p> <h2>7. Icelandic Summer Events Worth Attending</h2> <p>The two of the biggest events of the summer are fun for everyone involved and they both happen during August.</p> <p><a href="https://hinsegindagar.is/en/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Reykjavík Pride</a> –  Over the course of some days, several events are happening that help to raise awareness and better understanding about the LGBTQ+ community. The  biggest part of the festivities is the Pride Parade, which is awesome. Icelanders bring their family members of all ages to walk in the parade and sing along.  After the parade, there are concerts and lots of partying.</p> <p><a href="https://menningarnott.is/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Menningarnótt (Culture Night) –</a>Downtown Reykjavík is shutdown and there is one big party going on. There are bands playing, lots of activities, food and fun happening all around. At the end of the night, there are fireworks!</p> <p> </p> <h2>8. What to Wear During Summer in Iceland</h2> <p>Regardless of the season, layers is always key to staying warm and dry in Iceland. My <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-packing-checklist/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">free packing checklist for Iceland</a> has a separate list for summer and winter.</p> <p>Even though the average high temperature does not normally go above 60 degrees Fahrenheit in Iceland, it can feel much warmer if it is not cloudy. Also, no cloud coverage means you might get burned, so make sure to pack your sunscreen and sun glasses.</p> <p> <a href="https://allthingsiceland.com/iceland-packing-checklist/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> </a></p> <h2>Random Fact of the Episode</h2> <p>Authorities plan to install cameras at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Starting from April 1st, they will test them for two months and then start collecting money to park there on June 1st. The price will be 1000 ISK for a regular passenger car. If you visit both Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell in the same 24-hour period, you get a 50% discount.</p> <h2>Icelandic Word of the Episode</h2> <p><strong>Mikilvægur – essential</strong></p> <h2>Share this Post</h2> <p>										Facebook<br/> 										Email<br/> 										Twitter									</p> <h2>Let’s Be Social</h2> <p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AllThingsIceland/videos" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Youtube<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Instagram<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingsiceland?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Tiktok<br/> </a><br/> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> 						Facebook<br/> </a></p>

Essential Trip Planning Tips for Summer in Iceland

I have another fantastic interview to share with you this month. This time around it’s with Haraldur Thorleifsson or “Halli”, as he likes to be called. Halli was born and raised in Iceland and has achieved some incredible things, such as building a successful design company and selling it to Twitter. In 2022, he was named Person of the Year in Iceland, was awarded the Order of the Falcon (the highest honor one can receive in the country), and he has lived in many cool places around the world. You can learn more about his accolades on his personal website. Ramp Up Iceland – Increasing Wheelchair Accessibility in the Country While I find all those things to be interesting, what intrigued me the most is the work that Halli is doing to provide ramp access across Iceland for those who are in wheelchairs, have a stroller, or just find that a ramp is easier for them to walk up than stairs. The project is called Ramp Up Iceland or Römpum Upp Ísland. For updates about the project in English, click here. During the interview, Halli and I talk about all of this and the fact that he has muscular dystrophy. The CDC describes muscular dystrophy as,  				a group of muscle diseases caused by mutations in a person’s genes. Over time, muscle weakness decreases mobility, making everyday tasks difficult.”  Please note that this interview was conducted in Halli’s apartment in February 2023 so the sound quality will be different than what you hear right now. Also, this interview was recorded before Halli and Elon Musk had a huge argument on Twitter. During the back and forth, Elon embarrassed himself and eventually had to apologize to Halli. If you use Twitter, I highly recommend following Halli there. He is very active on that channel and shares quite a bit. Follow Halli on Twitter  Twitter 

<p>I have another fantastic interview to share with you this month. This time around it’s with Haraldur Thorleifsson or “Halli”, as he likes to be called. Halli was born and raised in Iceland and has achieved some incredible things, such as building a successful design company and selling it to <a href="https://twitter.com/iamharaldur?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</p> <p>In 2022, he was named Person of the Year in Iceland, was awarded the Order of the Falcon (the highest honor one can receive in the country), and he has lived in many cool places around the world. You can learn more about his accolades on <a href="https://www.haraldurthorleifsson.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">his personal website</a>.</p> <h2>Ramp Up Iceland – Increasing Wheelchair Accessibility in the Country</h2> <p>While I find all those things to be interesting, what intrigued me the most is the work that Halli is doing to provide ramp access across Iceland for those who are in wheelchairs, have a stroller, or just find that a ramp is easier for them to walk up than stairs. The project is called <a href="https://www.rampur.is/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ramp Up Iceland or Römpum Upp Ísland.</a></p> <p>For updates about the project in English, <a href="https://twitter.com/rampur?lang=en" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p> <p>During the interview, Halli and I talk about all of this and the fact that he has muscular dystrophy. The CDC describes muscular dystrophy as,</p> <blockquote><p> 				a group of muscle diseases caused by mutations in a person’s genes. Over time, muscle weakness decreases mobility, making everyday tasks difficult.”</p></blockquote> <p></p> <p>Please note that this interview was conducted in Halli’s apartment in February 2023 so the sound quality will be different than what you hear right now. Also, this interview was recorded before Halli and Elon Musk had a huge argument on Twitter. During the back and forth, Elon embarrassed himself and eventually had to apologize to Halli.</p> <p>If you use Twitter, I highly recommend following Halli there. He is very active on that channel and shares quite a bit.</p> <h2>Follow Halli on Twitter</h2> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/iamharaldur?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><br/> Twitter<br/> </a></p>

Wheelchair Accessibility in Iceland – Interview with Halli Thorleifsson

Discover Iceland’s language, history, culture, &amp; nature

Thank you for making this amazing podcast!! I love listening to it!

Thank you!!

One of my favorite podcasts, love her voice and interesting stories about this amazing country

Very interesting

All Things Iceland

Iceland is popular now but before 2010, hardly anyone came to see this spectacular place. It is fascinating now that you can’t  find a “must-see” destination list without this amazing country being featured. While there are many reasons why this small, island nation located in the Atlantic ocean is so popular, I am sharing my top six. I split this list into two parts to keep the episodes relatively short. Also, the list is in no particular order because I believe that each of the reasons that I share continue to have a major impact on the country’s popularity. Below are three out of six.  1. Nature in Iceland Craters from a volcano I can wax poetic about the diverse and beautiful landscape of Iceland all day.  It really is an enchanting place that will surprise and delight you.  I like to this of this country as a foreign planet because it is so unlike anywhere else on earth.  The dark, long winters are a wonderland of snow and ice. Powerful wind storms during this time of the year show you just how intense mother nature can be in this country; and, if you are lucky, you might even get a delightful Northern Lights show.  During the summer, everything springs to life and you can enjoy 24 hours of day light for a few months. This land of contrasts gives you ample opportunity to enjoy loads of activities in each season. Some of the most notable natural wonders in Iceland are bubbling hot springs, numerous glaciers, active volcanoes, stunning lava rock, black sand beaches, colorful  mountains that can be seen in the highlands, vibrant green moss as far as the eye can see, iceberg filled glacier lagoons, countless waterfalls, and remote wilderness. The power of Icelandic nature usually just affects people who live on the island or those that are visiting. However, in 2010, Eyjafjallajökull, an active volcano, erupted. Strong winds pushed the ash from the volcano  into the direction of major flight routes, which interrupted airline travel for people around the world. It is funny that this eruption is why kicked off the tourism boom. Iceland is popular now because people were so curious to know more about this tiny island that could disrupt the whole airline industry. Sheep in Iceland photo by Topich On the land and in the sea surrounding the island, live fascinating animals. If you drive on the ring road (the main one that goes around the country) during the summer, you will come across free roaming sheep and lamb. They outnumber the Icelandic population two to one! You are also likely to spot majestic Icelandic horses grazing or galloping in open fields. The cunning arctic fox can be found throughout Iceland, but the largest population of them can be found in the West fjords. If you are wiling to head into very remote regions in the east, you might spot a reindeer. About 370 bird species can be found in the country but their presence and whereabouts depends on their breeding habits and season.  The adorable Puffin is a popular bird that many people flock to see in Iceland (pun intended ;-)), but it is only possible to seem them between May and August, when they are breeding.   Luckily, you can see these fascinating birds in different parts of the country. I’ve had the privilege of viewing Puffins up close in the West Fjords. So cute! Puffin in Iceland – photo by pascal-mauerhofer In the vast sea surrounding the island, various whale species and seals have been spotted. Summer time is your best bet for whale watching, so just keep that in mind when you plan to visit. The country’s nature and animals have been popular among nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts circles for decades. Over the last few years, the internet, specifically blogs and social media have helped to spread the word about just how amazing nature is in the land of fire and ice. 2. Icelandic People are a Big Part of Why Iceland is Popular Icelandic people in 1927 Many people think of Iceland as the land of the Vikings. While invading foreign lands is a part of their history, Icelandic people are much different now. Their family-centered culture mixes modern European living with traditional holidays and celebrations. One of the most notable aspects of the people is their intriguing language. If you think it sounds strange, you are not alone. Icelandic people cherish their mother tongue and are working hard to preserve it.   If you are curious about the history of the Icelandic language, check out episode two of this podcast There is a rich culture of storytelling through written word and literary text. People the world over have heard about or read the famous sagas. There are many tales of hidden people, trolls and all sorts of mystical creatures that may exist. It seems as though creativity courses through Icelander’s veins. There is no doubt that Iceland is popular because of the artistic talent of its natives. If you are a fan of music, you might have heard of some famous Icelandic artists, such as Björk, Sigur Ros, Of Monsters &amp; Men and Emiliana Torrini. This is just a handful of Icelandic artists that are sharing their passion with the world.  Below is a great Spotify list of Icelandic singers for you to check out.    Along with producing great literature and music, as well as being the descendants of Vikings, Icelandic people have become popular for having one of the happiest and most peaceful countries in the world.  It’s not hard to see why so many people are interested in exploring this place. 3. The Men’s National Football Team Iceland men’s football team – photo by KSÍ While the men’s national football team are Icelandic people, I decided to talk about them separately as a reason for Iceland’s popularity boom. They have had a major impact on sparking people’s interest in the country. With about 3.5 billion fans in the world, football (soccer), is by far the most popular sport in the world. The team first garnered a lot of attention In 2014 when they made it to the qualifying rounds of the FIFA World Cup. That year, they reached the playoffs but ending up losing to Croatia.  The next time that this team stunned the world was in 2016. They made it to the UEFA European Championship. This was the first time they made it to a major tournament.  In a dazzling show of athleticism, grit and passion for the game, Iceland knocked out the Netherlands and England to make it to the quarter finals! No one expected them to make it that far. In fact, I think the Icelandic team was even stunned that they beat England! You might be familiar with the viking clap that the team does after a victory or just to celebrate.    They ended up losing to France in the quarter finals but they still walked away winners because the team had proven that they are competitors that must be taken seriously.   Fast forward to October 2017 and men’s team stunned the world again by qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals in Russia. They are the smallest nation ever, by population, to qualify for the world cup finals. Every time the men’s team plays in a major tournament, the interest in Iceland spikes on the internet.   Even though the men’s team are getting a lot of attention, the women’s team has made a historic win as well.  During a World Cup qualifying match in 2017, they amazed football fans by defeating the Germans. The German women’s team hadn’t lost  a match in the qualifiers since 1998! That historic and shocking win shows that the Icelandic women’s team are serious contenders in the sport. Making historic wins in football matches has made Iceland a darling of the sport around the world. Win or lose in June, the country wins because people, more than ever, want to learn about and visit this fascinating place. There is not doubt that Iceland is popular because of their football teams determination to show that they can play on the world stage with larger countries. The Icelandic Word of the Episode The Icelandic word of the episode is Eyjafjallajökull, which is the name of the volcano that I wrote about at the beginning of these show notes. Listen to the podcast at 13:18 to hear how it is pronounced. I also shared a random fact about Iceland during this episode at 13:00. Check it out. If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes, Google Play or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review. These three reason gave you a taste of how Iceland is popular. However, there were other factors that helped. Make sure to check out part 2 of this episode, to learn even more about how the popularity of the country is growing. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega! Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!

<p>Iceland is popular now but before 2010, hardly anyone came to see this spectacular place. It is fascinating now that you can’t  find a “must-see” destination list without this amazing country being featured. While there are many reasons why this small, island nation located in the Atlantic ocean is so popular, I am sharing my top six. I split this list into two parts to keep the episodes relatively short. Also, the list is in no particular order because I believe that each of the reasons that I share continue to have a major impact on the country’s popularity. Below are three out of six.</p> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>1. Nature in Iceland</strong></h3> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/craters-from-active-volcanoes-in-Iceland.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Craters from a volcano</p> <p>I can wax poetic about the diverse and beautiful landscape of Iceland all day.  It really is an enchanting place that will surprise and delight you.  I like to this of this country as a foreign planet because it is so unlike anywhere else on earth.  The dark, long winters are a wonderland of snow and ice. Powerful wind storms during this time of the year show you just how intense mother nature can be in this country; and, if you are lucky, you might even get a delightful Northern Lights show.  During the summer, everything springs to life and you can enjoy 24 hours of day light for a few months. This land of contrasts gives you ample opportunity to enjoy loads of activities in each season.</p> <p>Some of the most notable natural wonders in Iceland are bubbling hot springs, numerous glaciers, active volcanoes, stunning lava rock, black sand beaches, colorful  mountains that can be seen in the highlands, vibrant green moss as far as the eye can see, iceberg filled glacier lagoons, countless waterfalls, and remote wilderness. The power of Icelandic nature usually just affects people who live on the island or those that are visiting. However, in 2010, Eyjafjallajökull, an active volcano, erupted. Strong winds pushed the ash from the volcano  into the direction of major flight routes, which interrupted airline travel for people around the world. It is funny that this eruption is why kicked off the tourism boom. Iceland is popular now because people were so curious to know more about this tiny island that could disrupt the whole airline industry.</p> <a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sheep-in-Iceland-photo-by-topich-unsplash.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Sheep in Iceland photo by Topich</p> <p>On the land and in the sea surrounding the island, live fascinating animals. If you drive on the ring road (the main one that goes around the country) during the summer, you will come across free roaming sheep and lamb. They outnumber the Icelandic population two to one! You are also likely to spot majestic Icelandic horses grazing or galloping in open fields. The cunning <a href="http://www.melrakki.is/arctic_fox/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">arctic fox</a> can be found throughout Iceland, but the largest population of them can be found in the West fjords. If you are wiling to head into very remote regions in the east, you might spot a reindeer.</p> <p>About <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_Iceland" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">370 bird species</a> can be found in the country but their presence and whereabouts depends on their breeding habits and season.  The adorable Puffin is a popular bird that many people flock to see in Iceland (pun intended ;-)), but it is only possible to seem them between May and August, when they are breeding.   Luckily, you can <a href="https://www.beckythetraveller.com/seeing-puffins-in-iceland/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">see these fascinating birds in different parts of the country</a>. I’ve had the privilege of viewing Puffins up close in the West Fjords. So cute!</p> <a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Puffin-in-Iceland-photo-by-pascal-mauerhofer-unsplash.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Puffin in Iceland – photo by pascal-mauerhofer</p> <p>In the vast sea surrounding the island, various whale species and seals have been spotted. Summer time is your best bet for whale watching, so just keep that in mind when you plan to visit.</p> <p>The country’s nature and animals have been popular among nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts circles for decades. Over the last few years, the internet, specifically blogs and social media have helped to spread the word about just how amazing nature is in the land of fire and ice.</p> <h3><strong>2. Icelandic People are a Big Part of Why Iceland is Popular</strong></h3> <a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Icelandic-people-in-1927-hornstrandir.buskerbrain.com_.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Icelandic people in 1927</p> <p>Many people think of Iceland as the land of the Vikings. While invading foreign lands is a part of their history, Icelandic people are much different now. Their family-centered culture mixes modern European living with traditional holidays and celebrations. One of the most notable aspects of the people is their intriguing language. If you think it sounds strange, you are not alone. Icelandic people cherish their mother tongue and are working hard to preserve it.   If you are curious about the history of the Icelandic language, <a href="http://www.allthingsiceland.com/icelandic-language-history/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">check out episode two of this podcast</a></p> <p>There is a rich culture of storytelling through written word and literary text. People the world over have heard about or read the famous sagas. There are many tales of hidden people, trolls and all sorts of mystical creatures that may exist.</p> <p>It seems as though creativity courses through Icelander’s veins. There is no doubt that Iceland is popular because of the artistic talent of its natives. If you are a fan of music, you might have heard of some famous Icelandic artists, such as Björk, Sigur Ros, Of Monsters &amp; Men and Emiliana Torrini. This is just a handful of Icelandic artists that are sharing their passion with the world.  Below is a great Spotify list of Icelandic singers for you to check out.</p> <p><br/> <br/> </p> <p>Along with producing great literature and music, as well as being the descendants of Vikings, Icelandic people have become popular for having one of the <a href="http://icelandreview.com/news/2017/03/20/icelanders-are-worlds-third-happiest" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">happiest</a> and <a href="http://visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/http://visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">most peaceful</a> countries in the world.  It’s not hard to see why so many people are interested in exploring this place.</p> <h3><strong>3. The Men’s National Football Team</strong></h3> <a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Iceland-mens-football-team-photo-by-KSÍFacebook-on-Iceland-Review.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Iceland men’s football team – photo by KSÍ</p> <p>While the men’s national football team are Icelandic people, I decided to talk about them separately as a reason for Iceland’s popularity boom. They have had a major impact on sparking people’s interest in the country.</p> <p>With about 3.5 billion fans in the world, football (soccer), is by far the most popular sport in the world. The team first garnered a lot of attention In 2014 when they made it to the qualifying rounds of the FIFA World Cup. That year, they reached the playoffs but ending up losing to Croatia. </p> <p>The next time that this team stunned the world was in 2016. They made it to the UEFA European Championship. This was the first time they made it to a major tournament.  In a dazzling show of athleticism, grit and passion for the game, Iceland knocked out the Netherlands and England to make it to the quarter finals! No one expected them to make it that far. In fact, I think the Icelandic team was even stunned that they beat England! You might be familiar with the viking clap that the team does after a victory or just to celebrate. </p> <p> </p> <p>They ended up losing to France in the quarter finals but they still walked away winners because the team had proven that they are competitors that must be taken seriously.  </p> <p>Fast forward to October 2017 and men’s team stunned the world again by qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals in Russia. They are the smallest nation ever, by population, to qualify for the world cup finals. Every time the men’s team plays in a major tournament, the interest in Iceland spikes on the internet.  </p> <p>Even though the men’s team are getting a lot of attention, the women’s team has made a historic win as well.  During a World Cup qualifying match in 2017, they amazed football fans by defeating the Germans. The German women’s team hadn’t lost  a match in the qualifiers since 1998! That historic and shocking win shows that the Icelandic women’s team are serious contenders in the sport.</p> <p>Making historic wins in football matches has made Iceland a darling of the sport around the world. Win or lose in June, the country wins because people, more than ever, want to learn about and visit this fascinating place. There is not doubt that Iceland is popular because of their football teams determination to show that they can play on the world stage with larger countries.</p> <h3><strong>The Icelandic Word of the Episode</strong></h3> <p>The Icelandic word of the episode is <b>Eyjafjallajökull</b>, which is the name of the volcano that I wrote about at the beginning of these show notes. Listen to the podcast at 13:18 to hear how it is pronounced. I also shared a random fact about Iceland during this episode at 13:00. Check it out.</p> <p>If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes, Google Play or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review.</p> <p>These three reason gave you a taste of how Iceland is popular. However, there were other factors that helped. Make sure to check out part 2 of this episode, to learn even more about how the popularity of the country is growing.</p> <p><strong>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega!</strong></p> <p>Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!</p>

6 Reasons Why Iceland is Popular – Part 1 – EP3

Besides the Reykjavík area, the South Coast of Iceland is by far the most popular part of the country that is featured on social media, blogs and in one of Justin Bieber’s music videos. People from around the world are flocking there in droves. According to  the Icelandic Tourism Board’s statistics for 2017, during the winter 55% of the travelers that come to Iceland traveled to the South and in the summer, a whopping 71% of travelers to the country went to that region. It is without a doubt a very popular place but it might make one wonder, “Is it really worth the hype?”  Before answering that, let’s start off with what you can see and do along the South  Coast of Iceland. Because this area does have a variety of attractions and stunning nature, I have split everything up into three categories. I will start off with talking about historical sites and the most popular places to visit. Following that, will be the type of wildlife and nature you can find in this region. Lastly, I will go over the fun activities that are available for you to do along the South Coast. Historical Sites &amp; Most Popular Places to Visit 1. Þingvellir National Park Þingvellir Þingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is popular for many reasons. The first and most important reason  is due to its historical significance in Icelandic society. The general assembly for Parliament, or Alþing in Icelandic, was established here around 930 and continued to meet there until 1798. The parliament members would discuss and decide on laws, as well as pass judgements on any matters brought before them. The Logberg or Law Rock is where public speaking events took place. The unique geology in the area created a natural amphitheater for such speaking events. Along with learning about history and being able to see where Icelandic people’s ancestors used to meet,  you can witness the Mid-Atlantic ridge. This ridge is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly separating at a rate of two centimeters per year. The separation has created a rift valley, which means that you can walk between two continents. 2. Churches Along the South Coast  Even though less than 10% of Icelandic population goes to church each month, there are many churches in the country. In fact, there are 19 churches that can be found along the South Coast of Iceland, if you exclude the ones in the Reykjavík area. Many of these churches have a similar style that makes them easy to spot. Just look for a steeple with a cross on top that is attached to a large room that is used for the congregation to meet in. On a map, you will always know how to find a church because the word kirkja will be at the end. Kirkja means church. Some of the churches that get a decent amount of visitors are the ones in Selfoss, Þingvellir, Strandar and Höfn.  The church in Höfn is especially interesting because it has a turf roof and was built in 1884!  See the full list of churches along the South Coast of Iceland here. Church with a turf roof 3. Museums &amp; Cultural Centers Icelandic people are very proud of their culture and the nature that surrounds them. In total, there are 15 museums and cultural centers the region. My favorite is the LAVA center, which is a very cool interactive museum about Icelandic volcanoes. It is for all ages and I have been there twice. You can find museums and cultural centers along the South Coast of Iceland that feature exhibitions on the Icelandic sagas, art and even Bobby Fischer. 4. The Golden Circle This is one of the most popular routes that many tourists that visit the South Coast of Iceland take. It is made up of Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot spring and Þingvellir National Park. This trifecta gives you a taste of Iceland magnificent natural wonders. 5. Vík Vík is a tiny town of less than 300 people in the southernmost village in Iceland. It attracts  41.5% of travelers in the winter and 56.6% of travelers in the summer. My random fact about Iceland shares some fascinating information about this town’s precarious location. Vík 6. Sólheimajökull Glacier This is the closest glacier to Reykjavík that you can go on. It is about 2 and a half hours from Reykjavík one way. 7. Vatnajökull National Park Vatnajökull National park is about 4-5 hours away from Reykjavík.  It is the largest glacial ice cap in Europe!    Svínafellsjökull is a popular glacier can be found in this national park Skaftafell area used to be a national park before it was absorbed into Vatnajökull’s. There are great hikes there. This is where you can find the gorgeous Svartifoss waterfall.    Skaftafell 8. Landmannalaugar The third largest geothermal area in the world. You can hike between bubbling hot springs and take a dip in one as well. 9. Þórsmörk Þórs Valley, a lush green area in the highlands, is absolutely magnificent 10.Reykjadalur Reykjadalur literally translates to smoky valley. If you can’t experience Landmannalaugar’s hot spring area, I recommend taking a hike here. It is not a difficult hike and you can take a dip in a hot spring. Nature &amp; Wildlife 1. Waterfalls  Some of the most famous waterfalls are Seljalandsfoss, Skógarfoss and Svartifoss.  Seljalandsfoss 2. Glaciers – There are 10 glaciers that can be found in the south I have already mentioned Sólheimajökull, Svínafellsjökull, Vatnajökull  but there are 7 more glaciers along the South Coast of Iceland. An infamous one is Eyjafjallajökull. Check out the full list in the show notes 3. Glacier lagoons  Jökusárlón and Fjallsárlón  4. Black sand beaches Black sand beach in Vík 5. Volcanoes 6. The Highlands 7. Hot springs 8. Mud pools 9. Lava Caves 10. Icelandic Horses 11. Lamb and sheep strolling along the roads and behind fences, when they want 12. Birds Activities To Do Along the South Coast of Iceland 1. Glacier Walks &amp; Ice Climbing 2. Glacier Lagoon Boat Rides 3. Hiking or trekking 4. Boat tours 5. Caving Lava Cave 6. Diving 7. Geothermal baths 8. Horseback riding 9. Whale watching 10. Snowmobiling 11. Northern Lights 12. Jeep Tours  Just know that this is not an exhaustive list of popular places, activities and nature,  but it is certainly a good start if you plan to visit the South Coast of Iceland. Back to the question that I asked in the beginning of the episode, “Is the South Coast worth the hype?” My overall answer is yes. However, I feel that it has become so popular that it is hard to enjoy being there due the massive amount of people. My advice is to arrive early in the day or late at night, specifically during the summer. You can avoid most of the crowds and possibly capture some beautiful photos of these stunning places. Regarding the activities, you have to do the majority of them with an experienced guide but you can avoid feeling like you are being herded around like cattle by booking with a company that specializes in small group experiences. Icelandic Word of the Episode  The Icelandic word of this episode is Þingvellir. Listen to the podcast at _________ to hear how it is pronounced and what it means. I also shared a random fact about Vík during this episode at ___________. Check it out. If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega! Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!

<p>Besides the Reykjavík area, the South Coast of Iceland is by far the most popular part of the country that is featured on social media, blogs and in one of Justin Bieber’s music videos. People from around the world are flocking there in droves. According to  the <a href="https://www.ferdamalastofa.is/static/files/ferdamalastofa/Frettamyndir/2017/juli/tourism-in-iceland-2017-9.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Icelandic Tourism Board’s </a>statistics for 2017, during the winter 55% of the travelers that come to Iceland traveled to the South and in the summer, a whopping 71% of travelers to the country went to that region. It is without a doubt a very popular place but it might make one wonder, “Is it really worth the hype?”</p> <p></p> <p>Before answering that, let’s start off with what you can see and do along the South  Coast of Iceland. Because this area does have a variety of attractions and stunning nature, I have split everything up into three categories. I will start off with talking about historical sites and the most popular places to visit. Following that, will be the type of wildlife and nature you can find in this region. Lastly, I will go over the fun activities that are available for you to do along the South Coast.</p> <h3><strong>Historical Sites &amp; Most Popular Places to Visit</strong></h3> <h5>1. Þingvellir National Park</h5> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Thingvellir-National-Park-in-Iceland.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Þingvellir</p> <p><a href="http://icelandmag.is/article/9-essential-things-know-about-thingvellir-national-park" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Þingvellir</a> is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is popular for many reasons. The first and most important reason  is due to its historical significance in Icelandic society. The general assembly for Parliament, or Alþing in Icelandic, was established here around 930 and continued to meet there until 1798. The parliament members would discuss and decide on laws, as well as pass judgements on any matters brought before them.</p> <p>The Logberg or Law Rock is where public speaking events took place. The unique geology in the area created a natural amphitheater for such speaking events. Along with learning about history and being able to see where Icelandic people’s ancestors used to meet,  you can witness the Mid-Atlantic ridge. This ridge is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly separating at a rate of two centimeters per year. The separation has created a rift valley, which means that you can walk between two continents.</p> <p>2. Churches Along the South Coast<b><br/> </b></p> <p>Even though less than 10% of Icelandic population goes to church each month, there are many churches in the country. In fact, there are 19 churches that can be found along the South Coast of Iceland, if you exclude the ones in the Reykjavík area. Many of these churches have a similar style that makes them easy to spot. Just look for a steeple with a cross on top that is attached to a large room that is used for the congregation to meet in.</p> <p>On a map, you will always know how to find a church because the word kirkja will be at the end. Kirkja means church. Some of the churches that get a decent amount of visitors are the ones in Selfoss, Þingvellir, Strandar and Höfn.  The church in Höfn is especially interesting because it has a turf roof and was built in 1884!  <a href="https://www.nat.is/category/about-iceland/history-and-traditions/churches-practical-information/churches-in-south-iceland/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">See the full list of churches along the South Coast of Iceland here.</a></p> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/turf-church-in-Höfn-in-iceland.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Church with a turf roof</p> <h5>3. Museums &amp; Cultural Centers</h5> <p>Icelandic people are very proud of their culture and the nature that surrounds them. <a href="https://www.south.is/en/interesting-museums" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">In total, there are 15 museums and cultural centers the region</a>. My favorite is the <a href="https://lavacentre.is/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">LAVA center</a>, which is a very cool interactive museum about Icelandic volcanoes. It is for all ages and I have been there twice. You can find museums and cultural centers along the South Coast of Iceland that feature exhibitions on the Icelandic sagas, art and even Bobby Fischer.</p> <h5>4. The Golden Circle</h5> <p>This is one of the most popular routes that many tourists that visit the South Coast of Iceland take. It is made up of Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot spring and Þingvellir National Park. This trifecta gives you a taste of Iceland magnificent natural wonders.</p> <h5>5. Vík</h5> <p>Vík is a tiny town of less than 300 people in the southernmost village in Iceland. It attracts  41.5% of travelers in the winter and 56.6% of travelers in the summer. My random fact about Iceland shares some fascinating information about this town’s precarious location.</p> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Small-town-of-Vik-along-the-South-Coast-of-Iceland.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Vík</p> <h5>6. Sólheimajökull Glacier</h5> <p>This is the closest glacier to Reykjavík that you can go on. It is about 2 and a half hours from Reykjavík one way.</p> <h5>7. Vatnajökull National Park</h5> <p>Vatnajökull National park is about 4-5 hours away from Reykjavík.  It is the largest glacial ice cap in Europe!</p> <ul> <li> <ul> <li>Svínafellsjökull is a popular glacier can be found in this national park</li> <li>Skaftafell area used to be a national park before it was absorbed into Vatnajökull’s. There are great hikes there. This is where you can find the gorgeous Svartifoss waterfall.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Skaftafell-in-the-south-coast-of-Iceland.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Skaftafell</p> <h5>8. Landmannalaugar</h5> <p>The third largest geothermal area in the world. You can hike between bubbling hot springs and take a dip in one as well.</p> <h5>9. Þórsmörk</h5> <p>Þórs Valley, a lush green area in the highlands, is absolutely magnificent</p> <h5>10.Reykjadalur</h5> <p>Reykjadalur literally translates to smoky valley. If you can’t experience Landmannalaugar’s hot spring area, I recommend taking a hike here. It is not a difficult hike and you can take a dip in a hot spring.</p> <h3>Nature &amp; Wildlife</h3> <h5>1. Waterfalls</h5> <ul> <li>Some of the most famous waterfalls are Seljalandsfoss, Skógarfoss and Svartifoss.</li> </ul> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/seljalandsfoss-waterfall-along-the-south-coast-of-Iceland.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Seljalandsfoss</p> <h5>2. Glaciers – There are <a href="https://www.south.is/en/glacier-access" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">10 glaciers that can be found in the south</a></h5> <p>I have already mentioned Sólheimajökull, Svínafellsjökull, Vatnajökull  but there are 7 more glaciers along the South Coast of Iceland. An infamous one is Eyjafjallajökull. Check out the full list in the show notes</p> <h5>3. Glacier lagoons</h5> <ul> <li>Jökusárlón and Fjallsárlón</li> </ul> <h5>4. Black sand beaches</h5> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Black-sand-beach-in-Vík-photo-by-Jewells-Chambers.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Black sand beach in Vík</p> <h5>5. Volcanoes</h5> <h5>6. The Highlands</h5> <h5>7. Hot springs</h5> <h5>8. Mud pools</h5> <h5>9. Lava Caves</h5> <h5>10. Icelandic Horses</h5> <h5>11. Lamb and sheep strolling along the roads and behind fences, when they want</h5> <h5>12. <a href="https://www.south.is/en/moya/toy/index/place/birds-of-south-iceland" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Birds</a></h5> <h3>Activities To Do Along the South Coast of Iceland</h3> <h5>1. Glacier Walks &amp; Ice Climbing</h5> <h5>2. Glacier Lagoon Boat Rides</h5> <h5>3. Hiking or trekking</h5> <h5>4. Boat tours</h5> <h5>5. Caving</h5> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lava-cave-along-the-south-coast-of-Iceland-photo-by-Jewells-Chambers.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Lava Cave</p> <h5>6. Diving</h5> <h5>7. Geothermal baths</h5> <h5>8. Horseback riding</h5> <h5>9. Whale watching</h5> <h5>10. Snowmobiling</h5> <h5>11. Northern Lights</h5> <h5>12. Jeep Tours</h5> <p><a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Super-Jeep-tour-in-Iceland-photo-by-Jewells-Chambers.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>Just know that this is not an exhaustive list of popular places, activities and nature,  but it is certainly a good start if you plan to visit the South Coast of Iceland.</p> <p>Back to the question that I asked in the beginning of the episode, “Is the South Coast worth the hype?” My overall answer is yes. However, I feel that it has become so popular that it is hard to enjoy being there due the massive amount of people. My advice is to arrive early in the day or late at night, specifically during the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/summer-in-iceland-ep6/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">summer</a>. You can avoid most of the crowds and possibly capture some beautiful photos of these stunning places. Regarding the activities, you have to do the majority of them with an experienced guide but you can avoid feeling like you are being herded around like cattle by booking with a company that specializes in small group experiences.</p> <h3><b>Icelandic Word of the Episode<br/> </b></h3> <p>The Icelandic word of this episode is <strong>Þingvellir. </strong>Listen to the podcast at _________ to hear how it is pronounced and what it means. I also shared a random fact about Vík during this episode at <strong>___________</strong>. Check it out.</p> <p>If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review.</p> <p><strong>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega!</strong></p> <p>Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!</p>

Is the South Coast of Iceland Worth Visiting? Ep.8

If you are planning a trip to Iceland at any time in the future, this episode of the All Things Iceland podcast will arm you with useful facts and tips that will make your preparation much smoother.  Prepare for Icelandic Weather I’m going to start off with one of the most important things to keep in mind when you travel to Iceland – the weather! Regardless of the season, the weather in Iceland can vary wildly. In one minute, it can be raining and windy and in the next, the sun can be shining and it is a lot less windy. We’ve even had snow and hail during the summer. While snow and hail are rare in the summer, it is best to know that rain and strong winds are likely to show up during your trip.  Vedur.is is the weather website that most Icelandic people look at when they want to know what to expect weather wise.  What to pack for Summer &amp; Winter in Iceland Regardless of the season in Iceland, you will need to pack layers. The average temperature in Reykjavík during winter is freezing (32 degrees F or 0 degrees celsius), but it can be much colder in other parts of the country, especially north. During the summer, the temperature can range from 10 – 13 degrees Celsius or 50 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Check out my podcast episodes about summer and winter for more information. As I mentioned in the weather portion of this episode, one thing that is best to be prepared for is the varying weather conditions. The list I am about to share is in no way all you should pack. These are items I feel that you should for sure pack. Clothes like underwear and toiletries are not mentioned because I assume you will have some. If you don’t, no judgement on my end. For summer, definitely pack the following:  waterproof or water resistant jacket or coat with a hood- Goretex is your friend waterproof or water resistant pants Sweater – preferably a breathable material made from synthetic or natural fibers, like wool. If you are hiking, don’t wear cotton. It holds onto the moisture from your body and can make you feel wet and cold. No jeans while hiking either, but you can wear them around town or if you will mostly be in the car A light shirt for underneath your sweater. If it gets quite warm, relatively warm for Iceland, it will be nice to have this layer Sun protection in the form of a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. The sun is very strong here and you can get burned or tan quickly. Hiking boots with good grip, Vibram soles do the trick – this is especially needed for hiking, walking on uneven ground (which is everywhere outside of the city) and for ensuring that you won’t slip on wet surfaces. You can, of course, bring regular shoes or sneakers to wear in the city, but if you want to explore outside of urban areas, hiking boots is a must. Ones that go over the ankle are especially good for glacier walks and supporting your ankles on uneven or sloped terrain. A swimsuit Gloves A buff, which can be used as a scarf, hat or to pull your hair back Reusable water bottle. Icelandic water is delicious and you can drink it right out of the tap or from fresh water streams. You do not have to buy bottled water here, so reduce your use of plastic and save yourself some money by bringing a reusable bottle Your camera – smartphones work just fine. The landscapes are gorgeous here.   For winter, definitely pack the following:  A warm winter coat with a good water resistant layer Sweater – preferably a breathable material made from synthetic or natural fibers, like wool. Similar to hiking, if you are going on a glacier, don’t wear cotton, including jeans. It holds onto the moisture from your body and can make you feel wet and cold. A warm hat, scarf and gloves (you can include warmers to put in your gloves if your hands get very cold) Winter boots with good grip in the sole Warm socks Long johns or long underwear Microspikes are optional but many paths in the city and out of town have a layer of ice on them Sunglasses – when the sun is out, it can be bright, so protect your eyes A swimsuit Reusable water bottle – maybe one that can hold hot or cold liquids Your camera  Do not pack the following in any season  An umbrella – the wind can get very strong and it can easily break umbrellas.  Iceland’s International Airport Location &amp; Getting into Reykjavík The international airport is in Keflavík, which is about 45 minutes from downtown Reykjavík by car. Most people assume that the airport is closer, but unfortunately it is not. It is helpful to plan your transportation ahead of time. Taxis are ridiculously expensive. It could cost you $200 one way if you took a taxi into town. Uber does not exist here and the ride sharing culture hasn’t expanded enough yet in the country for you to rely on it. Hopefully, that changes in the future. Also, there are no trains in Iceland, but I have heard plans of building one in the future. The most popular option that is decently priced is taking the FlyBus from the airport. On their website you can choose where you want to be dropped off, and you can book your ticket in advance. In the summer,  the bus runs every 30 minutes from the airport and probably around every hour in the winter. They have WiFi on the bus, the seats are comfy and you don’t have to worry about driving.  If you are bold and want to avoid paying anything, you can hitchhike. Iceland is a very hitchhiker friendly place. However, you run of the risk of not being picked up and of being caught out in terrible weather. On a side note, according to Google Maps, walking to downtown Reykjavík from the airport would take you almost 19 hours, just in case you were wondering. Also, there are no sidewalks on that road and walking on the moss could damage it forever. Many people rent a car, which is not a cheap option, but it gives you the flexibility to see Iceland at your own pace. One obstacle is that you will have to find parking downtown when you arrive. Certain times of day in specific areas are better than others for parking spots. I have seen many people cycle along the side of the road. If you are that type person, go for it, but please be careful. Please wear reflective gear and have your waterproof clothing easily accessible Getting Around  &amp; Distances to Places Reykjavík is a very walkable city and you do not need a car to get from one place to the next. When you want to go outside of the city, you can rent a car or take a bus. The bus can be with a guided tour or a bus run by a private operator like, Reykjavík Excursions. Also, there are plenty of city bus stops in Reykjavík and the Reykjavík area, which are the surrounding neighborhoods. You can use the strætó app to pay for rides on your phone. One way is 450 ISK. The bus drivers will accept cash but it must be exact change and in Icelandic money. As mentioned earlier, you can take a tour to places or buy a ticket for the buses that go out of town. There is a domestic airport that has flights to different regions of the country. Additionally, there are boats, such as ferries, but it is less common for many tourists to take a boat, unless they are on a tour. By car  Below, I have listed the driving distances one way to popular places and the time it takes to get there, which will come in handy if you plan to drive. All of these distances are according to Google Maps and the starting point is from Reykjavík. During the winter, you should allow for more time if the road conditions are not the best. For instance:  Blue Lagoon is very close to Keflavík airport but from Reykjavík, you will have to drive 49 KM and that will take about 45 minutes Þingvellir, part of the Golden Circle, is 47.4 km, which is 46 minutes of driving Vík, the popular small town in the south of Iceland is 187 km from downtown and will take 2 and a half hours to reach by car Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park is 326 KM and will take a little over 4 hours to reach Sólheimajökull glacier – 165 km, which takes 2 hours and 8 minutes by car Jökusárlon &amp; Diamond Beach – 380 km is approximately 4 hours and 47 minutes of driving Gullfoss – is 116 km and takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes Geysir – approximately 106 km away and is 1 hour and 30 minutes in a car Skógafoss – 156 km; 2 hours &amp; 2 minutes of driving Seljalandfoss – 128 km; 1 hour &amp; 40 minutes Hveragerði – 46.6 km; 40 minutes by car Reynisfjara black sand beach – 188 km; 2 hours &amp; 25 minutes Selfoss – 58.7 km; 49 minutes Þórsmörk –  158 km; 2 hours  &amp; 38 minutes (river crossing necessary) Kerið crater – 68.8 km; 54 minutes Góðafoss – 116 km; 1 hour &amp; 37 minutes Snæfellsnes Peninsula – 157 km; 2 hours &amp; 6 minutes Mývatn – 482 km; 5 hours &amp; 51 minutes West Fjords – 454 km; 5 hours &amp; 36 minutes   The Rules of the Road in Iceland If you plan to drive in Iceland, it is worth it to learn some of the rules of the road. There are little to no traffic lights once you get out of the city, but there are a lot of roundabouts.  Roundabouts  This might seem strange to some people but in a two lane roundabout the inner circle has the right of way. So, if a person in the inner circle wants to leave, they put on  their signal and the person next to them in the outer circle must stop to let them out.    Any car in the roundabout has priority over cars that want to enter the roundabout  Strict Rules  When you get out of town, there are long stretches of road here, which make it very easy to speed. Try to not let your foot get too heavy on the pedal. Please do not drive off the road, it can damage the vegetation and is forbidden in Iceland. Talking on your phone or texting while driving can get you a huge fine. More enforcement regarding this has been implemented more strongly as of recently here, so use hands free devices.  Things to Keep in Mind  The ring road, also known as route 1, goes all around the country, It is very easy to follow. There are, of course, other roads you can take to explore fascinating places, such as the Westfjords, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, East Iceland and so on.   Always check the weather forecast before heading out. If it is recommended that you don’t drive, follow that suggestion because the conditions can get extremely dangerous very quickly. The rescue teams in Iceland are volunteers. You would potentially be risking other people’s lives who work for free if you get stuck because you didn’t listen to the recommendations to stay off the road. You can find automatic and manual cars to rent, but manuals can sometimes be cheaper because they are more readily available  F Roads &amp; Crossing Rivers  F roads in Iceland, literally have an F in front of the number on the map for that road. They are for 4×4 vehicles and are very rough because they are gravel. Even in the summer, these roads can cause issues, especially if there is a storm. If you do plan to drive on one, make sure to check the weather and if the road is even open. It is also advised that people travel together in two or more cars on these roads, if possible. Crossing a river in a car can be extremely dangerous if you don’t know how and if you do not have a car that is equipped for it.  Money in Iceland – Cash vs Cards  Most, if not all, places in Iceland will accept cash, if it is in Icelandic Krona. You can exchange money at the airport or get ISK from an ATM. However, credit and debit cards are the preferred payment methods. It is fast, easy and you don’t have to worry about carry around too much paper. I recommend using a credit card because you can more easily dispute charges that you don’t recognize. I don’t think it is common for unwanted charges to show up. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. The krona fluctuates wildly. As I am typing this, 1 USD is about  122 ISK. While that is a favorable exchange rate for people with the dollar, things will still be expensive. Communicating in Iceland  I dedicated the next episode to useful Icelandic words and phrase for visitors to Iceland. I recommend checking that out next week. As mentioned in that episode, English is widely spoken in Iceland, so it won’t be a problem if you don’t understand or speak Icelandic. However, Icelandic people seem to enjoy it when people try to speak to them in their native tongue. I encourage you to give it a try and so how it goes. The Cost of Things, Sticker Shock &amp; Tipping Iceland is by no means a cheap place to visit. Food, alcohol, gas, clothing and pretty much everything, except for water from a natural source or tap and electricity, are very expensive. Check out this website that gives you an idea of how much things cost here. It is not necessary or expected that you will tip in Iceland. However, if you enjoyed the service that you received, you can certainly leave a tip. The alcohol stores in Iceland are government run. As I mentioned, alcohol is heavily taxed here. One way to save a little bit, if you plan to drink, is to buy your alcohol in the duty free area in Keflavík airport. If you want to save a bit while drinking out at bars, you can use the app called Appy Hour to see what happy hour specials are happening downtown.  If you will have a kitchen available to you during your trip, you can save money by buying food in the grocery store and cooking on your own. However, I do suggest going out to eat some things, specifically, the top 10 Icelandic foods to try that I listed in last week’s episode. When Should You Visit Iceland?  Honestly, every time of the year in Iceland is wonderful. Summer has long, bright days, winter is perfect for seeing the Northern Lights, during  Fall the changing colors are magnificent and Spring, while interesting, is not your typical idea of spring in most places. The return of more sun is spring for Iceland. It is still chilly, icy and will probably snow quite a bit, but the long days are returning and that is what gets everyone excited. When you should come just depends on what you want to do. If long hikes in  the highlands appeals to you and to be able to have daylight at any time of the day, then summer is your best bet. If you are keen on seeing the alluring Northern Lights, a snowy wonderland and getting that cozy feeling that many Icelandic houses have, then you should consider coming in the winter. It is worth noting that you can avoid a lot of crowds if you come during the shoulder season months, like September, October, November, March, April &amp; May. The amount of tourists in Iceland skyrockets in the summer and for the New Years celebrations, which are amazing. No matter when you come, there are certain things that stay constant –  you can bathe in natural hot springs or hot tubs in the very nice public pools; Icelandic people love to party, so if you want to do that in downtown Reykjavík just know that most people are not out until midnight.  The ice cream shops are open all year long. Some of them are open until 11pm on certain days. It is worth trying while you are here. You can always find delicious food. If you have the right clothing and an open mind, you won’t regret your choice to visit. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if you end up falling in love with this country like I did. Accommodations in Iceland  Next up to consider when preparing for your trip, is your accommodations. There are many different types of accommodations in Iceland and the range can go from being affordable to ridiculously expensive. Hotels, on average, are around $200 or more a night, Airbnb’s are a cheaper option but you need to book far in advance or you risk missing out on reasonable prices. Also, there has been some push back against Airbnb’s as of late, so I am not sure how long they will continue to be an inexpensive option. Hostels are for sure much cheaper than a hotel and I would just shop around if you are interested in that option. Camping can be quite nice in the summer and is for sure not very expensive. A well anchored and sturdy tent is necessary because the wind can easily blow your tent over or away.  There are many campgrounds with facilities in Iceland.  Summer houses or cottages out in the countryside can be rented in summer or winter. I don’t know why Icelandic people call them summer houses when they are used all year long, but such is life. Guesthouses can also be an option that you can book at a reasonable price. If you are going to the highlands of Iceland, you can book a space in a mountain hut. These are very basic accommodations but they are quite nice after a long hike or drive to get there. Electricity &amp; Internet/Wifi  Internet and wifi are readily available downtown in hotels, cafes, restaurants and so on. However, many remote places might not have wifi, so be aware of that. Downloading directions  from Google Maps or having a GPS that doesn’t require internet can be helpful if you plan to travel around the country. The good news is that there is only one road that goes around the whole country, so it is not terribly hard to get back on track if you get lost. If you are coming from a part of the world that does not use the standard European plug, like the US, UK, Asia and so on, you will need to have a converter to charge your gadgets. Also, European appliances run on 220 volts, so that is something to keep in mind if you have a hair dryer or flat iron that runs on different volts, such as 120 in the US. Is Iceland Safe? Iceland has been named the most peaceful country for many years in a row. It is a very safe place. However, crime, like theft, can happen anywhere in the world. Just make sure to keep an eye on your belongings, especially downtown where it is more crowded. This country is also a very kid friendly place, so bring along the kiddos if you want. There are lots of playgrounds and interesting things for them to explore. As I mentioned earlier, it is also very hitchhiker friendly. If you are on a super strict budget and your travel plans are quite flexible, you use this as an option. I suggest only doing it in summer because more people are traveling on the roads and you have sunlight all day, which makes it easier to get picked up. How Long Should You Visit Iceland? The length of your stay is entirely up to your budget and ability to be away. If you are able to stay for a week, you can see a lot of awesome sights. However, I know that everyone’s schedule is different, so choose what works for you now. If you enjoy your stay, hopefully you can come back for a little while longer to see more of this amazing place. Now that you have been armed with some tips on how to prepare for your trip to Iceland, I am going to move on to the next portion of the show, which is the random fact of the episode. Random Fact About Iceland 60% of the Icelandic population lives in Reykjavík. With a 2018 population estimate of over 350,000 people living in Iceland, the capital area is densely packed with people in comparison to other parts of the country. Icelandic Word of the Day Að undirbúa – to prepare Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:  Facebook Instagram Twitter  I hope you enjoyed this episode that is chock full of information about preparing for your trip to Iceland. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you are subscribed to the All Things Iceland podcast so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you haven’t already. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!

How To Prepare For A Trip to Iceland – Ep. 26

A few days ago I posted on the All Things Iceland Instagram and Facebook pages that I do plan to give a rundown of how the Coronavirus is spreading in Iceland and what the government has been doing to control it. I do not plan to give updates every few days about the virus.   I think it is important to talk about it. However, I mainly created All Things Iceland to share about Icelandic culture, history, language and nature. Not to just focus on one topic. Also, I think it is nice to be able to escape the news for a while and hear about  Iceland.  Like many others, I am closely monitoring what is going on with the virus where I live.  I want to do as much as I can to stay safe.  I still do my weekly news round-up in my Instagram stories each Sunday.  You can check that out if you want to hear about what happened in Iceland the week before.  As I thought about how to format this particular episode, it dawned on me that it might be helpful to give you a bit of backstory regarding when Icelandic officials made it public that they were starting to prepare for the virus coming to the country. Also, I am going to speak a little about how deeply this affects the Icelandic economy, especially the tourism industry. When Did Iceland Start to Prepare for the Coronavirus? To start off, Iceland did take note when the World Health Organization’s (or the WHO) China office started sharing reports of the virus spreading in the Eastern Chinese city Wuhan in late December and into January. Of course no one knew it would spread so quickly around the world. In late January, Iceland started to prepare for it possibly coming our way.  According to Iceland Monitor, on January 27th, Þórarinn Guðnason, the Chief Epidemiologist in Iceland, recommended that Icelanders should,  Cancel any unnecessary trips to areas in China affected by the coronavirus, known to cause pneumonia, coughs, fever and breathing difficulties.  This applies in particular to the Hubei province. Þórarinn Guðnason, the Chief Epidemiologist in Iceland  He was also said “health care officials in Iceland are preparing for the possible spread of the virus to Iceland. “That is our approach – that this will arrive in Iceland… We try to prepare as well as possible. We prepare for the worst, hoping it won’t happen. But we assume it will arrive here.”  Chinese Tourism Was on the Rise in Iceland One thing many people who live outside of Iceland may not be aware of is that Chinese tourism in the country has been on the rise over the last couple of years. Some of the tourists are groups coming directly from China and others are people who were born in China but are studying or working abroad in different places, such as in Europe.  I have worked in tourism Iceland for about four years, from 2016 to present day and it was clear that even though U.S. visitors were still the highest number of tourists that it was evident that numbers were declining fast. Chinese tourists were starting to increase rapidly, especially during the Chinese New Year.  According to an article published in January of this year, Iceland was expecting no less than 130,000 Chinese tourists, which would have been more than the number of Germans expected to visit, and Germans are the third numerous group behind the United States and the United Kingdom. 130,000 might not seem like a lot when you think about the fact that almost two million people visited Iceland in 2019.  However, the potential for more Chinese tourists was growing exponentially. I reported in my weekly news round-up on Instagram back in November that a Chinese airline Juneyao was going to start offering direct flight service from Shanghai to Keflavík airport in March. Of course that is not happening now but that should at least give you an idea that ties between Iceland and China were strengthening. The tourism industry in Iceland is very competitive and all of the companies are fighting for market share. Many of them have been trying to capture the Chinese market because they could all see the writing on the wall. Icelanders Expected Coronavirus Infections to Come Directly From China As a person that lives here and pays a decent amount of attention to the news as well as talks to natives and expats, I can tell you that most of us assumed that Iceland wouldn’t be hit hard by this virus. It felt a world away. Also, most people thought that since this virus originally popped up in China, that it will be either Chinese visitors or Icelanders that had been in China or an already labeled “high risk” area that would bring the virus to the island. Well, to many’s surprise that is not what happened.  People on the Front Lines Started to Prepare  Before any cases of the virus were confirmed in Iceland, a few interesting things happened. First, which was reported on January 31st, is that some employees at Keflavík airport started wearing face masks and gloves. Ísavia, the company that operates the airport, said that they provide the masks and gloves to their employees but it was up to them to wear them.  The second is that Landspítali National University Hospital started reviewing their contingency plans, started planning out routes if they have to transport infected patients to minimize risk of spreading, put in place protective equipment like hospital suits, googles, etc  and began educating their medical staff. As you can tell, the people that work on the front lines such as  in travel, like at the check in counters and flight attendants as well as those working in hospitals, were doing their best to prepare. Most of us not in those professions were just going about our daily lives even though the virus has spread to about twenty countries at that time. Also, it was encouraged to only test people if the person suspected they have been infected, which basically meant that the person had just come from China and felt ill. That was in early February.  Icelandic Family Tries to Get Home From China On February 20th, an Icelandic family (two parents and a child) that had been traveling in China for what was suspected to be quite some time since the outbreak began, requested permission to come home. At that time, the European Union was organizing a flight to bring back European citizens from China and Icelandic authorities were trying to get the family on that plane. Luckily, that was a success.  The family traveled from Wuhan to France and then onto Iceland. They were examined upon arrival and then were instructed to be in quarantine at home for about 14 days. It is important to note that they did not feel ill when they left China nor when they came to Iceland. Just one day after the family arrived in Iceland, it was reported that seven Icelanders vacationing in Tenerife were in quarantine along with 1,000 other people at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel. The Canary Islands  are a Spanish archipelago and are the southernmost part of Spain. They are a popular vacationing spot for many Europeans, Icelanders included. I had the pleasure of going to Tenerife, the largest of the islands,  two years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. You can probably find Icelandic people there at almost any time of the year because there are many direct flights from here to Terenrife. The isolation was due to the fact that an Italian doctor that was a guest at the hotel tested positive with the coronavirus. Police were standing guard at the hotel to make sure that no one entered or left. The First Confirmed Case in Iceland Was Announced On February 28th,  the dam finally broke. Iceland confirmed its first case of Coronavirus. Surprisingly, the Icelandic man who had the virus had been on a skiing trip with a group of other Icelanders in Northern Italy, which was outside of a defined risk area. The man is in his forties had arrived in Iceland on February 22nd, which means that he was walking around with the virus in the country for some days. After falling ill, he was scanned at the hospital and immediately put in isolation after his infection was confirmed. His daughter and wife were also inspected. On top of that, policemen were trying to trace where he had been since arriving back to Iceland.  After this confirmed infection, it was like a domino effect. More confirmed cases started popping up after just a few days. In less than three weeks, Iceland went from having no confirmed cases to having 182 and over 1900 in quarantine in the country, specifically in the Reykjavík area, which has about three fourths of the population of Iceland. That is according to the numbers that were reported on Monday, March 16th, 2020 at 4:30 pm. I include a graph from a  Morgunblaðið article below that shows how the number of cases has increased in this time frame. Confirmed Infections Are Being Announced Daily in Iceland A pretty scary occurrence is that five critical care nurses at the National Hospital were infected with the virus. Two of the nurses had been on the ski trip that I mentioned to you earlier and infected their colleagues while on shift together. They are all now in quarantine. Obviously that puts a big strain on that unit.  One very important thing to know is that up until Thursday, March 12th the majority of the people in the country with confirmed cases of the Coronavirus were Icelanders that had been on skiing trips in the Alps (Northern Italy, Austria and Switzerland) and any people that had close contact with those infected people before it was known that they had the virus. It is still the case that over 65% of the infections were due to exposure in a foreign place but now around 28% of the infections happened domestically, The other small percentage of how people became infected is unknown. The Icelandic Government’s Response to the Spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) With that information, you are probably wondering how the government has responded to all of this. As mentioned in the very beginning of this episode, Iceland’s Chief Epidemiologist did put out a warning about the Coronavirus and expected that it would make its way here. It wouldn’t have been possible to test every single person coming from areas that were not labeled as high risk. The number is bound to keep going up. Here is an overview of how the government has been handling this incredibly difficult situation. First off, they have been extremely transparent and diligent in informing the public about the confirmed Coronavirus cases. On March 6th, the number of confirmed cases hit 43 and a state of emergency was put in place. Viðir Reynisson, Chief superintendent stated on that day to reporters,  “…A ban on public gatherings is probably one of the most effective tools we have in our tool box to slow down the spread of the virus, and we must apply it correctly and in as effective a way as possible. We’re not there yet, but it is inescapable, we believe, that we’ll take that route at some point in time.” Parliament Pledges to Help Businesses &amp; People in Quarantine In order to help businesses, the government announced on March 10th that they would take certain action to support and stimulate the economy during this turbulent time. Because tourism is being hit the hardest, they are considering cancelling taxes and fees for that sector for a limited time. After we are in the clear from this outbreak, a major international advertising campaign will launch to attract travelers.  Icelanders will be encouraged to travel more domestically. Because all companies will feel the effect of what is happening, the government is working closely with financial services companies and banks. The Icelandic government has also pledged that all people who are in quarantine will still receive their salaries.  Updates About the Virus Happen Daily Ever since the first confirmed Coronavirus case on February 28th, there have been daily updates on Facebook by the Almannavarnadeild Ríkislögreglustjóra. That is the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management. It might seem odd that this happens on Facebook but over 90% of Iceland is active on the platform. They have been great about announcing press conferences about the Coronavirus, the amount of new cases each day and more. Two things happened that made some people in Iceland who were already critical of how the government was handling the situation raise their concerns even louder. On March 12th, the news outlets exploded after Trump announced a travel ban on citizens from many European countries. Also, Norway announced that they would shut its borders to stop the spread of the virus. In response to that and more cases being confirmed in Iceland, the government announced a ban on gatherings of more than 100 people on Friday, March 13th.  Some Icelandic Schools Close All colleges and high schools would be closed. However, preschools and primary schools will still be open starting on Monday, March 16th. This is in place for the next four weeks. Companies of less than 100 people can decide if they are closing. Employees are instructed to keep a 2 meter distance from each other. The reason why preschools and primary schools are still open is that it will be difficult for emergency workers and others needed to help with the Coronavirus outbreak to find people to watch their children. It is a bit of a tricky situation and I have heard arguments for and against it.  Some feel that Iceland should stop people from coming into the country. However, that has not happened as of yet and it might not. Icelandair Feels the Heat After the U.S. Travel Ban In February, Icelandair had already made announcements about reducing flights because of how the virus is spreading in Europe. Still, the travel ban to the United States hit them hard. Like I said before, the U.S. is the largest market for the airline. Even though at the time of the announcement, U.S. citizens could still travel to Iceland, many were cancelling their flights. Like many airlines around the world, Icelandair’s stock fell by 22% after the travel ban was announced. To my surprise, the airline still plans to go ahead with scheduled flights to New York, Chicago, Seattle and Washington D.C., over the next 30 days. As in the U.S., people in Iceland started to get more antsy. Many went to stores to buy toilet paper and other goods. I had to laugh  that the news outlets had to put out articles telling people not to hoard. Also, the the sale of canned food has gone up a tremendous amount in some stores. Over the weekend, I  purposely stayed away from Costco because it can be quite busy on a regular weekend, so I wanted to avoid any madness. The Ban on Gatherings is Expanded in Iceland Over the weekend, the ban on gatherings was further clarified. It was announced that in-person conferences, large meetings, going to the cinema, the theater and so on are banned. Restaurants must arrange their seating to have two meters between tables. Families can sit together but those in different parties must be far enough apart. The restaurants and tourism companies must have hand sanitizer available for guests to use as well.  The fascinating part is that as of March 15th, only Icelandic residents traveling from countries with major outbreaks need to enter quarantine when they arrive in Iceland. Tourists from those same countries do not need to be in quarantine but they are asked to respect social distancing. That last part is a bit worrying to me. deCode Genetics Steps in to Help Screen People for the Virus On March 9th, the CEO of deCode Genetics Kári Stefánsson, who I interviewed in episode 50 of this podcast, offered to help the national hospital with screening people for the virus. He is quoted as saying,   We want to help Landspítali [National University Hospital], which has limited capacity,” …“We have the equipment, a lab equipped for work with viruses, and people who are experts at this. What we want to do, in addition to what Landspítali has been doing, is to do a sequence analysis of the virus in those who turn out positive. The idea behind that is to find out how the virus is mutating. Kári Stefánsson, CEO of decode genetics This was welcomed by everyone except the Data Protection Authority and the Ethical Review Committee. They felt that the action might require a permit as a scientific study. However, that issue was resolved and now deCode has started to help screen people. Foss Hotel  has been turned into a quarantine for visitors and Icelanders who need a place to stay. Website Created to Find Updates About the Coronavirus in Iceland  Lastly, an awesome website was recently launched in Iceland to keep people informed about the virus. Data, like the number of confirmed infections, the number of those in quarantine and  more is on the site. Of course there is also a lot of information about how to protect yourself and the groups most at risk. The text is available in Icelandic and English. The Directorate of Health and The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management are responsible for this website.  I hope you found this episode helpful when it comes to understanding how the Coronavirus is affecting Iceland. To stay up to date with what I am posting, you can subscribe to my newsletter.  Random Fact of the Episode On March 15th, Visir published the first results of the voluntary screening by deCode Genetics. About 1% of all Icelanders have the Coronavirus. This is relatively good news but we will get a better picture as more screenings are done. Icelandic word of the episode Bros er betra en koss og knús Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me:  Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter  Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!

Coronavirus in Iceland: How it Spread & What is Being Done About It – Ep. 57

When does summer in Iceland start? While most Icelandic people agree that the weather is more “summery” in June, the beginning of summer in Iceland is officially celebrated on the first Thursday after April 18th. In Icelandic, this day is called Sumardagurinn Fyrsti and it is an official holiday. The ironic part is that, historically, the weather is not very good on that day. If you had the opportunity to listen to Episode 5 of the All Things Iceland podcast, which is titled – What is Winter Like in Iceland?, you would have heard me mention that the winter and summer season start and end dates are according to the Old Norse calendar.  If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, I recommend checking it out. It is amazing how different these two seasons are.  If you only use the Old Norse calendar as your reference for the length of the summer season, it will amount to being about 26 weeks long.  It would be awesome if that were true but the reality is that the long, bright days and warmer weather only lasts about 3 months (June, July &amp; August).  It is important to point out that this country is known for its unstable weather.  Summer in Iceland can vary from being rainy, windy and chilly to clear skies, relatively warm and not very windy. If you get a clear day, with sunshine and little to no wind in Iceland, it is like hitting the weather jackpot. The majority of Icelandic people take advantage of days like that by doing some kind of outdoor activity because it would be a shame to miss out on such awesome weather.  What is summer in Iceland like? When visiting Iceland between June and August, you could theoretically experience a temperature change from a low of 6 degrees Celsius (44 degrees Fahrenheit) to a high of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). However, the temperature rarely gets that high. Realistically,  you can expect a range of 10 – 13 degrees Celsius (50 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit) as a high during the day. For most people, this temperature range is nowhere near the summer temperatures in their home country, but such is life in Iceland. If you plan to visit during this time period, the best advice I have for enjoying summer in Iceland is to embrace unpredictability and pack lots of layers!  Waterproof, or at least water resistant, clothing will be your best friend here. Using an umbrella in this country is like wearing a big, red sign on your back that says you’re a tourist. Icelandic winds tend to blow the rain in a horizontal direction and on many days, the wind speed will break your umbrella like a twig. Save yourself the trouble of trying to wrestle an umbrella in the wind and stick with clothes designed to keep you dry. Activities to do in Iceland during the Summer  If you enjoy being out in nature at all hours of the day, summer in Iceland is the perfect time for you to visit. There are a plethora of activities that you can do during the height of the day or during the midnight sun. Some of the most popular  activities are hiking, glacier walks, partying, cycling, road trips, whale watching, bird watching, horseback riding, driving a 4×4, going to a music festival, going to the local pool or nearby hot spring, camping and driving on rugged mountain roads in a super jeep. You can find a lot more activities with a quick search online. When I first experienced the midnight sun on my second visit to Iceland, I felt as if I could stay awake forever. I visited during the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and it was magical. However, the nonstop brightness confused my brain, and I kept thinking that I could easily stay up and do more activities. I eventually crashed, but I only slept for a few hours at a time. While it is fun to feel like the day is never going to end, the downside is that most people in Iceland still have to go to work and keep some kind of schedule during the week. You might be asking yourself, “How does one cope with 24 hour brightness?”  Some people, including myself, use blackout shades or curtains to block as much light as possible from streaming in. I also use a face mask to ensure that it is completely dark. That might seem like overkill but it works for me, so I stick with it.  Many Icelandic people will tell you that they rest just fine without a curtain or mask. They just close their eyes and go to sleep. Of course, they’ve had the advantage of being raised in this environment, so many of the have adapted to the brightness. Thankfully, the rest of us have methods to cope. I recommend at least bringing a face mask to wear for when you plan to sleep. That was a little taste of what summer in Iceland is like. I encourage you to check it out for yourself. The Icelandic Word of the Episode The Icelandic phrase of this episode is Gleðilegt Sumar. Listen to the podcast at 9:01 to hear how it is pronounced and what it means. I also shared a random fact about Iceland during this episode at 8:15. Check it out. If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes, Google Play or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega! Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!

<h3><b>When does summer in Iceland start?</b></h3> <p>While most Icelandic people agree that the weather is more “summery” in June, the beginning of summer in Iceland is officially celebrated on the first Thursday after April 18th. In Icelandic, this day is called <a href="https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/culture_and_living/2018/04/19/happy_icelandic_first_day_of_summer/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Sumardagurinn Fyrsti</a> and it is an official holiday. The ironic part is that, historically, the weather is not very good on that day. If you had the opportunity to listen to <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/icelandic-winter-ep5" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 5 of the All Things Iceland podcast,</a> which is titled – What is Winter Like in Iceland?, you would have heard me mention that the winter and summer season start and end dates are according to the Old Norse calendar.  If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, I recommend checking it out. It is amazing how different these two seasons are.</p> <p></p> <p>If you only use the Old Norse calendar as your reference for the length of the summer season, it will amount to being about 26 weeks long.  It would be awesome if that were true but the reality is that the long, bright days and warmer weather only lasts about 3 months (June, July &amp; August).  It is important to point out that this country is known for its unstable weather.  Summer in Iceland can vary from being rainy, windy and chilly to clear skies, relatively warm and not very windy. If you get a clear day, with sunshine and little to no wind in Iceland, it is like hitting the weather jackpot. The majority of Icelandic people take advantage of days like that by doing some kind of outdoor activity because it would be a shame to miss out on such awesome weather.</p> <p><a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Seljalandsfoss-water-in-summer.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <h3><b>What is summer in Iceland like?</b></h3> <p>When visiting Iceland between June and August, you could theoretically experience a <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xbd8R2XRw99UWTDvumwA3qKco7DhKbaeckn8LKuZMVM/edit?pli=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">temperature change</a> from a low of 6 degrees Celsius (44 degrees Fahrenheit) to a high of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). However, the temperature rarely gets that high. Realistically,  you can expect a range of 10 – 13 degrees Celsius (50 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit) as a high during the day. For most people, this temperature range is nowhere near the summer temperatures in their home country, but such is life in Iceland.</p> <p>If you plan to visit during this time period, the best advice I have for enjoying summer in Iceland is to embrace unpredictability and pack lots of layers!  Waterproof, or at least water resistant, clothing will be your best friend here. Using an umbrella in this country is like wearing a big, red sign on your back that says you’re a tourist. Icelandic winds tend to blow the rain in a horizontal direction and on many days, the wind speed will break your umbrella like a twig. Save yourself the trouble of trying to wrestle an umbrella in the wind and stick with clothes designed to keep you dry.</p> <h3><b>Activities to do in Iceland during the Summer</b></h3> <p><a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Icelandic-highlands-summer-in-Iceland-From-Foreign-to-Familiar.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>If you enjoy being out in nature at all hours of the day, summer in Iceland is the perfect time for you to visit. There are a plethora of activities that you can do during the height of the day or during the midnight sun. Some of the most popular  activities are hiking, glacier walks, partying, cycling, road trips, whale watching, bird watching, horseback riding, driving a 4×4, going to a music festival, going to the local pool or nearby hot spring, camping and driving on rugged mountain roads in a super jeep. You can find a lot more activities with a quick search online.</p> <p>When I first experienced the midnight sun on my second visit to Iceland, I felt as if I could stay awake forever. I visited during the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and it was magical. However, the nonstop brightness confused my brain, and I kept thinking that I could easily stay up and do more activities. I eventually crashed, but I only slept for a few hours at a time. While it is fun to feel like the day is never going to end, the downside is that most people in Iceland still have to go to work and keep some kind of schedule during the week. You might be asking yourself, “How does one cope with 24 hour brightness?”</p> <p><a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/sun-in-Iceland-during-summer-From-Foreign-to-Familiar.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>Some people, including myself, use blackout shades or curtains to block as much light as possible from streaming in. I also use a face mask to ensure that it is completely dark. That might seem like overkill but it works for me, so I stick with it.  Many Icelandic people will tell you that they rest just fine without a curtain or mask. They just close their eyes and go to sleep. Of course, they’ve had the advantage of being raised in this environment, so many of the have adapted to the brightness. Thankfully, the rest of us have methods to cope. I recommend at least bringing a face mask to wear for when you plan to sleep.</p> <p>That was a little taste of what summer in Iceland is like. I encourage you to check it out for yourself.</p> <h3><strong>The Icelandic Word of the Episode</strong></h3> <p>The Icelandic phrase of this episode is <b>Gleðilegt Sumar. </b>Listen to the podcast at <strong>9:01</strong> to hear how it is pronounced and what it means. I also shared a random fact about Iceland during this episode at <strong>8:15</strong>. Check it out.</p> <p>If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes, Google Play or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review.</p> <p><strong>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega!</strong></p> <p>Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!</p>

Summer in Iceland: All You Need To Know – Ep6

After most visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavik international airport, they quickly grab their bags and set their sights on traveling to downtown Reykjavík. Unfortunately, the don’t give any thought to visiting the rest of the Reykjanes Peninsula.    Little do they know that a beautiful, less crowded and completely underrated place waits just outside of the airport. I was delighted when I found out that this peninsula had been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015.  I have been fortunate to travel to this area on several occasions. When there, I am always pleasantly surprised by how amazing and diverse the landscape is. While I don’t want this peninsula to become overcrowded with visitors, I do think it is a shame that more people do not explore this place. It is literally brimming  with geothermal activity, mud pools and lava fields. It is also home to so many hiking trails and fascinating Icelandic history. Most notably, it is one of the best places to see the separation of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.   After learning more about this place, I decided it was worth it to dedicate this episode to the Reykjanes Peninsula. The Unique Geology of the Reykjanes Peninsula During one of my visits to the area I found the geology to be quite interesting. After looking up how the area was formed, I found the following quote from Visit Reykjanes brochure. Just a heads up, there is some science lingo in the quote but I still think it is worth sharing,   “Reykjanes Peninsula is an important region from a geological standpoint. It is a geologically young section of Iceland and is a land born and highly volcanic counterpart of the North Atlantic Ridge where the tectonic plates diverge at an average rate of 2.5 cm/ yr. The peninsula contains late Quaternary volcanic palagonite tuff and pillow lava formations as fells and mountains from the last glacial periods. Widespread basaltic lava flows and volcanic structures from interglacial periods, especially from the last 11,500 years (the Holocene Era) characterise the area. Four elongated volcanic systems and fissure swarms line the peninsula from SW to NE. They contain open fissures, normal faults, high temperature geothermal fields and numerous volcanic fissures that are lined with monogenetic craters.”  Whether you care about the science behind how this area was formed or not, the beauty and the uniqueness of the landscape can’t be denied. Where is the Reykjanes Peninsula &amp; How to Get There Before jumping into what to see and do in this part of south Iceland, I think it is important to go over where it is and how to get there. As I mentioned in the beginning, this peninsula is in the south of the country, specifically the south-west. The towns and villages that make up the Reykjanes Peninsula include Suðurnesjabær, Grindavík, Vogar, and Reykjanesbær. If it is relatively clear when you are flying into Iceland, you can get a glimpse of the stark black sand beaches along the coastline and the jagged lava rock that dominates this part of the country.  By car, it is very easy to drive around the peninsula. Whether you rent a car on your own or take a tour. However, the real fun begins when you get out of the car and explore on foot.  Different Towns on Reykjanes Peninsula Each of the towns of the peninsula that I mentioned above have unique features that attract visitors. For instance, Reykjanesbær, which is the municipality that is home to Keflavik international airport is made up of three districts: Keflavík, Hafnir and Njarvík. With a population of a little over 15,000 people, it is the largest town on the peninsula. There you will find different types of accommodations, stores, bars and museums.SuðurnesjabærSuðurnesjabær Suðurnesjabær is a fairly new municipality in Iceland. In 2018, it was created by merging Garður and Sandgerði and it has a population of about 3,000 people. There are a plethora of outdoor activities to do in this part of the peninsula. In addition to having spectacular sea views and two awesome lighthouses to experience, this area is brimming with bird life and seals. There is even the possibility of seeing dolphins swim near the shore. Surprisingly, there are white sand beaches here, which you will only present in certain areas of the country. If you have a motorhome, want to camp or have a trailer, there is a local campsite with amenities like toilets, running water and electricity.  Within this municipality is the northern tip of the peninsula. In addition to bird watching and golfing, there is a unique souvenir shop called Listatorg that sells a variety of handmade goods. Additionally, the Suðurnes Science and Learning Center is located there. If you have an interest in exhibitions about Icelandic nature, sea creatures, wildlife and any research related to those topics,I recommend taking time to visit the center.  Vogar Vogar has a population of a little over 1,100 and the town is an old fishing village. What is absolutely fascinating about this place is that even though it mainly has lava fields that span from the ocean to the mountains, it is the largest agricultural area on the peninsula.  In this municipality, you can take a stroll along the pond Vogatjörn, visit the old harbor and check out the íslands Hrafnistumenn monument, which was erected in memory of local fisherman. There is a golf course in this area as well. Even if you don’t care much for the sport, you might still be interested in visiting  to check out one of the largest timber churches in Iceland. It just so happens that the golf course encircles that building. If you are anything like me, you’re probably interested in knowing where the hiking trails are in Vogar. Mount Keilir is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the area. While it looks quite steep, it is not a difficult hike. You can also check out Hrafnagjá, a normal fault and tension fracture that is the longest on the peninsula. This 12 meters long and 30 meters high set of fractures forms a valley rift. There is an easily accessible hiking trail to it from the parking area. GrindavíkGrindavík The third municipality that makes up the Reykjanes peninsula is Grindavík. This place is home to the world famous Blue Lagoon. So many visitors that have gone to the Blue Lagoon were not aware of the other activities in the area. Just to give you a little background about Grindavik, it has a population of about 3,300. Most of the people that live there base their lives around fishing or the fishing industry.  This small town provides more than 40% of Iceland’s salt fish production. It is still one of the most active harbors in the country. The landscape surrounding the town looks eerily like the moon and there are lovely hiking trails there. It is worth noting that this southwestern town is home to one of Iceland’s best golf courses.  Kvikan, which is a house of culture and natural resources, is also located here. Top 10 Places to Go on the Reykjanes Peninsula Because there are over 50 spots on this peninsula to check out, I decided to give you the top 10. However, here is a link to the brochure from Visit Reykjanes that has a plethora of information about this fascinating part of the country.  The Blue Lagoon  This spa is famous for a reason. While it is visited by a lot of tourists each year, I think it is worth checking it out at least once.   Gunnuhver  These smelly mud pools and steam vents are pretty cool to check out but there is an added bonus. They are names-d after a female ghost that was laid there. She was kind of a pain in the butt and caused trouble. That stopped after a priest tricked her into falling into the spring 400 years ago.   Reykjanes Light House  It’s the country’s oldest lighthouse. The original was built in 1878 but ended up being damaged by an earthquake. Another lighthouse was built in 1907 and is currently the one that people visit today. In 2007, it was voted as the favorite lighthouse among Icelanders    Krýsuvíkurberg  This area is fantastic for birdwatching and the steep sea cliffs span for many kilometers along the coast. There are so where around 60,000 birds couples that make those cliffs their homes during the summer. An added bonus is that from the highway, you can find a hiking trail that takes less than an hour to walk.   Kleifarvatn  Kleifarvatn is a gorgeous lake. It is the largest on the peninsula and the third largest in South Iceland. While there is some hot water that runs into the southern part of the lake, the rest of it is cold. If you are a photographer this lake is a great place to go. The contrast of the volcanic landscape and the lake’s blue water are really nice to capture in a photo or on film.   Bridge Between Continents  The Bridge between continents is interesting because there is literally no other place like it. What I find to be interesting is the moon like landscape under the bridge and the formation of the rocks on each side of the continental divide. I do have to say though that is not exactly the most exciting place in Iceland or even on Reykjanes Peninsula. I just find it interesting because of the unique geology. You can even get a certificate that says you walked between continents after you walk over the bridge. Honestly I think people will believe you if you just tell them you did it.   Keilir  Keilir is a mountain that was created during subglacial eruptions in the ice age. It is a landmark in the area and is thought of by some as a symbol of the peninsula. Even though it has steep slopes, it is not very difficult to hike. The awesome part is that you will be rewarded with amazing views if it is a clear day.   Brimketill Lava Rock pool  Along with the Brimketill lava rock pool being absolutely stunning, it’s funny to know that. According to a local legend, a troll woman named Oddný used to occupy the pool. Some people are brave enough to take a dip in the chilly waters. I urge anyone that is visiting this place to be careful because this a natural location. The conditions of the sea can change quickly and you might find yourself swept out into the ocean.    Duus Museum  The Duus museum is quite unique because it packs in a lot of great exhibitions into a series of buildings. You can spend a decent chunk of time checking out all of the history in this space. For instance, the Maritime center displays over 100 model boats hand-crafted by skipper Grímur Karlsson. Additionally, there is a movie hall, an art hall, the Reykjanes Geopark visitor center, and the heritage museum   Viking World Museum  If you are interested in learning about the life and history of Vikings, then check out Viking world Iceland. The coolest attraction there is an authentic Viking ship that was built by Gunnar Marel Eggertsson in 1996. To celebrate the passing of a millennium since the journey of Leifur Eiríksson to the New World, the ship was sailed to New York in 2000.    Of course there are plenty of other places to visit. Some of them include lovely churches, museums and natural wonders. However, I think the ones on my list are for sure worth a visit.  Random Fact of the Episode   Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Of Monsters and Men lead singer is from this area There is a U.S. Navy base at Keflavík International Airport called the Naval Air Station Keflavík. It was built during WWII by the US Army and was once home 5000 troops. The reason for the base was to secure north Atlantic air routes and to defend Iceland against an attack. It was mostly used for getting people, equipment and supplies to Europe for the war. Because it was only meant to be a temporary wartime base, the  U.S. military left in 1947.   However, they returned in 1951 and were labeled the Iceland Defense Force. It was operated as a NATO base. The naval air station closed on September 8th, 2006 and the Icelandic Defence Agency took over the facilities until 2011. At the time, the agency stopped operation and the base was given to the Icelandic Coast Guard, which still has control over it. The base has been visited by the American military and other NATO allies for military exercises. The barracks that the troops used to live in have since been converted into housing for students. You can easily spot the old barracks near the main road that leads to the Keflavík airport because they have been painted with very bright colors. In 2017 the U.S. announced that it wanted to modify the largest hangar on the airbase so it can accommodate a new Boeing P-8 Poseidon. Some people have wondered if that means U.S. troops would come back to occupy the area, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. However, you never know what can happen in the future so I am not ruling out the possibility. Icelandic Word of the Episode Bláa Lónið – Blue Lagoon I hope you enjoyed listening to this episode. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you are subscribed to the All Things Iceland podcast  so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to  this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you  haven’t already. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!

<p>After most visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavik international airport, they quickly grab their bags and set their sights on traveling to downtown Reykjavík. Unfortunately, the don’t give any thought to visiting the rest of the <a href="https://www.visitreykjanes.is/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Reykjanes Peninsula</a>. </p> <p></p> <p> Little do they know that a beautiful, less crowded and completely underrated place waits just outside of the airport. I was delighted when I found out that this peninsula had been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015. </p> <p>I have been fortunate to travel to this area on several occasions. When there, I am always pleasantly surprised by how amazing and diverse the landscape is. While I don’t want this peninsula to become overcrowded with visitors, I do think it is a shame that more people do not explore this place. It is literally brimming  with geothermal activity, mud pools and lava fields. It is also home to so many hiking trails and fascinating Icelandic history.</p> <p>Most notably, it is one of the best places to see the separation of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.   After learning more about this place, I decided it was worth it to dedicate this episode to the Reykjanes Peninsula.</p> <h2>The Unique Geology of the Reykjanes Peninsula</h2> <p>During one of my visits to the area I found the geology to be quite interesting. After looking up how the area was formed, I found the following quote from Visit Reykjanes brochure. Just a heads up, there is some science lingo in the quote but I still think it is worth sharing, </p> <blockquote> <p><em>“Reykjanes Peninsula is an important region from a geological standpoint. It is a geologically young section of Iceland and is a land born and highly volcanic counterpart of the North Atlantic Ridge where the tectonic plates diverge at an average rate of 2.5 cm/ yr. The peninsula contains late Quaternary volcanic palagonite tuff and pillow lava formations as fells and mountains from the last glacial periods. Widespread basaltic lava flows and volcanic structures from interglacial periods, especially from the last 11,500 years (the Holocene Era) characterise the area. Four elongated volcanic systems and fissure swarms line the peninsula from SW to NE. They contain open fissures, normal faults, high temperature geothermal fields and numerous volcanic fissures that are lined with monogenetic craters.</em>”</p> </blockquote> <p>Whether you care about the science behind how this area was formed or not, the beauty and the uniqueness of the landscape can’t be denied.</p> <h2>Where is the Reykjanes Peninsula &amp; How to Get There</h2> <p>Before jumping into what to see and do in this part of south Iceland, I think it is important to go over where it is and how to get there. As I mentioned in the beginning, this peninsula is in the south of the country, specifically the south-west.</p> <p>The towns and villages that make up the Reykjanes Peninsula include Suðurnesjabær, Grindavík, Vogar, and Reykjanesbær. If it is relatively clear when you are flying into Iceland, you can get a glimpse of the stark black sand beaches along the coastline and the jagged lava rock that dominates this part of the country. </p> <p>By car, it is very easy to drive around the peninsula. Whether you rent a car on your own or take a tour. However, the real fun begins when you get out of the car and explore on foot. </p> <h2>Different Towns on Reykjanes Peninsula</h2> <p>Each of the towns of the peninsula that I mentioned above have unique features that attract visitors. For instance, Reykjanesbær, which is the municipality that is home to Keflavik international airport is made up of three districts: Keflavík, Hafnir and Njarvík. With a population of a little over 15,000 people, it is the largest town on the peninsula. There you will find different types of accommodations, stores, bars and museums.</p>Suðurnesjabær<br><br><h2>Suðurnesjabær</h2> <p><a href="https://www.sudurnesjabaer.is/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Suðurnesjabær</a> is a fairly new municipality in Iceland. In 2018, it was created by merging Garður and Sandgerði and it has a population of about 3,000 people. There are a plethora of outdoor activities to do in this part of the peninsula.</p> <p>In addition to having spectacular sea views and two awesome lighthouses to experience, this area is brimming with bird life and seals. There is even the possibility of seeing dolphins swim near the shore. Surprisingly, there are white sand beaches here, which you will only present in certain areas of the country. If you have a motorhome, want to camp or have a trailer, there is a local campsite with amenities like toilets, running water and electricity. </p> <p>Within this municipality is the northern tip of the peninsula. In addition to bird watching and golfing, there is a unique souvenir shop called Listatorg that sells a variety of handmade goods. Additionally, the Suðurnes Science and Learning Center is located there. If you have an interest in exhibitions about Icelandic nature, sea creatures, wildlife and any research related to those topics,I recommend taking time to visit the center. </p> <h2>Vogar</h2> <p><a href="https://www.vogar.is/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Vogar </a>has a population of a little over 1,100 and the town is an old fishing village. What is absolutely fascinating about this place is that even though it mainly has lava fields that span from the ocean to the mountains, it is the largest agricultural area on the peninsula. </p> <p>In this municipality, you can take a stroll along the pond Vogatjörn, visit the old harbor and check out the íslands Hrafnistumenn monument, which was erected in memory of local fisherman. There is a golf course in this area as well. Even if you don’t care much for the sport, you might still be interested in visiting  to check out one of the largest timber churches in Iceland. It just so happens that the golf course encircles that building.</p> <p>If you are anything like me, you’re probably interested in knowing where the hiking trails are in Vogar. Mount Keilir is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the area. While it looks quite steep, it is not a difficult hike. You can also check out Hrafnagjá, a normal fault and tension fracture that is the longest on the peninsula. This 12 meters long and 30 meters high set of fractures forms a valley rift. There is an easily accessible hiking trail to it from the parking area. </p>Grindavík<br><br><h2>Grindavík</h2> <p>The third municipality that makes up the Reykjanes peninsula is <a href="http://www.grindavik.is/english" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Grindavík</a>. This place is home to the world famous Blue Lagoon. So many visitors that have gone to the Blue Lagoon were not aware of the other activities in the area. Just to give you a little background about Grindavik, it has a population of about 3,300. Most of the people that live there base their lives around fishing or the fishing industry. </p> <p>This small town provides more than 40% of Iceland’s salt fish production. It is still one of the most active harbors in the country. The landscape surrounding the town looks eerily like the moon and there are lovely hiking trails there. It is worth noting that this southwestern town is home to one of Iceland’s best golf courses.  Kvikan, which is a house of culture and natural resources, is also located here.</p> <h2>Top 10 Places to Go on the Reykjanes Peninsula</h2> <p>Because there are over 50 spots on this peninsula to check out, I decided to give you the top 10. However, <a href="https://www.visitreykjanes.is/static/files/pdf/baeklingar/msr-pages-the-official-tourist-guide-2018_web-edition.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here is a link</a> to the brochure from Visit Reykjanes that has a plethora of information about this fascinating part of the country.</p> <ol> <li>The<a href="https://www.bluelagoon.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Blue Lagoon</a> <ul> <li>This spa is famous for a reason. While it is visited by a lot of tourists each year, I think it is worth checking it out at least once.</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/inspiration/towns/town/index/place/gunnuhver" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gunnuhver</a> <ul> <li>These smelly mud pools and steam vents are pretty cool to check out but there is an added bonus. They are names-d after a female ghost that was laid there. She was kind of a pain in the butt and caused trouble. That stopped after a priest tricked her into falling into the spring 400 years ago.</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/travel/places/history-and-culture/reykjanes-lighthouse" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Reykjanes Light House</a> <ul> <li>It’s the country’s oldest lighthouse. The original was built in 1878 but ended up being damaged by an earthquake. Another lighthouse was built in 1907 and is currently the one that people visit today. In 2007, it was voted as the favorite lighthouse among Icelanders </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/inspiration/towns/town/index/place/krysuvikurberg" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Krýsuvíkurberg</a> <ul> <li>This area is fantastic for birdwatching and the steep sea cliffs span for many kilometers along the coast. There are so where around 60,000 birds couples that make those cliffs their homes during the summer. An added bonus is that from the highway, you can find a hiking trail that takes less than an hour to walk.</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/travel/places/nature/kleifarvatn" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kleifarvatn</a> <ul> <li>Kleifarvatn is a gorgeous lake. It is the largest on the peninsula and the third largest in South Iceland. While there is some hot water that runs into the southern part of the lake, the rest of it is cold. If you are a photographer this lake is a great place to go. The contrast of the volcanic landscape and the lake’s blue water are really nice to capture in a photo or on film.</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g3676464-d2047707-Reviews-Bridge_Between_Continents-Reykjanes_Peninsula.html" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Bridge Between Continents</a> <ul> <li>The Bridge between continents is interesting because there is literally no other place like it. What I find to be interesting is the moon like landscape under the bridge and the formation of the rocks on each side of the continental divide. I do have to say though that is not exactly the most exciting place in Iceland or even on Reykjanes Peninsula. I just find it interesting because of the unique geology. You can even get a certificate that says you walked between continents after you walk over the bridge. Honestly I think people will believe you if you just tell them you did it.</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://visitreykjavik.is/mount-keilir" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Keilir</a> <ul> <li>Keilir is a mountain that was created during subglacial eruptions in the ice age. It is a landmark in the area and is thought of by some as a symbol of the peninsula. Even though it has steep slopes, it is not very difficult to hike. The awesome part is that you will be rewarded with amazing views if it is a clear day.</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/travel/places/nature/brimketill" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Brimketill Lava Rock pool</a> <ul> <li>Along with the Brimketill lava rock pool being absolutely stunning, it’s funny to know that. According to a local legend, a troll woman named Oddný used to occupy the pool. Some people are brave enough to take a dip in the chilly waters. I urge anyone that is visiting this place to be careful because this a natural location. The conditions of the sea can change quickly and you might find yourself swept out into the ocean. </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://www.sagatrail.is/en/museums/duus-museum/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Duus Museum</a> <ul> <li>The Duus museum is quite unique because it packs in a lot of great exhibitions into a series of buildings. You can spend a decent chunk of time checking out all of the history in this space. For instance, the Maritime center displays over 100 model boats hand-crafted by skipper Grímur Karlsson. Additionally, there is a movie hall, an art hall, the Reykjanes Geopark visitor center, and the heritage museum</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.vikingworld.is/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Viking World Museum</a> <ol> <li>If you are interested in learning about the life and history of Vikings, then check out Viking world Iceland. The coolest attraction there is an authentic Viking ship that was built by Gunnar Marel Eggertsson in 1996. To celebrate the passing of a millennium since the journey of Leifur Eiríksson to the New World, the ship was sailed to New York in 2000.</li> </ol> </li> </ol> <p>Of course there are plenty of other places to visit. Some of them include lovely churches, museums and natural wonders. However, I think the ones on my list are for sure worth a visit. </p> <h2>Random Fact of the Episode </h2> <ol> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanna_Brynd%C3%ADs_Hilmarsd%C3%B3ttir" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir</a>, Of Monsters and Men lead singer is from this area</li> <li>There is a U.S. Navy base at Keflavík International Airport called the Naval Air Station Keflavík. It was built during WWII by the US Army and was once home 5000 troops. The reason for the base was to secure north Atlantic air routes and to defend Iceland against an attack. It was mostly used for getting people, equipment and supplies to Europe for the war. Because it was only meant to be a temporary wartime base, the  U.S. military left in 1947. </li> </ol> <p>However, they returned in 1951 and were labeled the Iceland Defense Force. It was operated as a NATO base. The naval air station closed on September 8th, 2006 and the Icelandic Defence Agency took over the facilities until 2011. At the time, the agency stopped operation and the base was given to the Icelandic Coast Guard, which still has control over it. The base has been visited by the American military and other NATO allies for military exercises. The barracks that the troops used to live in have since been converted into housing for students. You can easily spot the old barracks near the main road that leads to the Keflavík airport because they have been painted with very bright colors.</p> <p>In 2017 the U.S. announced that it wanted to modify the largest hangar on the airbase so it can accommodate a new Boeing P-8 Poseidon. Some people have wondered if that means U.S. troops would come back to occupy the area, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. However, you never know what can happen in the future so I am not ruling out the possibility.</p> <h2>Icelandic Word of the Episode</h2> <p>Bláa Lónið – Blue Lagoon</p> <p>I hope you enjoyed listening to this episode. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you are subscribed to the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland podcast</a>  so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to  this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you  haven’t already.</p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega</p> <p>Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!</p>

Reykjanes Peninsula –  What to See & Do In Iceland’s 2nd UNESCO Geopark: Ep. 45

As I mentioned in part one of the “6 Reasons Why Iceland is so Popular” episode, this amazing country has many reasons for why people are flocking to it. In this episode, I share my final three out of six reasons. Make sure you check out the first three reasons I shared in the last episode of the All Things Iceland podcast.  4. Iceland is a Convenient Place To Catch a Connecting Flight If you are traveling from North America to mainland Europe and vice versa, Iceland is in the middle of those places, which makes it a very convenient place for airline companies to stop and refuel, as well as offer connecting flights to many destinations. Iceland, as a hub for connecting to other flights, has made travel to many places more accessible to people. Even though connecting via Iceland’s Keflavík airport has been used by travelers for over 50 years, it is only in the last 20 years that Iceland has experienced many travelers leaving the airport to explore the country. Up until the 1980s, the number of tourists to Iceland did not exceed 80,000 people in a single year. In fact, the travels of Icelandic people usually exceeded the number of tourists back then. Keflavík Airport by WhatsOn It wasn’t until the 2000s that the number of tourists began to increase. In the early 2000s, Iceland received around 300,000 visitors, which was more than the number of people living on the island! By 2016, that number had sharply risen to almost 1.8 million foreign visitors.  # of Tourist to Iceland vs Icelandic Population Iceland is still a great place for planes to stop and refuel, and it is used by many airlines that want to have connecting flights for their customers. However, it is now a must-see destination, and foreigners are more than happy to leave the airport and discover the country’s unique features. Iceland is so popular because it has been made easy for people to visit. 5. Movies and shows filmed in Iceland The amount of movies and shows filmed in Iceland is astonishing.  I might be stretching it here, but I believe that most people that live in the Western world, and who actively go to the movie theater and/or watch television, have watched at least one of the films listed below:      Batman Begins Die Another Day Fast &amp; Furious 8 Flags of Our Fathers Interstellar Judge Dredd Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Letters from Iwo Jima Noah Oblivion Prometheus Star Trek into Darkness The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Rogue One: A Star Wars Story      This is not an exhaustive list of all of the films that have been shot in Iceland but it gives you a taste of major motion pictures that have captured footage in Iceland’s diverse and remarkable nature. The stunning scenery showcased in these films has inspired people to visit. Plus, who wouldn’t want to go to a destination that feels like you have been transported to outer space? 6. Iceland is so popular because of Strategic Marketing  The promotion of Iceland as a destination has been infused with creativity, humor and a lot of strategic planning.  According to the Promote Iceland Act, “the objective of the act is to strengthen Iceland’s image and reputation, enhance the competitive position of the Icelandic undertakings on foreign markets and to attract foreign investment and tourists to the country.” While that is a boring statement, how the country has gone about creating ways of attracting investments and visitors is far from a snore fest. Photo – Inspired by Iceland Inspired by Iceland is the official marketing arm for the country as a destination. They developed their building blocks for marketing and that serves as the guiding light for how they present the country to the world. In the PDF of their building blocks, the first line on the list of what they want to keep in mind when they promote the country is, “Iceland is not for everyone!” So many countries want to market to everyone but when they do that, it can be so easy for them to lose focus on what they represent. Because the Inspired by Iceland team accepts that the country is not for everyone, they attract their core target audience. Iceland is so popular because word of mouth about it has spread quickly. These people, like myself and many others, fall in love with the country and become super fans. They spread the word about how amazing the country is and why it is worth it to visit and/or live here. The content that Inspired by Iceland produces is always fun, educational and features Iceland’s stunning nature. You can check out a funny video that they recently produced called the Hardest Karaoke Song in the World. It has over 2 million views on Youtube. It  attempts to teach visitors the Icelandic language and show the seven spectacular regions of the country. Another super successful marketing initiative that has appealed to visitors is Icelandair’s stopover option. The airline Icelandair allows for its passengers to stopover in Iceland for up to seven nights at no additional charge. An example of this, is that a person flying from New York to Paris on an Icelandair flight can stopover in Iceland for up to seven nights before continuing on their destination, which is Paris in this situation.  If you have a round trip ticket, you can stopover for up to seven days on your way to Paris and on your way back to New York. Again, for no additional charge. I have included a screenshot of what that example looks like when you are booking on the site below.  Because Icelandair is going to stop in Iceland between many of  its destinations anyway, this is a genius idea. It has attracted the attention of many travelers and has incentivized them to stay in Iceland for a few nights to see what people are raving about. While Icelandair does have this great deal, they are not an inexpensive airline. In 2011, the Icelandic budget airline WowAir, which was founded by Skúli Mogensen, came onto the scene.  Their low fares have made Iceland even more accessible to travelers. There is no inflight entertainment and you pay for pretty much everything, except for oxygen, on the flight.  But if you are on a budget, you can find an inexpensive flight to and from their many destinations in North America and Europe. They also just recently announced flights to India. Photo – Wow Air Marketing from tourist companies, famous photographers and influencers are reaching millions of people on social media, blogs and travel websites. These outlets are playing a significant role in helping to market the country. *By the way, I am not being sponsored to promote any of the companies mentioned in this podcast episode and show notes. If my content is ever being sponsored, I will be upfront about it. I would love to hear what your thoughts are on these six reasons and if you think I missed any. As you can see from Part One and Two of the “6 Reasons Why Iceland Is So Popular”, Iceland is a small country but it has a big personality. Random Fact about Iceland  There is no McDonald’s restaurant in Iceland. The franchised locations, 3 in total, closed in 2009 because of the financial crisis in the country. Hear what the former owner had to say about how difficult it was to keep the locations open at 14:20 in the podcast. The Icelandic Word of the Episode The Icelandic word of the episode is bíomynd, which means movie. Listen to the podcast at 16:09 to hear how it is pronounced. If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes, Google Play or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review. It provides helpful feedback for me and I’d love to hear what you think of the show. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega! Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!

<p>As I mentioned in<a href="https://www.allthingsiceland.com/6-reasons-iceland-popular-part-1/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"> part one</a> of the “6 Reasons Why Iceland is so Popular” episode, this amazing country has many reasons for why people are flocking to it. In this episode, I share my final three out of six reasons. Make sure you check out the first three reasons I shared in the last episode of the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland podcast</a>.</p> <p></p> <h3><strong>4. Iceland is a Convenient Place To Catch a Connecting Flight</strong></h3> <p>If you are traveling from North America to mainland Europe and vice versa, Iceland is in the middle of those places, which makes it a very convenient place for airline companies to stop and refuel, as well as offer connecting flights to many destinations. Iceland, as a hub for connecting to other flights, has made travel to many places more accessible to people. Even though connecting via Iceland’s Keflavík airport has been used by travelers for over 50 years, it is only in the last 20 years that Iceland has experienced many travelers leaving the airport to explore the country. Up until the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Iceland" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">1980s</a>, the number of tourists to Iceland did not exceed 80,000 people in a single year. In fact, the travels of Icelandic people usually exceeded the number of tourists back then.</p> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Keflavík-airport-by-WhatsOn.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Keflavík Airport by WhatsOn</p> <p>It wasn’t until the 2000s that the number of tourists began to increase. In the early 2000s, Iceland received around 300,000 visitors, which was more than the number of people living on the island! <a href="https://www.ferdamalastofa.is/static/files/ferdamalastofa/Frettamyndir/2017/juli/tourism-in-iceland-2017-9.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">By 2016</a>, that number had sharply risen to almost 1.8 million foreign visitors.<br/> </p> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Number_of_tourists_in_Iceland_and_population.svg_.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p># of Tourist to Iceland vs Icelandic Population</p> <p>Iceland is still a great place for planes to stop and refuel, and it is used by many airlines that want to have connecting flights for their customers. However, it is now a must-see destination, and foreigners are more than happy to leave the airport and discover the country’s unique features. Iceland is so popular because it has been made easy for people to visit.</p> <h3><strong>5. Movies and shows filmed in Iceland</strong></h3> <p>The amount of movies and shows filmed in Iceland is astonishing.  I might be stretching it here, but I believe that most people that live in the Western world, and who actively go to the movie theater and/or watch television, have watched at least one of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_shot_in_Iceland" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">films</a> listed below:</p> <ol> <li> <ol> <li> <ul> <li>Batman Begins</li> <li>Die Another Day</li> <li>Fast &amp; Furious 8</li> <li>Flags of Our Fathers</li> <li>Interstellar</li> <li>Judge Dredd</li> <li>Lara Croft: Tomb Raider</li> <li>Letters from Iwo Jima</li> <li>Noah</li> <li>Oblivion</li> <li>Prometheus</li> <li>Star Trek into Darkness</li> <li>The Secret Life of Walter Mitty</li> <li>Rogue One: A Star Wars Story</li> </ul> </li> </ol> </li> </ol> <p>This is not an exhaustive list of all of the films that have been shot in Iceland but it gives you a taste of major motion pictures that have captured footage in Iceland’s diverse and remarkable nature.</p> <p>The stunning scenery showcased in these films has inspired people to visit. Plus, who wouldn’t want to go to a destination that feels like you have been <a href="https://grapevine.is/news/2018/04/10/iceland-one-of-best-destinations-for-space-lovers-says-national-geographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">transported to outer space</a>?</p> <h3><strong>6. Iceland is so popular because of Strategic Marketing<br/> </strong></h3> <p>The promotion of Iceland as a destination has been infused with creativity, humor and a lot of strategic planning.  According to the <a href="http://www.islandsstofa.is/en/about/the-promote-iceland-act" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Promote Iceland Act</a>, “<em>the objective of the act is to strengthen Iceland’s image and reputation, enhance the competitive position of the Icelandic undertakings on foreign markets and to attract foreign investment and tourists to the country</em>.” While that is a boring statement, how the country has gone about creating ways of attracting investments and visitors is far from a snore fest.</p> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/INSPIRED-BY-ICELAND-1.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Photo – Inspired by Iceland</p> <p>Inspired by Iceland is the official marketing arm for the country as a destination. They developed their <a href="http://www.islandsstofa.is/files/guiding-lightsbuilding-blocks-for-marketing-(1).pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">building blocks for marketing</a> and that serves as the guiding light for how they present the country to the world. In the PDF of their building blocks, the first line on the list of what they want to keep in mind when they promote the country is, “Iceland is not for everyone!” So many countries want to market to everyone but when they do that, it can be so easy for them to lose focus on what they represent. Because the Inspired by Iceland team accepts that the country is not for everyone, they attract their core target audience. Iceland is so popular because word of mouth about it has spread quickly. These people, like myself and many others, fall in love with the country and become super fans. They spread the word about how amazing the country is and why it is worth it to visit and/or live here.</p> <p>The content that Inspired by Iceland produces is always fun, educational and features Iceland’s stunning nature. You can check out a funny video that they recently produced called the <em>Hardest Karaoke Song in the World</em>. It has over 2 million views on Youtube. It  attempts to teach visitors the Icelandic language and show the seven spectacular regions of the country.</p> <p>Another super successful marketing initiative that has appealed to visitors is <a href="https://www.icelandair.com/flights/stopover/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Icelandair’s stopover option</a>. The airline Icelandair allows for its passengers to stopover in Iceland for up to seven nights at no additional charge. An example of this, is that a person flying from New York to Paris on an Icelandair flight can stopover in Iceland for up to seven nights before continuing on their destination, which is Paris in this situation.  If you have a round trip ticket, you can stopover for up to seven days on your way to Paris and on your way back to New York. Again, for no additional charge. I have included a screenshot of what that example looks like when you are booking on the site below.</p> <p><a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Icelandair-Mystopover-NYC-to-Paris-example.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>Because Icelandair is going to stop in Iceland between many of  its destinations anyway, this is a genius idea. It has attracted the attention of many travelers and has incentivized them to stay in Iceland for a few nights to see what people are raving about.</p> <p>While Icelandair does have this great deal, they are not an inexpensive airline. In 2011, the Icelandic budget airline <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WOW_air" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WowAir, which was founded by Skúli Mogensen,</a> came onto the scene.  Their low fares have made Iceland even more accessible to travelers. There is no inflight entertainment and you pay for pretty much everything, except for oxygen, on the flight.  But if you are on a budget, you can find an inexpensive flight to and from their many destinations in North America and Europe. They also just recently announced flights to India.</p> <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Skuli_Mogensen_tfmom_3_stor.max-800x800.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Photo – Wow Air</p> <p>Marketing from tourist companies, famous photographers and influencers are reaching millions of people on social media, blogs and travel websites. These outlets are playing a significant role in helping to market the country.</p> <p>*By the way, I am not being sponsored to promote any of the companies mentioned in this podcast episode and show notes. If my content is ever being sponsored, I will be upfront about it.</p> <p>I would love to hear what your thoughts are on these six reasons and if you think I missed any.</p> <p>As you can see from <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/6-reasons-iceland-popular-part-1-ep3/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Part One</a> and Two of the “6 Reasons Why Iceland Is So Popular”, Iceland is a small country but it has a big personality.</p> <h3><b>Random Fact about Iceland<br/> </b></h3> <p>There is no McDonald’s restaurant in Iceland. The franchised locations, 3 in total, closed in 2009 because of the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8327185.stm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">financial crisis in the country</a>. Hear what the former owner had to say about how difficult it was to keep the locations open at <strong>14:20</strong> in the podcast.</p> <h3><b>The Icelandic Word of the Episode</b></h3> <p>The Icelandic word of the episode is <strong>b</strong><b>íomynd</b>, which means movie. Listen to the podcast at <strong>16:09</strong> to hear how it is pronounced.</p> <p>If you have enjoyed this episode of <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland</a>, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes, Google Play or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review. It provides helpful feedback for me and I’d love to hear what you think of the show.</p> <p><strong>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega!</strong></p> <p>Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!</p>

6 Reasons Why is Iceland so Popular – Part 2 – Ep 4

How the Icelandic Language Came to Be The history of the Icelandic language dates all the way back to the 9th century, when settlers, mostly from Norway, came to live in Iceland. What was spoken at that time was Old Norse and this eventually evolved into Old Icelandic. Like many cultures, the language was passed on through spoken word before being preserved in the form of text. Impressively, the oldest preserved text in Icelandic was written around 1100.  If you are interested in being able to read Old Norse and Old Icelandic, check out the interview I did with Jesse Byock, a professor of Old Norse and Medieval Scandinavian Studies at UCLA and Háskóli Íslands. He wrote a Viking Language book series that teaches you how to read those languages. Dr. Jesse Byock During the 12th century and onward, is when the famous sagas and eddas (poems) were written in Old Icelandic.  Being an isolated island in the middle of the Atlantic, worked in favor of Icelandic when it came to preserving the language. Even though, Icelandic is a Germanic language that was birthed from Old Norse, its incremental amount of evolution over many centuries resulted in it becoming a completely separate language from modern day Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages.  It is remarkable that even under Danish rule for more than 500 years (1380 to 1918), the Icelandic language did not change. Danish was learned by many but Icelandic was still used for official communication. Another fascinating tidbit of information is that there is an absence of dialects as you travel from one region of the country to the next.  Some of my colleagues have mentioned that some words are said slightly different in the north than in the south but the language is pretty uniform around the country. www.islandskort.is Because the Icelandic language has changed so little since the 1300s, modern Icelanders have the privilege of being able to read and understand the ancient text of their ancestors that was written 800 years ago. Even though the text has not changed that much, how the language sounds has changed over time. I’ve heard that a modern Icelandic speaker who is reading Old Icelandic is comparable to a modern English speaker reading Shakespeare.  Icelandic Grammar Like some other Indo-European languages, Icelandic grammar is complicated. When a language learner is first introduced to the grammar, it seems like a daunting task to take on. I am still learning it and there are many days when the grammar structure trips me up. For starters, nouns, pronouns and adjectives are inflected in four cases (nominative, accusative, dative and genitive) and they can be in either singular or plural form. Nouns are also categorized into genders:  masculine, feminine or neuter. Verbs can be in the indicative, imperative, conditional or subjunctive mood.  As you can already tell, the language can become very complicated to speak and process quickly, if you have never been exposed to it before. For the sake of time, I won’t go much deeper into this topic because it deserves its own series of podcast episodes to explain it properly. For those of you that have interest in learning the language, you can dip your toe in the pool by learning how to speak with an Icelandic accent. 😉 Efforts to Preserve the Language While Iceland’s archaic language might seem odd to many foreigners, Icelandic people are very proud of their language and they don’t seem interested in changing it. In fact, there is an official committee at the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies whose job is to plan and preserve the language. The evolution of technology and increased exposure to other languages has posed some challenges for the language. The committee has found some clever ways to include words that didn’t exist in the language before. One example is that they will take existing Icelandic words and combine them to create new words. The Icelandic Word of the Episode The Icelandic word of the episode is tungumál, which means language. Listen to the podcast at 14:27 to hear how it is pronounced. I also shared a random fact about Iceland during this episode at 13:38. Check it out. Want to learn Icelandic words and facts? Sign up for my Icelandic word of the week newsletter. The newsletter includes a word directly translated from Icelandic to English, a picture representing the word, an audio pronunciation of the word and a fact about Iceland. If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes, Google Play or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review.  Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega! Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!

<h3><strong>How the Icelandic Language Came to Be</strong></h3> <p>The history of the Icelandic language dates all the way back to the <a href="https://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/icelandic_language.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">9th century</a>, when settlers, mostly from Norway, came to live in Iceland. What was spoken at that time was Old Norse and this eventually evolved into Old Icelandic. Like many cultures, the language was passed on through spoken word before being preserved in the form of text. Impressively, the oldest preserved text in Icelandic was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Icelandic" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">written around 1100.</a></p> <p></p> <p>If you are interested in being able to read Old Norse and Old Icelandic, <a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/jesse-byock-viking-language/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">check out the interview I did with Jesse Byock</a>, a professor of Old Norse and Medieval Scandinavian Studies at UCLA and Háskóli Íslands. He wrote a Viking Language book series that teaches you how to read those languages.</p> <a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/jessethevolcano2.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p>Dr. Jesse Byock</p> <p>During the 12th century and onward, is when the famous sagas and eddas (poems) were written in Old Icelandic.  Being an isolated island in the middle of the Atlantic, worked in favor of Icelandic when it came to preserving the language. Even though, Icelandic is a Germanic language that was birthed from Old Norse, its incremental amount of evolution over many centuries resulted in it becoming a completely separate language from modern day Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages. </p> <p>It is remarkable that even under Danish rule for more than 500 years (1380 to 1918), the Icelandic language did not change. Danish was learned by many but Icelandic was still used for official communication. Another fascinating tidbit of information is that there is an absence of dialects as you travel from one region of the country to the next.  Some of my colleagues have mentioned that some words are said slightly different in the north than in the south but the language is pretty uniform around the country.</p> <a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/islands-kort.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><p><a href="http://www.islandskort.is" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.islandskort.is</a></p> <p>Because the Icelandic language has changed so little since the 1300s, modern Icelanders have the privilege of being able to read and understand the ancient text of their ancestors that was written 800 years ago. Even though the text has not changed that much, how the language sounds has changed over time. I’ve heard that a modern Icelandic speaker who is reading Old Icelandic is comparable to a modern English speaker reading Shakespeare. </p> <h3><strong>Icelandic Grammar</strong></h3> <p>Like some other Indo-European languages, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_grammar" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Icelandic grammar is complicated</a>. When a language learner is first introduced to the grammar, it seems like a daunting task to take on. I am still learning it and there are many days when the grammar structure trips me up. For starters, nouns, pronouns and adjectives are inflected in four cases (nominative, accusative, dative and genitive) and they can be in either singular or plural form. Nouns are also categorized into genders:  masculine, feminine or neuter. Verbs can be in the indicative, imperative, conditional or subjunctive mood. </p> <p>As you can already tell, the language can become very complicated to speak and process quickly, if you have never been exposed to it before. For the sake of time, I won’t go much deeper into this topic because it deserves its own series of podcast episodes to explain it properly. For those of you that have interest in learning the language, you can dip your toe in the pool by learning how to speak with an Icelandic accent. 😉</p> <h3><strong>Efforts to Preserve the Language</strong></h3> <p>While Iceland’s archaic language might seem odd to many foreigners, Icelandic people are very proud of their language and they don’t seem interested in changing it. In fact, there is an official committee at the <a href="http://www.arnastofnun.is/page/as2012_forsida_en" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies</a> whose job is to plan and preserve the language. The evolution of technology and increased exposure to other languages has posed some challenges for the language. The committee has found some clever ways to include words that didn’t exist in the language before. One example is that they will take existing Icelandic words and combine them to create new words.</p> <h3><strong>The Icelandic Word of the Episode</strong></h3> <p>The Icelandic word of the episode is <strong>tungumál</strong>, which means language. Listen to the podcast at 14:27 to hear how it is pronounced. I also shared a random fact about Iceland during this episode at 13:38. Check it out.</p> <p>Want to learn Icelandic words and facts? <a href="http://eepurl.com/dnpKn9" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for my Icelandic word of the week newsletter</a>. The newsletter includes a word directly translated from Icelandic to English, a picture representing the word, an audio pronunciation of the word and a fact about Iceland.</p> <p>If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss an update. If you are listening to this on iTunes, Google Play or any other platform that allows reviews, please leave a review. </p> <p><strong>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa ( og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega!</strong></p> <p>Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!</p>

History of the Icelandic Language: A Brief Overview – EP2

During this episode of All Things Iceland, I give you the low down on what you can expect during an Icelandic winter. While long, dark winter nights can sound awful,  you can easily survive it by knowing what to expect and by using some of the coping mechanisms I share in this episode.  How long is an Icelandic winter? According to the Old Norse calendar, which was split up into two seasons (winter and summer), winter in Iceland is 26 weeks long. The first day of summer is the first Thursday after April 18th every year, which I feel like is a long running joke in Iceland because the weather that day is usually not “summery”. Icelandic winter starts on the Saturday that falls between October 21st and 27th. I am putting together an episode about the Old Norse calendar because it is so fascinating, but for right now, just know that the end of October signals to people in Iceland that winter has arrived. The days get darker much faster around this time.  In fact, we get about 9 hours of daylight around the first day of winter. Daylight just rapidly decreases from there. Check out the yearly sun graph of Iceland.  It is fascinating to see the drastic difference in daylight during an Icelandic winter and summer. While it is true is that winter is long in Iceland, I think it is worth mentioning that it is not an endless span of long, dark, super cold and dreary days. However, there are days like that but they can vary. What is the weather like during winter in Iceland? The country lucked out with its geographical position in the world. According to Iceland’s meteorological office, “Iceland enjoys a much milder climate than its name and location adjacent to the Arctic circle would imply. A branch of the Gulf Stream flows along the southern and the western coast greatly moderating the climate. However, this brings mild Atlantic air in contact with colder Arctic air resulting in a climate that is marked by frequent changes in weather and storminess. Furthermore, this leads to more rainfall in the southern and western part than in the northern part of the island.”  Yes, you will find ice and snow in Iceland during the winter. About 10% of the country is covered in ice and during the winter, the sidewalks in the Reykjavík area can be very icy. Some people wear micro spikes on their shoes because you can easily injure yourself if you slip and fall on the ice. It is unfortunate that micro spikes are usually thought of as things that older people wear here but that is the perception. If you are visiting, I think it is worth it to bring some with you. Better to be safe than sorry. Snow during the winter in Iceland is welcomed, not only because it is pretty but because it lightens up the dark nights. It is interesting to see how much brighter it is outside when there is snow on the ground. Even though, there can be a decent amount of ice on the ground, the majority of the country rarely gets hit with super frigid temperatures. I know that seems weird, especially since the country’s name is Iceland.  The average temperature in Reykjavík, during an Icelandic winter is 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. That is pretty mild, considering that Greenland is a our neighbor.  However, Iceland really is the land of extremes. While you have 24 hour brightness in the summer, Icelandic winter days are quite short. On the shortest day of the year, December 21st or the winter solstice, we get 4 hours and 7 minutes of daylight! Sometimes you don’t see the sun for days because of clouds or storms, especially when the days are at their shortest in December and January. Thankfully, December is full of holiday celebrations. While the sky might be dark, there are lights decorating people’s houses and lots of excitement about Christmas and the upcoming New Year. The other upside to long, dark nights is that you have much better chances of seeing the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon is caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. They are known as ‘Aurora borealis’ in the north and ‘Aurora australis’ in the south. Variations in color are due to the type of gas particles that are colliding.  Ways to cope with a long &amp; dark Icelandic winter Here is a list of activities/tools that help people in Iceland to cope with the darkness during the winter.  A day light lamp Establish a routine Drink lots of coffee. I don’t drink coffee so I can’t vouch for it, but Icelandic people love their coffee Escaping to sunny and warm places Doing outdoor activities – skiing, snowshoeing, hot tubs, sledding, ice skating on frozen lakes, just walking around Working out Appropriate clothing! The darkest month – December – is filled with holiday events and is a cheerful time Cozy homes – candles, wool blankets, movies, soups, indulging in cured meats, candy, ice cream and so on Family gatherings The days become brighter pretty fast after January. Many people are counting down the days until January is over.  The Icelandic Word of the Episode The Icelandic word of the episode is Gluggaveður, which means window weather. Listen to the podcast at 17:57 to hear how it is pronounced, and how Icelandic people use it. I also shared a random fact about Iceland during this episode at 14:55. Check it out. If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss new episodes. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!

<p>During this episode of <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland</a>, I give you the low down on what you can expect during an Icelandic winter. While long, dark winter nights can sound awful,  you can easily survive it by knowing what to expect and by using some of the coping mechanisms I share in this episode.</p> <p></p> <h3><strong>How long is an Icelandic winter?</strong></h3> <p>According to the Old Norse calendar, which was split up into two seasons (winter and summer), winter in Iceland is 26 weeks long. The first day of summer is the first Thursday after April 18th every year, which I feel like is a long running joke in Iceland because the weather that day is usually not “summery”. Icelandic winter starts on the Saturday that falls between October 21st and 27th. I am putting together an episode about the Old Norse calendar because it is so fascinating, but for right now, just know that the end of October signals to people in Iceland that winter has arrived. The days get darker much faster around this time.</p> <p><a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Hallsgrímskirkja-church-and-downtown-Reykjavík-during-winter-in-Iceland-min.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>In fact, we get about 9 hours of daylight around the first day of winter. Daylight just rapidly decreases from there. Check out the <a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/reykjavik" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">yearly sun graph of Iceland</a>.  It is fascinating to see the drastic difference in daylight during an Icelandic winter and summer. While it is true is that winter is long in Iceland, I think it is worth mentioning that it is not an endless span of long, dark, super cold and dreary days. However, there are days like that but they can vary.</p> <h3>What is the weather like during winter in Iceland?</h3> <p>The country lucked out with its geographical position in the world. According to <a href="http://en.vedur.is/weather/climate_in_iceland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iceland’s meteorological office</a>, “Iceland enjoys a much milder climate than its name and location adjacent to the Arctic circle would imply. A branch of the Gulf Stream flows along the southern and the western coast greatly moderating the climate. However, this brings mild Atlantic air in contact with colder Arctic air resulting in a climate that is marked by frequent changes in weather and storminess. Furthermore, this leads to more rainfall in the southern and western part than in the northern part of the island.”</p> <p><a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/iceland-covered-in-snow-during-winter.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>Yes, you will find ice and snow in Iceland during the winter. About 10% of the country is covered in ice and during the winter, the sidewalks in the Reykjavík area can be very icy. Some people wear micro spikes on their shoes because you can easily injure yourself if you slip and fall on the ice. It is unfortunate that micro spikes are usually thought of as things that older people wear here but that is the perception. If you are visiting, I think it is worth it to bring some with you. Better to be safe than sorry.</p> <p>Snow during the winter in Iceland is welcomed, not only because it is pretty but because it lightens up the dark nights. It is interesting to see how much brighter it is outside when there is snow on the ground. Even though, there can be a decent amount of ice on the ground, the majority of the country rarely gets hit with super frigid temperatures. I know that seems weird, especially since the country’s name is Iceland.  The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Iceland" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">average temperature</a> in Reykjavík, during an Icelandic winter is 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. That is pretty mild, considering that Greenland is a our neighbor.</p> <p><a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/dark-nights-and-icebergs-in-Iceland.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>However, Iceland really is the land of extremes. While you have 24 hour brightness in the summer, Icelandic winter days are quite short. On the shortest day of the year, December 21st or the winter solstice, we get 4 hours and 7 minutes of daylight! Sometimes you don’t see the sun for days because of clouds or storms, especially when the days are at their shortest in December and January. Thankfully, December is full of holiday celebrations.</p> <p>While the sky might be dark, there are lights decorating people’s houses and lots of excitement about Christmas and the upcoming New Year. The other upside to long, dark nights is that you have much better chances of seeing the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon is caused by <a href="https://www.northernlightscentre.ca/northernlights.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">collisions between electrically charged particles </a>from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. They are known as ‘Aurora borealis’ in the north and ‘Aurora australis’ in the south. Variations in color are due to the type of gas particles that are colliding.</p> <p><a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/iceland-northern-lights.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <h3>Ways to cope with a long &amp; dark Icelandic winter</h3> <p>Here is a list of activities/tools that help people in Iceland to cope with the darkness during the winter.</p> <ul> <li>A day light lamp</li> <li>Establish a routine</li> <li>Drink lots of coffee. I don’t drink coffee so I can’t vouch for it, but Icelandic people love their coffee</li> <li>Escaping to sunny and warm places</li> <li>Doing outdoor activities – skiing, snowshoeing, hot tubs, sledding, ice skating on frozen lakes, just walking around</li> <li>Working out</li> <li>Appropriate clothing!</li> <li>The darkest month – December – is filled with holiday events and is a cheerful time</li> <li>Cozy homes – candles, wool blankets, movies, soups, indulging in cured meats, candy, ice cream and so on</li> <li>Family gatherings</li> <li>The days become brighter pretty fast after January. Many people are counting down the days until January is over.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>The Icelandic Word of the Episode</strong></h3> <p>The Icelandic word of the episode is <b>Gluggaveður</b>, which means window weather. Listen to the podcast at <strong>17:57</strong> to hear how it is pronounced, and how Icelandic people use it. I also shared a random fact about Iceland during this episode at <strong>14:55</strong>. Check it out.</p> <p>If you have enjoyed this episode of All Things Iceland, please subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss new episodes.</p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega</p> <p>Thank you kindly for reading (and listening). See you soon!</p>

How to Survive an Icelandic Winter – Ep5

I had the pleasure of chatting with Eunsan Huh, the awesome creator of the popular Instagram account, @EverySingleWordinIcelandic. On her account, you will find Icelandic words that she has illustrated as icons, which is helping her and others to learn the language.   She has also created a book called “Iceland in Icons: a Pictographic Travel Guide“, which I will have a link to in the show notes of this episode.  It was so much fun to chat with her about how she fell in love with Iceland, why she started to learn the language and some of the adventures she has been on around the country. The Questions I Asked Eunsan During the Interview  You have a very interesting background. You were born in Korea, raised in Australia and Canada and now you have been living in NYC for more than a decade. After being exposed to so many different cultures, what made you gravitate toward Iceland? When did you decide to start learning Icelandic?  What resources are you using to learn Icelandic and what has your experience been like? What inspired you to start creating icons for Icelandic words? You have a book called “Iceland in Icons: A Pictographic Travel Guide”. Obviously, the use of icons to represent places and words in Icelandic make it unique, but what else makes your book different than other travel guides?   How many times have you visited Iceland?  Do you see yourself living here? I saw on your Instagram that you have stayed and worked on a farm while in Iceland. What was that experience like? Do you recommend that to others? What is your favorite Icelandic word or phrase? You will be speaking at Tedx Reykjavík tomorrow (October 13), which is awesome! If people want to keep up with what you are doing, where should they follow you?  Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me:  Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter  I hope you enjoyed listening to this interview.  Make sure you are subscribed to the All Things Iceland podcast  so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you  haven’t already. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!

<p>I had the pleasure of chatting with Eunsan Huh, the awesome creator of the popular Instagram account, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/everysinglewordinicelandic/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@EverySingleWordinIcelandic</a>. On her account, you will find Icelandic words that she has illustrated as icons, which is helping her and others to learn the language. </p> <p></p> <p>She has also created a book called “<a href="https://www.forlagid.is/vara/iceland-in-icons/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Iceland in Icons: a Pictographic Travel Guide</a>“, which I will have a link to in the show notes of this episode.  It was so much fun to chat with her about how she fell in love with Iceland, why she started to learn the language and some of the adventures she has been on around the country.</p> <h2>The Questions I Asked Eunsan During the Interview</h2> <ul> <li>You have a very interesting background. You were born in Korea, raised in Australia and Canada and now you have been living in NYC for more than a decade. After being exposed to so many different cultures, what made you gravitate toward Iceland?</li> <li>When did you decide to start learning Icelandic? </li> <li>What resources are you using to learn Icelandic and what has your experience been like?</li> <li>What inspired you to start creating icons for Icelandic words?</li> <li>You have a book called “Iceland in Icons: A Pictographic Travel Guide”. Obviously, the use of icons to represent places and words in Icelandic make it unique, but what else makes your book different than other travel guides?  </li> <li>How many times have you visited Iceland? </li> <li>Do you see yourself living here?</li> <li>I saw on your Instagram that you have stayed and worked on a farm while in Iceland. What was that experience like? Do you recommend that to others?</li> <li>What is your favorite Icelandic word or phrase?</li> <li>You will be speaking at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tedxreykjavik/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Tedx Reykjavík</a> tomorrow (October 13), which is awesome! If people want to keep up with what you are doing, where should they follow you?</li> </ul> <h2>Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me:</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCacXXvaNHJQhMYU7f77OrBA" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/jewellschambers" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p>I hope you enjoyed listening to this interview.  Make sure you are subscribed to the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland podcast</a>  so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you  haven’t already.</p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega</p> <p>Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!</p>

Every Single Word in Icelandic: Interview with Eunsan Huh – Ep.51

This episode might be short but it gives you a good overview of Icelandic foods to try while in Iceland. Before I jump into this list, I have to inform you that I have been a plant based eater, usually referred to as vegan, for the last five years. However, I did taste all of these foods before I made the transition. The foods on this list are very much a part of the Icelandic food culture and it would be difficult to talk about Iceland without mentioning them.  I just want all of my vegetarian and vegan listeners to know that there are a lot options for you in Iceland and I am working on putting together a video and podcast episode about those options.   Icelandic Hot Dog  Iceland’s hot dog has become a must have food while visiting. Most tasters of it agree that is deserving of its reputation.  Its mix of lamb, beef and other sustainably raised meat has become a crowd pleaser. You can top them with fried onions, raw onions, and condiments, such as tomatsosa (ketchup), plysusinnep (a sweet hot dog mustard) and remolaði, which mixes mayo, capers, mustard, and herbs. It is served on a warm bun.  You can buy a quality hot dog in any gas station, but the most popular place to get one is at the famous hot dog stand downtown called Bæjarins Bestu Pylsur.    Skyr  The next on the list is skyr, which is a cultured dairy product made in Iceland that has the consistency of strained yogurt. Surprisingly, it is classified as cheese but I consider it yogurt. It is packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, and is naturally fat free. Its texture, taste and diet friendly nutrition have made it popular around the world. There is a good chance that Siggi’s skyr or some other Icelandic foods brand is available in your grocery store right now.  When visiting Iceland, you will be able to have some from different brands. The amount of flavors here is pretty incredible.    Ice Cream  A dairy product that rivals skyr in popularity in Iceland is ice cream. There is no such thing as ice cream season in this country. Even when there is a snow storm outside, people will still head over to the ice cream shop for their favorite ice cream. There are several ways that Icelandic people like to enjoy their ice cream. One is having a swirl of vanilla ice cream on a cone dipped in a warm sauce, such as caramel, chocolate, liquorice and many others. The sauce coats the ice cream and forms a thin hard shell of candy around it. Another way to eat ice cream in Iceland is in a cup mixed with candies of your choice. While they do have different sizes to choose from, I feel like a “small” is huge and would be more than enough for two people or one person who has a big appetite and really loves ice cream. The ice cream stores are called ísbuðin or literally ice cream store. There are plenty of them around and are easy to spot because they usually have an illustration of ice cream on a cone in the window of the store. There are some places that offer vegan ice cream in Iceland but my ultimate favorite is Brynjuís in Kopavogur, a neighborhood in the Reykjavík area. If you are lactose intolerant or a vegan but you still want creamy and delicious ice cream, definitely try their vegan ice cream. You can have it soy or coconut based. The coconut based one is absolutely divine!    Lamb  Icelandic people have been raising and eating lamb for centuries. Eating lamb is a huge part of their culture and they have eaten it in many different forms. Some of the most notable is slow roasted, in a stew or eating cooked lambs head. Another is pickled lamb’s head but that isn’t something that everyone is willing to taste. Icelandic people normally eat that during Þórrablót, which a festival that I talk about during my Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions episode. This Icelandic foods festival is popular among the natives.    Icelandic Candy, Including Liquorice  Like ice cream, candy holds a special place in Icelandic people’s hearts and stomach. Many grocery stores have a complete aisle dedicated to candy. On Saturday, loose candy that you scoop into bags yourself are half off in supermarkets. You will see grownups and kids packed in the aisles so they can get scoops of their favorite candy on a Saturday.  While I am not much of a fan of liquorice, there is no denying that it is ridiculously popular here. I am pretty sure Icelandic people would revolt if their precious liquorice was ever taken from them. To me,  liquorice on its own is not bad, but the kind with salty powder on it is too intense for my palate. The powder is called salmiak salt or better known as ammonium chloride. Yes, you heard that right. They put ammonium chloride on their candy and love it! It gives the candy an astringent salty taste that can make your tongue feel like it is numb or sting your mouth. The first time I tried it, I thought I was being poisoned so I spit the candy out immediately. This is not to scare you but I do think you should be aware of what you are eating before putting it in your mouth. Some people who have never had it before love it, so to each their own.  Icelandic people also love their chocolate. Noi Sirius is a popular brand here. I recommend perusing the candy aisle in the grocery store and trying an assortment of things. You will find a mix of Icelandic, North American and Scandinavian varieties to choose from. The supermarkets you will find in Iceland are Bónus, Krónan and Hagkaup.      Rúgbrauð  Rúgbrauð is an Icelandic rye bread that was traditionally baked in a pot or steamed in a wooden cask that was buried in the ground near a hot spring. When it used to be made with the steam of a hot spring, it was called hverabrauð or hot spring bread. Now, it is made in a baking pan in the oven. It is a dense bread that is very dark and kind of sweet. People spread butter, cheese and different things on it.  This traditional bread is very popular here and is worth a try.    Fish  Icelandic culture and economy have involved fishing for ages.  It has been a staple in almost all Icelandic people’s diets. There are loads of salt water fish varieties in the Atlantic ocean that surrounds the island and there are many restaurants that specialize in serving these fish dishes. Whether you have a fish stew, a filet, fish steak or whatever, you will most likely be getting a fresh and sustainably caught fish. I say most likely because fish farms have been springing up in Iceland recently.    Coffee  I know coffee is a beverage but it is such a staple in this country that I have to mention it. Icelandic people pride themselves on drinking coffee and there are a lot of cafes to get a cup or two. If you are a coffee lover, then you will certainly find a lot of coffee options in Iceland. Along with coffee, you can find delicious treats like cinnamon rolls and fresh baked bread in the bakeries here.    Harðfiskur  In modern times, dried fish or harðfiskur is a usually a snack in Iceland. Back in the settlement times, drying the fish allowed for families to preserve their food longer. It provided vital nutrients and quick food, especially during the winter.  Today, eating harðfiskur is kind of like eating a potato chip, except most people eat it with salted butter. The fish is usually haddock or cod.    Fermented Shark  The last but certainly not the least is fermented shark or hákarl. I was a little reluctant to put this on the list because it is tastes worse than it sounds, which is pretty bad. I already think that fermented shark sounds terrible. However, Iceland is known for this spoiled dish. One thing that helps to cut the putrid taste is to drink a shot of Brennivín, which is Icelandic Schnapps, right after. I recommend to not touch the shark with your hands to avoid having the lingering smell on your skin. It is hard to believe that this was one of the Icelandic foods that was eaten a decent amount back in the day.    Random fact of the episode Even though a lot of produce is imported, Icelanders can grow carrots, kale, salad, potatoes, rhubarb, tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers in greenhouses. A lot of these products can be found in local grocery stores. However, it bugs me that these Icelandic foods are normally wrapped in plastic, while the imported vegetables are not. The Icelandic word of the episode is:  Matur – food  Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:  Facebook Instagram Twitter  I hope you enjoyed this episode that is chock full of information about food to try in Iceland. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you are subscribed to the All Things Iceland podcast so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you haven’t already. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!

<p>This episode might be short but it gives you a good overview of Icelandic foods to try while in Iceland. Before I jump into this list, I have to inform you that I have been a plant based eater, usually referred to as vegan, for the last five years. However, I did taste all of these foods before I made the transition. The foods on this list are very much a part of the Icelandic food culture and it would be difficult to talk about Iceland without mentioning them.</p> <p></p> <p>I just want all of my vegetarian and vegan listeners to know that there are a lot options for you in Iceland and I am working on putting together a video and podcast episode about those options.</p> <ol> <li> <h3>Icelandic Hot Dog</h3> <ul> <li>Iceland’s hot dog has become a must have food while visiting. Most tasters of it agree that is deserving of its reputation.  Its mix of lamb, beef and other sustainably raised meat has become a crowd pleaser. You can top them with fried onions, raw onions, and condiments, such as tomatsosa (ketchup), plysusinnep (a sweet hot dog mustard) and remolaði, which mixes mayo, capers, mustard, and herbs. It is served on a warm bun.  You can buy a quality hot dog in any gas station, but the most popular place to get one is at the famous hot dog stand downtown called <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189970-d1852122-Reviews-Baejarins_Beztu_Pylsur-Reykjavik_Capital_Region.html" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Bæjarins Bestu Pylsur</a>.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Skyr</h3> <ul> <li>The next on the list is skyr, which is a cultured dairy product made in Iceland that has the consistency of strained yogurt. Surprisingly, it is classified as cheese but I consider it yogurt. It is packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, and is naturally fat free. Its texture, taste and diet friendly nutrition have made it popular around the world. There is a good chance that Siggi’s skyr or some other Icelandic foods brand is available in your grocery store right now.  When visiting Iceland, you will be able to have some from different brands. The amount of flavors here is pretty incredible.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Ice Cream</h3> <ul> <li>A dairy product that rivals skyr in popularity in Iceland is ice cream. There is no such thing as ice cream season in this country. Even when there is a snow storm outside, people will still head over to the ice cream shop for their favorite ice cream. There are several ways that Icelandic people like to enjoy their ice cream. One is having a swirl of vanilla ice cream on a cone dipped in a warm sauce, such as caramel, chocolate, liquorice and many others. The sauce coats the ice cream and forms a thin hard shell of candy around it.</li> <li>Another way to eat ice cream in Iceland is in a cup mixed with candies of your choice. While they do have different sizes to choose from, I feel like a “small” is huge and would be more than enough for two people or one person who has a big appetite and really loves ice cream. The ice cream stores are called ísbuðin or literally ice cream store. There are plenty of them around and are easy to spot because they usually have an illustration of ice cream on a cone in the window of the store. There are some places that offer vegan ice cream in Iceland but my ultimate favorite is <a href="https://en.ja.is/brynja-isbud/wn15Z/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Brynjuís</a> in Kopavogur, a neighborhood in the Reykjavík area. If you are lactose intolerant or a vegan but you still want creamy and delicious ice cream, definitely try their vegan ice cream. You can have it soy or coconut based. The coconut based one is absolutely divine!</li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Lamb</h3> <ul> <li>Icelandic people have been raising and eating lamb for centuries. Eating lamb is a huge part of their culture and they have eaten it in many different forms. Some of the most notable is slow roasted, in a stew or eating cooked lambs head. Another is pickled lamb’s head but that isn’t something that everyone is willing to taste. Icelandic people normally eat that during Þórrablót, which a festival that I talk about during my <a href="https://www.allthingsiceland.com/icelandic-holidays-celebrations-traditions/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions</a> episode. This Icelandic foods festival is popular among the natives.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Icelandic Candy, Including Liquorice</h3> <ul> <li>Like ice cream, candy holds a special place in Icelandic people’s hearts and stomach. Many grocery stores have a complete aisle dedicated to candy. On Saturday, loose candy that you scoop into bags yourself are half off in supermarkets. You will see grownups and kids packed in the aisles so they can get scoops of their favorite candy on a Saturday.  While I am not much of a fan of liquorice, there is no denying that it is ridiculously popular here. I am pretty sure Icelandic people would revolt if their precious liquorice was ever taken from them.</li> <li>To me,  liquorice on its own is not bad, but the kind with salty powder on it is too intense for my palate. The powder is called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salty_liquorice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">salmiak salt</a> or better known as ammonium chloride. Yes, you heard that right. They put ammonium chloride on their candy and love it! It gives the candy an astringent salty taste that can make your tongue feel like it is numb or sting your mouth. The first time I tried it, I thought I was being poisoned so I spit the candy out immediately. This is not to scare you but I do think you should be aware of what you are eating before putting it in your mouth. Some people who have never had it before love it, so to each their own. <br><ul> <li>Icelandic people also love their chocolate. Noi Sirius is a popular brand here. I recommend perusing the candy aisle in the grocery store and trying an assortment of things. You will find a mix of Icelandic, North American and Scandinavian varieties to choose from. The supermarkets you will find in Iceland are Bónus, Krónan and Hagkaup.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Rúgbrauð</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%BAgbrau%C3%B0" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Rúgbrauð</a> is an Icelandic rye bread that was traditionally baked in a pot or steamed in a wooden cask that was buried in the ground near a hot spring. When it used to be made with the steam of a hot spring, it was called hverabrauð or hot spring bread. Now, it is made in a baking pan in the oven. It is a dense bread that is very dark and kind of sweet. People spread butter, cheese and different things on it.  This traditional bread is very popular here and is worth a try.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Fish</h3> <ul> <li>Icelandic culture and economy have involved fishing for ages.  It has been a staple in almost all Icelandic people’s diets. There are loads of salt water fish varieties in the Atlantic ocean that surrounds the island and there are many restaurants that specialize in serving these fish dishes. Whether you have a fish stew, a filet, fish steak or whatever, you will most likely be getting a fresh and sustainably caught fish. I say most likely because fish farms have been springing up in Iceland recently.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Coffee</h3> <ul> <li>I know coffee is a beverage but it is such a staple in this country that I have to mention it. Icelandic people pride themselves on drinking coffee and there are a lot of cafes to get a cup or two. If you are a coffee lover, then you will certainly find a lot of coffee options in Iceland. Along with coffee, you can find delicious treats like cinnamon rolls and fresh baked bread in the bakeries here.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Harðfiskur</h3> <ul> <li>In modern times, dried fish or harðfiskur is a usually a snack in Iceland. Back in the settlement times, drying the fish allowed for families to preserve their food longer. It provided vital nutrients and quick food, especially during the winter.  Today, eating <a href="https://icelandicfoodstories.wordpress.com/2010/09/05/har%C3%B0fiskur-me%C3%B0-smjori-dried-fish-with-butter/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">harðfiskur</a> is kind of like eating a potato chip, except most people eat it with salted butter. The fish is usually haddock or cod.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Fermented Shark</h3> <ul> <li>The last but certainly not the least is fermented shark or hákarl. I was a little reluctant to put this on the list because it is tastes worse than it sounds, which is pretty bad. I already think that fermented shark sounds terrible. However, Iceland is known for this spoiled dish. One thing that helps to cut the putrid taste is to drink a shot of Brennivín, which is Icelandic Schnapps, right after. I recommend to not touch the shark with your hands to avoid having the lingering smell on your skin. It is hard to believe that this was one of the Icelandic foods that was eaten a decent amount back in the day.</li> </ul> </li> </ol> <h3><b>Random fact of the episode</b></h3> <p>Even though a lot of produce is imported, Icelanders can grow carrots, kale, salad, potatoes, rhubarb, tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers in greenhouses. A lot of these products can be found in local grocery stores. However, it bugs me that these Icelandic foods are normally wrapped in plastic, while the imported vegetables are not.</p> <h3>The Icelandic word of the episode is:</h3> <ul> <li>Matur – food</li> </ul> <h2>Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromforeigntofamiliar/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/jewellschambers" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p>I hope you enjoyed this episode that is chock full of information about food to try in Iceland. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you are subscribed to the <a href="https://www.allthingsiceland.com/podcast-episodes/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland podcast</a> so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you haven’t already.</p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega</p> <p>Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!</p>

10 Popular Icelandic Foods to Try While Visiting – Ep. 25

Jesse Byock

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jesse Byock, professor of Old Norse and Medieval Scandinavian Studies at UCLA and Háskóli Íslands for the All Things Iceland Podcast. We sat down in his lovely apartment in Reykjavík to chat about his book “Viking Language 1: Learn Old Norse, Runes, and Icelandic Sagas”.   I met Jesse at the 2017 Polyglot Conference in Reykjavík, Iceland after seeing the captivating cover of his book (below) that was laying on the table.  I ended up having a chat with Jesse about living in Iceland, the Icelandic language and the Viking Language book series. As an archaeologist and an expat that has lived in Iceland for decades, Jesse has some fascinating stories to share. You will hear some of them in this interview.  Viking Language 1 – A Brief Overview  Can you guess what the creature is on the front cover of his book? Jesse reveals the answer at 24:05 in the podcast.  Viking Language 1 is a grammar book for beginners that want an introduction to Old Norse, but it goes beyond the normal humdrum grammar book. Over the course of 20 years, Jesse developed this book based on the feedback he received from his students while teaching Old Norse.  Instead of just cramming the book with rote grammar and vocabulary exercises, he decided to weave in tidbits of history, culture and stories in between the exercises. He also included maps that display where Vikings traveled in Europe and North America. This refreshing approach made doing the exercises fun.  History and culture enthusiasts will be delighted with the plethora of information he provides.  While Jesse uses this book to teach Old Norse in the classroom, he stated in the interview that he structured the book so people could use it for independent learning. As a do-it-yourself kind of person, I appreciate the effort he made to create a book that is also useful for people who are not taking a class. You can find Viking Language 1 &amp; 2 on Amazon Learn More About Jesse Byock &amp; His Other Books  Jesse’s Viking Language website Jesse has authored many books and they are available on Amazon. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa (og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega. Thank you kindly for reading (and listening to the podcast). See you soon!

<p>I had the pleasure of interviewing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Byock" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Jesse Byock</a>, professor of Old Norse and Medieval Scandinavian Studies at <a href="http://scandinavian.ucla.edu/person/jesse-byock/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">UCLA</a> and Háskóli Íslands for the All Things Iceland Podcast. We sat down in his lovely apartment in Reykjavík to chat about his book “Viking Language 1: Learn Old Norse, Runes, and Icelandic Sagas”. </p> <p></p> <p>I met Jesse at the <a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/2017-polyglot-conference-experience/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">2017 Polyglot Conference</a> in Reykjavík, Iceland after seeing the captivating cover of his book (below) that was laying on the table.  I ended up having a chat with Jesse about living in Iceland, the Icelandic language and the Viking Language book series. As an archaeologist and an expat that has lived in Iceland for decades, Jesse has some fascinating stories to share. You will hear some of them in this interview. </p> <h1><b>Viking Language 1 – A Brief Overview</b></h1> <p><a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Viking-language-1-Learn-Old-Norse-Runes-and-Icelandic-Sagas-book-cover-by-Jesse-Byock-cropped.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>Can you guess what the creature is on the front cover of his book? Jesse reveals the answer at 24:05 in the podcast. </p> <p>Viking Language 1 is a grammar book for beginners that want an introduction to Old Norse, but it goes beyond the normal humdrum grammar book. Over the course of 20 years, Jesse developed this book based on the feedback he received from his students while teaching Old Norse.  Instead of just cramming the book with rote grammar and vocabulary exercises, he decided to weave in tidbits of history, culture and stories in between the exercises. He also included maps that display where Vikings traveled in Europe and North America. This refreshing approach made doing the exercises fun.  History and culture enthusiasts will be delighted with the plethora of information he provides. </p> <p>While Jesse uses this book to teach Old Norse in the classroom, he stated in the interview that he structured the book so people could use it for independent learning. As a do-it-yourself kind of person, I appreciate the effort he made to create a book that is also useful for people who are not taking a class.</p> <p>You can find <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Viking-Language-Learn-Norse-Icelandic/dp/1480216445/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Viking Language 1</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Viking-Language-Old-Norse-Reader/dp/1481175262/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&amp;pd_rd_i=1481175262&amp;pd_rd_r=AA9Z9ZR0T4VD15FXJ2XJ&amp;pd_rd_w=iW0Or&amp;pd_rd_wg=dIqrM&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=AA9Z9ZR0T4VD15FXJ2XJ&amp;dpID=51jR6lWzGlL&amp;preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&amp;dpSrc=detail" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2</a> on Amazon</p> <h1><b>Learn More About Jesse Byock &amp; His Other Books</b></h1> <p><a href="http://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Archaeologist-Dr.-Jesse-Byock-at-the-Mosfellsdalur-excavation-in-Iceland-.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.vikingnorse.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Jesse’s Viking Language website</a></p> <p>Jesse has <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jesse-L.-Byock/e/B000EMAMGG" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">authored many books</a> and they are available on Amazon.</p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa (og að hlusta). Sjáumst fljótlega.</p> <p>Thank you kindly for reading (and listening to the podcast). See you soon!</p>

Jesse Byock Interview: Author of the Viking Language Series – EP1

The history of the Icelandic government, also known as Alþingi (pronounced “Althingi”), dates back to the 900s. This episode breaks down the evolution of the government in this country from the very beginning to present day.  The World’s Oldest Surviving Parliament  In previous episodes, I have mentioned the Alþingi, which is the the Icelandic parliament. It was founded in 930 at Þingvellir, which is now part of the Golden Circle and is one of the most historically important sites in the country. Iceland claims that the Althingi is the oldest surviving parliament in the world. Because of the history and unique geology in the area, Þingvellir became a National Park on the 1000th year anniversary of the Althingi in 1930. In 2004, the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Because most of the settlers in Iceland during the 900s were Norwegian, their heritage greatly influenced the creation of their government. It seems that their main goal was to avoid a centralized authority or King, especially since that is what some of them had fled. Additionally, they wanted to integrate the Norwegian tradition of laws and legal assemblies (aka Þing). This resulted in Iceland forming a unique government. Þingvellir – Once The Gathering Place of the Alþingi The gathering of Parliament members in Iceland from 930 to 1800 was an open air assembly on the plains of Þingvellir. While all free men could attend the assemblies, it was Iceland’s most powerful leaders, known as goðar or chieftains, that decided on legislation and providing justice for any law related claims brought before them. While legislation was top of mind during these assemblies, they were also the main social event of the year. Farmers, craftsmen, travelers, storytellers, traders, and the families of many of these people attended. Temporary camps, called búðir, were set up in Þingvellir for these assembly events.  The Icelandic Law Rock &amp; Law Speaker Lögberg, which translates to Law Rock, was the center of the assembly gatherings. An interesting fact is that the exact location of the lögberg is unknown today. You might be thinking, how is that possible? It is not as if this huge rock just moved. But in reality, that might have happened. Some of you that have visited Þingvellir or have heard about it on this show, are aware that this is one of the areas in Iceland where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowly shifting a part by 2cm each year. This area is known as a rift valley. Over the more than 1000 years of shifts in the geography have made it difficult to pinpoint exactly where the Lögberg was located. There are two possible locations but this will remain a mystery until someone is able to prove it.  The lögsögumaður or lawspeaker had a seat on the Law Rock and this person was the official of the assembly. The assemblies were called to order and dissolved at the Law Rock. The lawspeaker, 39 Cheiftains that had their own districts and nine other members made up the Lögrétta, which was the legislative part of the assembly. Not surprisingly, this section of the Althingi was very powerful. They adopted new laws, dealt with legal conflicts, and granted exemptions to existing laws. The Althingi of the past also had a judicial function that listened to legal disputes. As the parliament evolved, judges were appointed by the chieftains in the Lögrétta (Court of Legislature).  From Commonwealth to Being Ruled by A Monarch When the Althingi was formed, Iceland was set up as a commonwealth or a free state. In 1262, that came to an end because Icelanders submitted to the authority of  Haakon IV, King of Norway. This happened under the terms of the gamli sáttmáli or Old Covenant. Like you, I wondered why would Icelanders give up their free state to be ruled by a monarch, so I dug a little deeper to find out. Before the signing of the covenant, there were civil disputes happening in the country.  For about 44 years in the 13th century a family called the Sturlungs were one of the powerful families causing wars and violent conflicts among Chieftains. The main reason this was happening was because behind the scenes, the Norwegian King was trying to exert his influence through Icelandic family clans. The Sturlungs and Gissur Þorvaldsson were essentially agents of the Norwegian monarch and they were wreaking havoc on Icelandic society. This time period came to be known as the Age of the Sturlungs. The tales are so epic that a saga called the Sturlunga Saga was written. The end of this treacherous age happened when the Old Covenant was signed. Iceland thus became unified with Norway.  Under the Old Covenant, goðars no longer ruled the country and all of the executive power was shifted over to the Monarch. However, the Lögrétta, or Court of Legislature, continued to function and it shared legislature power with the king. Any laws that were adopted had to be approved by the Monarch. If the Monarch decided to initiate legislation, the Lögrétta (which is pretty much a revised Althingi) had to approve it. Two legal administrators called lögmenn replaced the Lawspeaker.  Under this new set up, Icelanders had to pay taxes to the monarch. In return, they received a code of laws, transportation, shipping between Iceland and Norway, as well as peace. Additionally, Norwegians and Icelanders received equal rights in each other’s countries. Another positive aspect to this union is that it strengthened the trading between the two countries and the settlement of Iceland expanded.  Alþingi Comes to An End Under Danish Rule This union eventually led to Iceland and Norway being united with Denmark towards the end of the 14th century. The reason for this is that the death of Olav IV of Norway meant that the male royal line had ended. Norway then became part of the Kalmar Union with Sweden and Denmark. Because Denmark had the dominant power, Iceland lost all of its autonomy to the Danish crown, including the legislation powers it had when it united with Norway. The most unfortunate part of this change was that Denmark didn’t need Iceland’s homespun wool or fish, a huge deficit in Icelandic trade was created. Sadly, Iceland became one of the poorest countries in Europe at the time. The Alþingi was reduced to only acting as a court of law until 1800. That same year, a royal decree dissolved the Alþingi and a new High Court was created in Reykjavík. It took over the function of the former Lögrétta, which is a court of legislation. It was the predecessor to the Supreme Court in Iceland, which was established in 1920.   A New Alþing Is Established While it seemed that the Alþingi was gone forever, like a phoenix it rose from the ashes. 43 years after it had been dissolved, another royal decree was handed down to establish a new Althingi in 1843. After elections were held in 1844, the 26 members met on the first of July 1845. Twenty of the electoral districts had elected one member each and the remaining six were “royally nominated members” that the king had selected.  A session of the Icelandic parliament lasted four weeks but, if necessary, it could be extended. Unfortunately, the group was not more than a consultative body for the Danish monarch. Some of their tasks were looking over proposed legislation. Any proposals that were adopted were called petitions. Even with these restrictions, the new Althing made improvement to legislation in the country. Nationalism in Iceland Leads to a Constitution  In the 19th century, many Icelanders that had been educated in Denmark came back to their home island and sparked an independence movement. The demand for more civil rights was also spreading in mainland Europe. While the Danish tried to pass legislation that basically ignored requests by Icelandic people, the king of Denmark was eventually forced to meet the demands of the nationalists and liberals in the country.  At the National Assembly in 1851, the absolute monarch was repealed and a constitutional monarchy was established. Iceland was granted six seats in the Danish Parliament. The Danes put forth a bill that would have made the Danish Constitution from 1849 valid in Iceland. This meant that the elected Danish parliament would take power over the most important issues.The Icelanders were not happy with this.  While Iceland had been under Danish rule, Icelandic people had pretty much been ruling themselves when it came to domestic matters. Now, all matters would fall under the parliament. Jón Sigurðsson, the leader of the Icelandic Independence Movement, and the other Icelandic members protested against this at the assembly. The issue of Iceland’s constitution remain unresolved for decades following this event. 1874 was the millennial anniversary of the settlement of Iceland and festivities were held. The Danish King at the time, Christian IX attended the celebrations. During his visit, he granted Iceland its own constitution. That constitution is what the current constitution in the country is based on today. Under the constitution, the Alþingi had joint legislative power with the monarch regarding Icelandic matters. Additionally, Iceland’s National Treasury took over taxation and financial allocation. The king still had the right to veto, and he often used it. A New Set Up in Parliament The Alþing members increased to 36. While six were still appointed by the crown, the other 30 were elected in general elections. Eight were elected from single member districts and 22 were elected from 11 double member districts. The parliament was also divided into an upper chamber (efri deild) and a lower chamber (nedri deild). The upper chamber consisted of the six elected officials and the six members appointed by the crown. The remaining elected members sat in the lower chamber. The highest representative of the government at the time in Iceland was the General Governor (landshöfðingi).  Between 1880 and 1881, the Parliament House at Austurvöllur in Reykjavík was built. That same building is where the Alþing meets today.  Severing Ties With Denmark On the 1st of December in 1918, Iceland became a state in personal union with the Danish king. This agreement was called the Icelandic-Danish Act of Union. After 25 years, the agreement would expire and either state had the choice to leave the union at that time. Under this act, unrestricted legislative power was granted to the Althingi. Over time the number of members of the Althingi increased to 52.  World War II marked a time for change in Iceland. Due to Denmark being occupied by Germany in 1940, the union was no longer in effect. The day after the occupation happened, the Althingi passed two resolutions. One was that the Icelandic cabinet now had the power of the Head of State. The other was that Iceland accepted full responsibility for coastal surveillance and foreign policy.  On June 17, 1944 The Republic of Iceland was established. In the decades following many changes happened. The number of members was increased to 63 and the system of electoral districts was drastically changed. The voting age was lowered to 20 years old in 1969, but in 1984 it was lowered again to 18 years of age. Another major change is that the assembly now only has one chamber, which is known as a unicameral legislature, and twelve standing committees. That change was introduced in May 1991. How Power is Distributed in the Icelandic Government Today the Icelandic government is a constitutional republic with a multi-party system. Most people know that Iceland has a President but what they might not know is that the position makes that person the head of state. While the President does have legislative power, it is shared with Parliament, who exercises executive power. Parliament is led by the Prime Minister. The judiciary is independent of the legislature and the executive. Anyone that is eligible to vote can run for a seat in parliament. The only exemptions are the President and the judges of the Supreme Court. While the President is determined by popular vote every four years, the legislature are elected by proportional representation every four years.  The President formally appoints the Prime Minister. After the election, a leader of a political party is given authority by the President to form a cabinet, which is made up of different party members. Even though Iceland has a multi-party system, it is set up so that no one party can gain power alone. The parties must work with each other to form coalition governments.  The cabinet of ministers stays in power until the next election in four years or if a new government is formed.  It has happened that new governments were formed before the four year term was up, especially following the economic meltdown in 2008. Icelandic Political Parties The following parties are represented in the Althingi as of right now: The Independence Party The Left Green Movement The Social Democratic Alliance The Centre Party The Progressive Party The Pirate Party  The People’s Party  The Reform Party  While there is a lot more to talk about regarding the Icelandic government, including scandals, I will leave that for another episode. However, now that you have a pretty thorough background of the history of the Icelandic government and political landscape. Random Fact of the Episode  The current Prime Minister is Katrín Jakobsdóttir. She is the second female Prime Minister in Icelandic history. The first was Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir. Additionally, she was the first openly lesbian head of government in the world. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was the first elected female president in the world.  Icelandic Word of the Episode Stjórnarskrá – constitution  Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:  Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter  Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega

<p>The history of the Icelandic government, also known as Alþingi (pronounced “Althingi”), dates back to the 900s. This episode breaks down the evolution of the government in this country from the very beginning to present day.</p> <p></p> <h2>The World’s Oldest Surviving Parliament </h2> <p>In previous episodes, I have mentioned the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/?s=al%C3%BEingi" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Alþingi</a>, which is the the Icelandic parliament. It was founded in 930 at Þingvellir, which is now part of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Circle_(Iceland)" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Golden Circle</a> and is one of the most historically important sites in the country. Iceland claims that the Althingi is the oldest surviving parliament in the world. Because of the history and unique geology in the area, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%9Eingvellir" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Þingvellir</a> became a National Park on the 1000th year anniversary of the Althingi in 1930. In 2004, the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. </p> <p>Because most of the settlers in Iceland during the 900s were Norwegian, their heritage greatly influenced the creation of their government. It seems that their main goal was to avoid a centralized authority or King, especially since that is what some of them had fled. Additionally, they wanted to integrate the Norwegian tradition of laws and legal assemblies (aka Þing). This resulted in Iceland forming a <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/3014256?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unique government</a>.</p> <h2>Þingvellir – Once The Gathering Place of the Alþingi</h2> <p>The gathering of Parliament members in Iceland from 930 to 1800 was an open air assembly on the plains of Þingvellir. While all free men could attend the assemblies, it was Iceland’s most powerful leaders, known as goðar or chieftains, that decided on legislation and providing justice for any law related claims brought before them. While legislation was top of mind during these assemblies, they were also the main social event of the year. Farmers, craftsmen, travelers, storytellers, traders, and the families of many of these people attended. Temporary camps, called búðir, were set up in Þingvellir for these assembly events. </p> <h2>The Icelandic Law Rock &amp; Law Speaker</h2> <p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%B6gberg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lögberg</a>, which translates to Law Rock, was the center of the assembly gatherings. An interesting fact is that the exact location of the lögberg is unknown today. You might be thinking, how is that possible? It is not as if this huge rock just moved. But in reality, that might have happened. Some of you that have visited Þingvellir or have heard about it on this show, are aware that this is one of the areas in Iceland where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowly shifting a part by 2cm each year. This area is known as a rift valley. Over the more than 1000 years of shifts in the geography have made it difficult to pinpoint exactly where the Lögberg was located. There are two possible locations but this will remain a mystery until someone is able to prove it. </p> <p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawspeaker" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lögsögumaður</a> or lawspeaker had a seat on the Law Rock and this person was the official of the assembly. The assemblies were called to order and dissolved at the Law Rock. The lawspeaker, 39 Cheiftains that had their own districts and nine other members made up the Lögrétta, which was the legislative part of the assembly. Not surprisingly, this section of the Althingi was very powerful. They adopted new laws, dealt with legal conflicts, and granted exemptions to existing laws.</p> <p>The Althingi of the past also had a judicial function that listened to legal disputes. As the parliament evolved, judges were appointed by the chieftains in the Lögrétta (Court of Legislature). </p> <h2>From Commonwealth to Being Ruled by A Monarch</h2> <p>When the Althingi was formed, Iceland was set up as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_Commonwealth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">commonwealth</a> or a free state. In 1262, that came to an end because Icelanders submitted to the authority of  <em>Haakon IV, King of Norway</em>. This happened under the terms of the gamli sáttmáli or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Covenant_(Iceland)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Old Covenant</a>. Like you, I wondered why would Icelanders give up their free state to be ruled by a monarch, so I dug a little deeper to find out. Before the signing of the covenant, there were civil disputes happening in the country. </p> <p>For about 44 years in the 13th century a family called the Sturlungs were one of the powerful families causing wars and violent conflicts among Chieftains. The main reason this was happening was because behind the scenes, the Norwegian King was trying to exert his influence through Icelandic family clans. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturlungar_family_clan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sturlungs</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gissur_%C3%9Eorvaldsson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gissur Þorvaldsson</a> were essentially agents of the Norwegian monarch and they were wreaking havoc on Icelandic society. This time period came to be known as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_the_Sturlungs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Age of the Sturlungs</a>. The tales are so epic that a saga called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturlunga_saga" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sturlunga Saga</a> was written. The end of this treacherous age happened when the Old Covenant was signed. Iceland thus became unified with Norway. </p> <p>Under the Old Covenant, goðars no longer ruled the country and all of the executive power was shifted over to the Monarch. However, the Lögrétta, or Court of Legislature, continued to function and it shared legislature power with the king. Any laws that were adopted had to be approved by the Monarch. If the Monarch decided to initiate legislation, the Lögrétta (which is pretty much a revised Althingi) had to approve it. Two legal administrators called lögmenn replaced the Lawspeaker. </p> <p>Under this new set up, Icelanders had to pay taxes to the monarch. In return, they received a code of laws, transportation, shipping between Iceland and Norway, as well as peace. Additionally, Norwegians and Icelanders received equal rights in each other’s countries. Another positive aspect to this union is that it strengthened the trading between the two countries and the <a href="http://cphpost.dk/news/forget-the-crisis-iceland-survived-500-years-of-danish-rule.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">settlement of Iceland expanded</a>. </p> <h2>Alþingi Comes to An End Under Danish Rule</h2> <p>This union eventually led to Iceland and Norway being united with Denmark towards the end of the 14th century. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_independence_movement" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">reason </a>for this is that the death of Olav IV of Norway meant that the male royal line had ended. Norway then became part of the Kalmar Union with Sweden and Denmark. Because Denmark had the dominant power, Iceland lost all of its autonomy to the Danish crown, including the legislation powers it had when it united with Norway. The most unfortunate part of this change was that Denmark didn’t need Iceland’s homespun wool or fish, a huge deficit in Icelandic trade was created. Sadly, Iceland became one of the poorest countries in Europe at the time.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.althingi.is/pdf/enska.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alþingi </a>was reduced to only acting as a court of law until 1800. That same year, a royal decree dissolved the Alþingi and a new High Court was created in Reykjavík. It took over the function of the former Lögrétta, which is a court of legislation. It was the predecessor to the Supreme Court in Iceland, which was established in 1920.  </p> <h2>A New Alþing Is Established</h2> <p>While it seemed that the Alþingi was gone forever, like a phoenix it rose from the ashes. 43 years after it had been dissolved, another royal decree was handed down to establish a new Althingi in 1843. After elections were held in 1844, the 26 members met on the first of July 1845.</p> <p>Twenty of the electoral districts had elected one member each and the remaining six were “royally nominated members” that the king had selected. </p> <p>A session of the Icelandic parliament lasted four weeks but, if necessary, it could be extended. Unfortunately, the group was not more than a consultative body for the Danish monarch. Some of their tasks were looking over proposed legislation. Any proposals that were adopted were called petitions. Even with these restrictions, the new Althing made improvement to legislation in the country.</p> <h2>Nationalism in Iceland Leads to a Constitution </h2> <p>In the 19th century, many Icelanders that had been educated in Denmark came back to their home island and sparked <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_independence_movement" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">an independence movement</a>. The demand for more civil rights was also spreading in mainland Europe. While the Danish tried to pass legislation that basically ignored requests by Icelandic people, the king of Denmark was eventually forced to meet the demands of the nationalists and liberals in the country. </p> <p>At the National Assembly in 1851, the absolute monarch was repealed and a constitutional monarchy was established. Iceland was granted six seats in the Danish Parliament. The Danes put forth a bill that would have made the Danish Constitution from 1849 valid in Iceland. This meant that the elected Danish parliament would take power over the most important issues.The Icelanders were not happy with this. </p> <p>While Iceland had been under Danish rule, Icelandic people had pretty much been ruling themselves when it came to domestic matters. Now, all matters would fall under the parliament. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3n_Sigur%C3%B0sson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jón Sigurðsson</a>, the leader of the Icelandic Independence Movement, and the other Icelandic members protested against this at the assembly. The issue of Iceland’s constitution remain unresolved for decades following this event.</p> <p>1874 was the millennial anniversary of the settlement of Iceland and festivities were held. The Danish King at the time, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_IX_of_Denmark" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christian IX</a> attended the celebrations. During his visit, he granted Iceland its own constitution. That constitution is what the current constitution in the country is based on today.</p> <p>Under the constitution, the Alþingi had joint legislative power with the monarch regarding Icelandic matters. Additionally, Iceland’s National Treasury took over taxation and financial allocation. The king still had the right to veto, and he often used it.</p> <h2>A New Set Up in Parliament</h2> <p>The Alþing members increased to 36. While six were still appointed by the crown, the other 30 were elected in general elections. Eight were elected from single member districts and 22 were elected from 11 double member districts. The parliament was also divided into an upper chamber (efri deild) and a lower chamber (nedri deild). The upper chamber consisted of the six elected officials and the six members appointed by the crown. The remaining elected members sat in the lower chamber. The highest representative of the government at the time in Iceland was the General Governor <em>(landshöfðingi</em>). </p> <p>Between 1880 and 1881, the Parliament House at Austurvöllur in Reykjavík was built. That same building is where the Alþing meets today. </p> <h2>Severing Ties With Denmark</h2> <p>On the 1st of December in 1918, Iceland became a state in personal union with the Danish king. This agreement was called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish%E2%80%93Icelandic_Act_of_Union" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Icelandic-Danish Act of Union</a>. After 25 years, the agreement would expire and either state had the choice to leave the union at that time. Under this act, unrestricted legislative power was granted to the Althingi. Over time the number of members of the Althingi increased to 52. </p> <p>World War II marked a time for change in Iceland. Due to Denmark being <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark_in_World_War_II" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">occupied by Germany</a> in 1940, the union was no longer in effect. The day after the occupation happened, the Althingi passed two resolutions. One was that the Icelandic cabinet now had the power of the Head of State. The other was that Iceland accepted full responsibility for coastal surveillance and foreign policy.  On June 17, 1944 The Republic of Iceland was established.</p> <p>In the decades following many changes happened. The number of members was increased to 63 and the system of electoral districts was drastically changed. The voting age was lowered to 20 years old in 1969, but in 1984 it was lowered again to 18 years of age. Another major change is that the assembly now only has one chamber, which is known as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicameralism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unicameral </a>legislature, and twelve standing committees. That change was introduced in May 1991.</p> <h2>How Power is Distributed in the Icelandic Government</h2> <p>Today the Icelandic government is a <a href="https://www.government.is/topics/governance-and-national-symbols/how-is-iceland-governed/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">constitutional republic </a>with a multi-party system. Most people know that Iceland has a President but what they might not know is that the position makes that person the head of state. While the President does have legislative power, it is shared with Parliament, who exercises executive power. Parliament is led by the Prime Minister. The judiciary is independent of the legislature and the executive.</p> <p>Anyone that is eligible to vote can run for a seat in parliament. The only exemptions are the President and the judges of the Supreme Court. While the President is determined by popular vote every four years, the legislature are elected by proportional representation every four years. </p> <p>The President formally appoints the Prime Minister. After the election, a leader of a political party is given authority by the President to form a cabinet, which is made up of different party members. Even though Iceland has a multi-party system, it is set up so that no one party can gain power alone. The parties must work with each other to form coalition governments. </p> <p>The cabinet of ministers stays in power until the next election in four years or if a new government is formed. </p> <p>It has happened that new governments were formed before the four year term was up, especially following the economic meltdown in 2008.</p> <h2>Icelandic Political Parties</h2> <p>The following parties are represented in the Althingi as of right now:</p> <p>The Independence Party</p> <p>The Left Green Movement</p> <p>The Social Democratic Alliance</p> <p>The Centre Party</p> <p>The Progressive Party</p> <p>The Pirate Party </p> <p>The People’s Party </p> <p>The Reform Party </p> <p>While there is a lot more to talk about regarding the Icelandic government, including scandals, I will leave that for another episode. However, now that you have a pretty thorough background of the history of the Icelandic government and political landscape.</p> <h2>Random Fact of the Episode </h2> <p>The current Prime Minister is <a href="https://www.althingi.is/altext/cv/en/?nfaerslunr=109" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Katrín Jakobsdóttir</a>. She is the second female Prime Minister in Icelandic history. The first was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3hanna_Sigur%C3%B0ard%C3%B3ttir" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir</a>. Additionally, she was the first openly lesbian head of government in the world.</p> <p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigd%C3%ADs_Finnbogad%C3%B3ttir" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Vigdís Finnbogadóttir</a> was the first elected female president in the world. </p> <h2>Icelandic Word of the Episode</h2> <p>Stjórnarskrá – constitution </p> <h2>Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromforeigntofamiliar/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCacXXvaNHJQhMYU7f77OrBA" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/jewellschambers" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega</p>

Althingi – Icelandic Government & Politics From Creation to Present Day: Ep. 47

Ásatrú, an Old Norse paganism, has become the fastest growing non-Christian religion in Iceland. When most people think of this country, religion is not normally what pops into their minds. However, over 75% of the Icelandic population are registered as members of a religious organization.   Later, in the random fact of the episode, I share the number of Icelanders belonging to the top five religious organizations in the country. When &amp; Why Was Ásatrú Founded Paganism was once the norm in Iceland. In fact, the majority of the settlers that came to Iceland in the 900s were members of Ásatrú. However, the spread of Christianity drastically diminished its members and Christianity became the official religion of the country in the year 1000. While the Alþingi declared that Christianity would be the only religion in Iceland, people were still allowed to practice the old religion, just as long as they did it in secret.  The re-recognition of Ásatrú in Iceland came about in 1973 and the journey to that recognition is quite fascinating. Four men named Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson, Jörmundur Ingi Hansen, Dagur Þorleifsson and Þorsteinn Guðjónsson met in a cafe in Reykjavík during winter in 1972. That is when they came up with the idea to found a folk religion. It is believed that the start of this religion was due in part to the counter cultural and religious sentiments at the time. Additionally, nationalism, and interest in spiritism and elves created a near perfect environment for the resurgence of Ásatrú.  Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson, who later became the first high priest of the re-emerged Ásatrú, believed that the religion was based on a belief of hidden forces in the land. He also felt that Icelanders had a desire to have their own religion and that they should support it just as much as they do imported religions. Ásatrú, in many ways, was a movement back to nature in a time where the negative effects of being an industrialized civilization were rearing their ugly head.Sveinbjörn BeinteinssonThe Road to Recognition To gain recognition of Ásatrú as an official religion in Iceland, Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson and Þorsteinn Guðjónsson met with Ólafur Jóhannesson, the minister of justice and ecclesiastical affairs, in Iceland, right before Christmas in 1972. At first, the minister thought they were joking but once he realized that they weren’t, he requested more paperwork. A funny occurrence that goes along with this story is that when Sveinbjörn and Þorsteinn left the minister, a thunderstorm caused the lights in the center of Reykjavík to go out. According to an article in Vísir at that time, the paper joked that Þór, the God of Thunder, was showing his dissatisfaction with the vague answers that Sveinbjörn and Þorsteinn had received. The most notable opposition to the re-recognition of the religion came from the Bishop of Iceland, Sigurbjörn Einarsson. He went on to publish his opinion in Morgunblaðið, which pointed out that the Icelandic constitution did grant everyone the right to “found organizations to serve god but that this assumed a monotheistic outlook.” The Bishop also criticized the organization for having vague teachings and no house of worship.  He took his criticism even further by trying to connect the Ásatrú to the racial ideology of Nazi Germany and the re-emergence in the belief of German folklore during that time. The Bishop was essentially calling into question the moral teachings of the organization. Lastly, he felt that since there were only 21 people seeking recognition, they were quite small. Morgunblaðið, the country’s biggest newspaper agreed with him and put out a very bold statement. They stated that Christianity was the “basis of Icelandic society” and that “Christ is enough, though he was not enough for Hitler, Stalin or their followers”. Fighting for the Right For Ásatrú to Be Recognized The members of Ásatrú replied to the bishop’s criticism by saying that Christianity has some polytheistic elements and that their religion could include a belief in a Supreme Being. They also expressed that it was highly improbable that a member of Ásatrú had been associated with the Third Reich. However, they know for a fact that many Christian sects had cooperated with the Nazis.  In the end, the Bishop and Morgunblaðið’s opinions did not prevent Ásatrú from being officially recognized. They were granted the title of a religious organization by the Icelandic government in May 1973. With this recognition, they have the legal right to perform marriages and other ceremonies. They are also entitled to a share of church tax, which is calculated based on the number of adult members.  Unfortunately, the drama didn’t end there. Two members of the Independence Party, also known as Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn, requested an explanation as to why Ásatrú had been given legal recognition. Ólafur, the minister that granted the recognition, defended his decision by saying that the constitution granted freedom of religion and freedom of association.  According to Independence party members, recognizing a polytheistic religion and idol worship was in direct opposition to the constitution because freedom of religion only applied to monotheistic religions. The minister essentially stated that the constitution’s stance on this particular matter had been up for debate by legal scholars. Because it was not crystal clear that the Icelandic constitution only applied to monotheistic religions, the recognition of Ásatrú as a religion was upheld. A couple of years later in 1975, the Alþingi, or parliament in Iceland, changed the law so that it became more difficult for new religious organizations to gain recognition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P4H-kk8r1U What Makes Ásatrú So Unique Now that you have a little backstory on when and how Ásatrú was created, I think it is interesting to share why this religion is unique. Besides being the religion of the Vikings and polytheistic, there are other aspects to the religion that set it apart from Christianity.   The Beliefs of the Religion One thing that I was pleasantly surprised by while learning about this religion is that it is one of peace and tolerance. They do not believe in glorifying heroism, battles, blood or militarism. As you can tell, it is quite different than the Viking version of this religion that was practiced during the settlement times. Because it is so open and philosophical, some people feel it is similar to Unitarian Universalism. However, Ásatrú focuses on keeping harmony with nature and the search for harmony in one’s life. Unlike most religions, they don’t have a prescribed scripture or dogma. If you feel the need to read something, they will encourage you to read the Poetic and Prose Eddas written by Snorri Sturluson. There is no praying to gods and the gods are not seen as perfect or divine. In fact, the gods don’t judge you and could even be seen as friends. What is also fascinating is that Ásatrú’s growth has not been from members trying to directly convert others to follow. The high priest of the religion believes that people will want to join if they learn about the organization and see their ceremonies. Here is what the current high priest Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson said about his faith in an interview in 2003:  I believe in a higher power which appears to us in the multiplicity of nature and of human life. We have manifestations of certain primal forces which we regard as gods and we have a division in the roles of the gods. These are powers that are visible, half-visible and sometimes invisible. One could have a long scholarly discussion on the role of individual gods, but in the end this is a question of a feeling for the different aspects of life. Hilmar Örn hilmarsson In 2010, he was quoted as saying:  “ Monotheism is one truth for the masses, but polytheism is many truths for the individual. ” Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson How It Is Set Up The setup of the organization is that it has one high priest, called a Allsherjargoði or The Goði of All, and there are 10 Goðar, which are priests that oversee congregations in different geographical regions of the country. The second highest office in the religion is Kjalnesingagoði, which is “The Goði of Kjalarnesþing”. If you’ve had the chance to listen to my podcast episode about Ingólfur Arnarson, the first settler of Iceland, you might recall that he owned Kjalarnes, which is basically what is known as the greater metro area of Reykjavík. A Goði can perform all religious ceremonies, including marriages, funerals and blót.  So far, there have been four Allsherjargoðar or High Priests. As mentioned earlier, Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson was the first. In the beginning the organization had a lot of ambition and some pretty big goals. Some of their goals included building a temple and getting a burial ground. However, enthusiasm waned due to slow growth in membership. From 1973 to 1985, it had only grown by 16 members. Fortunately for them, by 1992, membership had risen to 119. Growth &amp; Drama Within The Organization When Sveinbjörn died in 1993, elections were held for a new Allsherjargoði. Jörmundur Ingi Hensen won against Haukur Halldórsson with 59 votes vs 34. Under Jörmundur Ingi the religion saw major growth in membership. In 2002, the membership number reached 628. During this time, the percentage of female members rose from 13% in 1994 and 21% in 2002. The religion also achieved its biggest goal of gaining a burial ground in 1999. Jörnumdur Ingi designed it and the first burial took place that year.  Unfortunately, with growth came internal disputes. In 2002, Jörmundur Ingi was fired by the board of directors. They installed Jónína Krístin Berg as the temporary replacement. Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson was chosen in 2003 and is currently the high priest of Ásatrú. Under his leadership, membership numbers grew to 4126 in 2018, making it the fastest growing non-Christian religion in Iceland.  Ceremonies &amp; Rituals The different congregations of Ásatrú hosts meetings every week, which are open to the public.  However, their big ceremonies are called blót. In previous episodes, specifically episodes 23, 25 and 28, I brought up Þórrablót, which is the Icelandic mid-winter festival. While that festival is one that the religion holds, there are four main ones each year. Jólablót (Yule blót) is held on the winter solstice. Sigurblót (Victory blót) is held on the first day of summer, also known as sumardagurinn fyrsti. Lastly, veturnáttablót (winter nights blót) is held on the first day of winter. There are local blóts that goðar, or priests, hold for their individual congregations for various occasions. Random Fact of the Episode According to data from 2018, Iceland has five religious congregations where the number of members includes 1% of the population or more. The largest religious congregation is the National Church, which has 233,062 or about 66% of the population. The second is the Catholic Church of Iceland, which has 13,799 members or about 4% of the population.  The third is the Free Church of Reykjavík, which has 9,866 members or 2.8% of the population. The fourth is the Free Church of Hafnarfjörður, which has 6,946 members or 2% of the population. Lastly, is Ásatrúarfélagið, which has about 4,349 or 1.2% of the population. None of the other religions in Iceland have more than 1% of the population as its members. Icelandic word of the Day Ásatrúarfélagið – The Ásatrú fellowship. Ásatrú means faith of the Æsir.  Æsir is a group of gods, and some of them include Odin, Frigg, Þór, Baldur and Týr. I hope you enjoyed listening to this episode of All Things Iceland. I upload a new episode every week, so make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss them. If you want to connect with me, see when new episodes are published and check out my adventures in Iceland and abroad, check out the links to my social media channels below. Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:  Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter  Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega

<p><a href="https://asatru.is/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ásatrú</a>, an Old Norse paganism, has become the <a href="https://asatru.is/felagafjoldi" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">fastest growing non-Christian religion</a> in Iceland. When most people think of this country, religion is not normally what pops into their minds. However, over 75% of the Icelandic population are registered as members of a religious organization. </p> <p></p> <p>Later, in the random fact of the episode, I share the number of Icelanders belonging to the top five religious organizations in the country.</p> <h2>When &amp; Why Was Ásatrú Founded</h2> <p>Paganism was once the norm in Iceland. In fact, the majority of the settlers that came to Iceland in the 900s were members of Ásatrú. However, the spread of Christianity drastically diminished its members and Christianity became the official religion of the country in the year 1000. While the <a href="https://www.althingi.is/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Alþingi </a>declared that Christianity would be the only religion in Iceland, people were still allowed to practice the old religion, just as long as they did it in secret. </p> <p>The re-recognition of Ásatrú in Iceland came about in 1973 and the journey to that recognition is quite fascinating. Four men named Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson, Jörmundur Ingi Hansen, Dagur Þorleifsson and Þorsteinn Guðjónsson met in a cafe in Reykjavík during winter in 1972. That is when they came up with the idea to found a folk religion. It is believed that the start of this religion was due in part to the counter cultural and religious sentiments at the time. Additionally, nationalism, and interest in spiritism and elves created a near perfect environment for the resurgence of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritism" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ásatrú</a>. </p> <p>Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson, who later became the first high priest of the re-emerged Ásatrú, believed that the religion was based on a belief of hidden forces in the land. He also felt that Icelanders had a desire to have their own religion and that they should support it just as much as they do imported religions. Ásatrú, in many ways, was a movement back to nature in a time where the negative effects of being an industrialized civilization were rearing their ugly head.</p>Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson<br><h2>The Road to Recognition</h2> <p>To gain recognition of Ásatrú as an official religion in Iceland, Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson and Þorsteinn Guðjónsson met with Ólafur Jóhannesson, the minister of justice and ecclesiastical affairs, in Iceland, right before Christmas in 1972. At first, the minister thought they were joking but once he realized that they weren’t, he requested more paperwork. A funny occurrence that goes along with this story is that when Sveinbjörn and Þorsteinn left the minister, a thunderstorm caused the lights in the center of Reykjavík to go out. According to an <a href="http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3246644&amp;issId=238186&amp;lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">article in Vísir</a> at that time, the paper joked that Þór, the God of Thunder, was showing his dissatisfaction with the vague answers that Sveinbjörn and Þorsteinn had received.</p> <p>The most notable opposition to the re-recognition of the religion came from the Bishop of Iceland, Sigurbjörn Einarsson. He went on to publish his opinion in <a href="http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=1449074&amp;issId=115755&amp;lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Morgunblaðið</a>, which pointed out that the Icelandic constitution did grant everyone the right to “found organizations to serve god but that this assumed a monotheistic outlook.” The Bishop also criticized the organization for having vague teachings and no house of worship. </p> <p>He took his criticism even further by trying to connect the Ásatrú to the racial ideology of Nazi Germany and the re-emergence in the belief of German folklore during that time. The Bishop was essentially calling into question the moral teachings of the organization. Lastly, he felt that since there were only 21 people seeking recognition, they were quite small. <a href="https://www.mbl.is/frettir/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Morgunblaðið</a>, the country’s biggest newspaper agreed with him and put out a very bold statement. <a href="http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=1449074&amp;issId=115755&amp;lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">They stated</a> that Christianity was the “basis of Icelandic society” and that “Christ is enough, though he was not enough for Hitler, Stalin or their followers”.</p> <h2>Fighting for the Right For Ásatrú to Be Recognized</h2> <p>The members of Ásatrú replied to the bishop’s criticism by saying that Christianity has some polytheistic elements and that their religion could include a belief in a Supreme Being. They also expressed that it was highly improbable that a member of Ásatrú had been associated with the Third Reich. However, they know for a fact that many Christian sects had cooperated with the Nazis. </p> <p>In the end, the Bishop and Morgunblaðið’s opinions did not prevent Ásatrú from being officially recognized. They were granted the title of a religious organization by the Icelandic government in May 1973. With this recognition, they have the legal right to perform marriages and other ceremonies. They are also entitled to a share of church tax, which is calculated based on the number of adult members. </p> <p>Unfortunately, the drama didn’t end there. Two members of the Independence Party, also known as <a href="https://xd.is/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn</a><em>,</em> requested an explanation as to why Ásatrú had been given legal recognition. Ólafur, the minister that granted the recognition, defended his decision by saying that the constitution granted freedom of religion and freedom of association. </p> <p>According to Independence party members, recognizing a polytheistic religion and idol worship was in direct opposition to the constitution because freedom of religion only applied to monotheistic religions. The minister essentially stated that the constitution’s stance on this particular matter had been up for debate by legal scholars. Because it was not crystal clear that the Icelandic constitution only applied to monotheistic religions, the recognition of <a href="http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=1448476&amp;issId=115737&amp;lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ásatrú as a religion was upheld</a>.</p> <p>A couple of years later in 1975, the Alþingi, or parliament in Iceland, changed the law so that it became more difficult for new religious organizations to gain recognition.</p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P4H-kk8r1U" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P4H-kk8r1U</a> <h2>What Makes Ásatrú So Unique</h2> <p>Now that you have a little backstory on when and how Ásatrú was created, I think it is interesting to share why this religion is unique. Besides being the religion of the Vikings and polytheistic, there are other aspects to the religion that set it apart from Christianity.  </p> <h2>The Beliefs of the Religion</h2> <p>One thing that I was pleasantly surprised by while learning about this religion is that it is one of peace and tolerance. They do not believe in glorifying heroism, battles, blood or militarism. As you can tell, it is quite different than the Viking version of this religion that was practiced during the settlement times.</p> <p>Because it is so open and philosophical, some people feel it is similar to Unitarian Universalism. However, Ásatrú focuses on keeping harmony with nature and the search for harmony in one’s life. Unlike most religions, they don’t have a prescribed scripture or dogma. If you feel the need to read something, they will encourage you to read the Poetic and Prose Eddas written by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snorri_Sturluson" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Snorri Sturluson</a>. There is no praying to gods and the gods are not seen as perfect or divine. In fact, the gods don’t judge you and could even be seen as friends.</p> <p>What is also fascinating is that Ásatrú’s growth has not been from members trying to directly convert others to follow. The high priest of the religion believes that people will want to join if they learn about the organization and see their ceremonies.</p> <p>Here is what the current high priest Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson said about his faith in an interview in 2003:</p> <blockquote> <p>I believe in a higher power which appears to us in the multiplicity of nature and of human life. We have manifestations of certain primal forces which we regard as gods and we have a division in the roles of the gods. These are powers that are visible, half-visible and sometimes invisible. One could have a long scholarly discussion on the role of individual gods, but in the end this is a question of a feeling for the different aspects of life.</p> <p><a href="http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=3461487&amp;issId=251154&amp;lang=en" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Hilmar Örn hilmarsson</a></p></blockquote> <p>In 2010, he was quoted as saying:</p> <blockquote> <p>“ Monotheism is one truth for the masses, but polytheism is many truths for the individual. ”</p> <p><a href="https://www.norsemyth.org/2011/06/interview-with-hilmar-orn-hilmarsson-of_30.html" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson</a></p></blockquote> <h3>How It Is Set Up</h3> <p>The setup of the organization is that it has one high priest, called a Allsherjargoði or The Goði of All, and there are 10 Goðar, which are priests that oversee congregations in different geographical regions of the country. The second highest office in the religion is Kjalnesingagoði, which is “The Goði of Kjalarnesþing”. If you’ve had the chance to listen to my podcast episode about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ing%C3%B3lfr_Arnarson" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ingólfur Arnarson</a>, the first settler of Iceland, you might recall that he owned Kjalarnes, which is basically what is known as the greater metro area of Reykjavík. A Goði can perform all religious ceremonies, including marriages, funerals and blót. </p> <p>So far, there have been four Allsherjargoðar or High Priests. As mentioned earlier, Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson was the first. In the beginning the organization had a lot of ambition and some pretty big goals. Some of their goals included building a temple and getting a burial ground. However, enthusiasm waned due to slow growth in membership. From 1973 to 1985, it had only grown by 16 members. Fortunately for them, by 1992, membership had risen to 119.</p> <h3>Growth &amp; Drama Within The Organization</h3> <p>When Sveinbjörn died in 1993, elections were held for a new Allsherjargoði. Jörmundur Ingi Hensen won against Haukur Halldórsson with 59 votes vs 34. Under Jörmundur Ingi the religion saw major growth in membership. In 2002, the membership number reached 628. During this time, the percentage of female members rose from 13% in 1994 and 21% in 2002. The religion also achieved its biggest goal of gaining a burial ground in 1999. Jörnumdur Ingi designed it and the first burial took place that year. </p> <p>Unfortunately, with growth came internal disputes. In 2002, Jörmundur Ingi was fired by the board of directors. They installed Jónína Krístin Berg as the temporary replacement. Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson was chosen in 2003 and is currently the high priest of Ásatrú. Under his leadership, membership numbers grew to 4126 in 2018, making it the <a href="http://px.hagstofa.is/pxen/pxweb/en/Samfelag/Samfelag__menning__5_trufelog/MAN10001.px" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fastest growing non-Christian</a> religion in Iceland. </p> <h3>Ceremonies &amp; Rituals</h3> <p>The different congregations of Ásatrú hosts meetings every week, which are open to the public.  However, their big ceremonies are called blót. In previous episodes, specifically episodes <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/icelandic-holidays-celebrations-traditions/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">23</a>, <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/10-popular-icelandic-foods/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">25</a> and <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/icelandic-food-culture/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">28</a>, I brought up Þórrablót, which is the Icelandic mid-winter festival. While that festival is one that the religion holds, there are four main ones each year. Jólablót (Yule blót) is held on the winter solstice. Sigurblót (Victory blót) is held on the first day of summer, also known as sumardagurinn fyrsti. Lastly, veturnáttablót (winter nights blót) is held on the first day of winter. There are <a href="https://asatru.is/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">local blóts</a> that goðar, or priests, hold for their individual congregations for various occasions.</p> <h2>Random Fact of the Episode</h2> <p>According to data <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Iceland" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">from 2018</a>, Iceland has five religious congregations where the number of members includes 1% of the population or more. The largest religious congregation is the National Church, which has 233,062 or about 66% of the population. The second is the Catholic Church of Iceland, which has 13,799 members or about 4% of the population. </p> <p>The third is the Free Church of Reykjavík, which has 9,866 members or 2.8% of the population. The fourth is the Free Church of Hafnarfjörður, which has 6,946 members or 2% of the population. Lastly, is Ásatrúarfélagið, which has about 4,349 or 1.2% of the population. None of the other religions in Iceland have more than 1% of the population as its members.</p> <h2>Icelandic word of the Day</h2> <p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81satr%C3%BAarf%C3%A9lagi%C3%B0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ásatrúarfélagið</a> – The Ásatrú fellowship. Ásatrú means faith of the Æsir.  <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86sir" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Æsir</a> is a group of gods, and some of them include Odin, Frigg, Þór, Baldur and Týr.</p> <p>I hope you enjoyed listening to this episode of All Things Iceland. I upload a new episode every week, so make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss them. If you want to connect with me, see when new episodes are published and check out my adventures in Iceland and abroad, check out the links to my social media channels below.</p> <h2>Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromforeigntofamiliar/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCacXXvaNHJQhMYU7f77OrBA" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/jewellschambers" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega</p>

Ásatrú – Iceland's Fastest Growing Non-Christian Religion

Even though, English is widely spoken in Iceland, I think these words and phrases will certainly come in handy if you plan to visit or if you already live here and want to learn the language.  Even if you don’t have Iceland on your bucket list, I find it is a fascinating language to listen to, especially since it has not evolved much since the 12th  century. For anyone that is curious about the history of the Icelandic language check out the podcast episode I did about it.  If you find yourself interested in learning more Icelandic words and phrases after listening to this episode, head over to my Instagram account @Foreign2familiar. I teach a new Icelandic word or phrase in my Instagram stories every day. Icelandic Letters That Are Not in the English Alphabet Before I jump into the useful phrases, I want to point out that there are some letters in Icelandic that do not exist in English and they are the following: Æ ö Ð – a “th” such as in weather þ – a”th” sound that is unvoiced Á Í Ý I am not going to go over every word in the Icelandic alphabet because that would make this episode much longer. However, I have included a cute Youtube video below about how to pronounce Icelandic letters. One simple rule to remember when saying Icelandic words is that the stress falls on the first syllable of a word. I am going to start off with the most widely used words and phrases that are helpful when you are interacting with a person that speaks Icelandic. Then, I will move on to words and phrases to know when at a restaurant. Following that are useful words if a problem arises (such as needing the police, if you are sick and so on).  The third section are words about common signs in Iceland. Lastly, are words for service places and titles of professionals that you might need, such as a doctor. Ok, now let’s jump into some Icelandic. Most Widely Used Words &amp; Phrases in Iceland Já – Yes Jú  – Yoo and it is used for answering a negative question Nei – No Góðan daginn or Goðan dag  – Good morning or Good afternoon. Commonly used at any time before 6 PM Sæll – Hello (informal, to a man). Sæl – Hello (informal, to a woman). Hæ – Hi (pronounced just like the English word) Gott kvöld or Goða kvöldið – Good evening – commonly used after 6 PM Ég heiti ______ – My name is ______ Gaman að kynnast þér – Nice to meet you. Hvað segirðu gott? – How are you? or literally What say you good? Ég segi allt gott, þakka þér fyrir – Fine, thank you. Hvað heitirðu?  – What is your name? Ég er frá – I am from Weirdly enough, Icelandic people don’t have a word for “please”. The closest word they have is vinsamlegast, which means kindly. Gjörðu svo vel, (to one person) or Gerið þið svo vel (to many people) – Here you are or if you please Takk fyrir or Takk – Thank you. Ekkert að þakka or Ekkert mál – You’re welcome. Afsakið – Excuse me, (getting someone’s attention). Fyrirgefðu – Excuse me, (begging pardon). Ha? – I’m sorry, if you didn’t hear what they said Því miður – I’m sorry, (regretful) Bless or bless bless – Goodbye Bæ – Bye Góða nótt – Good night. Sofðu vel – Sleep well Ég skil ekki – I don’t understand. Gætirðu talað hægar? – Could you speak more slowly? Ég tala ekki íslensku- I can’t speak Icelandic Ég tala ekki íslensku svo vel – I can’t speak Icelandic so well Talarðu ensku? – Do you speak English? Er einhver hér sem talar ensku? – Is there someone here who speaks English? Hvernig segir maður _____ á íslensku? – How do you say _____ in Icelandic? Ég tala ensku, spænsku, þysku, og smá íslensku – I speak English, Spanish, German and a little Icelandic. Ok – Allt í lagí or ókei (used among the younger generations) Hvar er klósettið? – Where is the toilet? Hvar er _______ ? – Where is _______? Hvað kostar það? – What does it cost? Interacting at a Restaurant  Ég ætla að fá…  – I would like… Áttu til…?  – Have you got any…? Meira  – More Meira takk – More, thanks or more, please Ekki meira takk  – No more, thank you Mjög gott  – Very good Ég er grænmetisæta  – I am vegetarian Ég er vegan – I am  vegan I am vegan. Well more aptly, I am a plant based eater and have been for almost 5 years. I have no issues with finding food in Iceland. In fact, many restaurants have vegan options on the menu. If you are not sure, just call the restaurant to make sure. Reikninginn, takk   – The bill, please Skál – cheers! Menu / Food Matseðill  – Menu Forréttir  – Starters or appetizers Súpa – Soup Brauð – Bread Smjör – Butter Sósa  – Sauce Kjötréttir  Meat Dishes Hangikjöt –   Smoked lamb Svínakjöt –   Pork Kjöt –  Meat Lambakjöt – Lamb Nautakjöt –   Beef Kjúklingur – Chicken Fiskréttir  – Fish Dishes Fiskur – Fish Þorskur – Cod Lax –  Salmon ýsa –  Haddock Lúda –  Halibut Rækjur – Prawns or shrimp Silungur/Bleikja –  Trout Grænmeti  Vegetables  Kartöflur –   Potatoes Franskar –  fries or chips Blómkál –  Cauliflower Grænar baunir –  Peas Rauðkál –  Red cabbage Sveppir – Mushrooms Gulrætur –  Carrots Salat –  Salad Agurka -Cucumber Tomat – tomato Eftirréttir  Desserts ís  – Ice-cream Kaka/Terta –  Cake Drykkir  Drinks Te –  Tea Kaffi – Coffee Mjólk – Milk Sykur  – Sugar Appelsínusafi – Orange juice Bjór –  Beer Pilsner – Low-alcohol beer Hvítvín – White wine Rauðvín – Red wine Vatn –  Water Kampavín – champagne Communicating a Problem Hjálp! – Help! Varúð!- Look out! Farðu í burtu. Or just “farðu” – Leave me alone. Ekki snerta mig! – Don’t touch me! Ég kalla á lögregluna – I’ll call the police. Lögregla! Police! Stopp! Þjófur! – Stop! Thief! Ég þarf smá hjálp – I need a little help. Það er áríðandi. – It’s an emergency. Ég er týndur (male) – I’m lost. Ég er týnd (female) – I’m lost. Taskan mín er týnd. – My bag is missing. Seðlaveskið mitt er týnt. – My wallet is missing. Ég er veikur (male) – I’m sick. Ég er veik (female)- I’m sick. Ég er særður – I’ve been injured. Ég þarf lækni – I need a doctor. Má ég nota símann þinn? Can I use your phone? Signs/Services/Health Professionals  Snyrting – Toilet Opið – Open Lokað – Closed Hætta – Danger Bannað – Forbidden Tjaldstæði – Campsite Sundlaug – Swimming pool Inngangur/Inn – Entry Útgangur/út – Exit Bílastæði – Parking Áætlun – Schedule Flugvöllur – Airport Blindhæð – Blind summit (road sign) Jeppavegur – Jeep track Lögreglan – Police Sjúkrahús – Hospital Heilsugæslustöð – Health Centre Læknir – Doctor Tannlæknir – Dentist Banki – Bank Hraðabanki – ATM Póstur – Post Office Apótek – Chemist  or pharmacy Verkstæði – Mechanic/garage Random Fact about Iceland Now that you’ve learned some useful Icelandic words and phrases, I am going to move on to the random fact about Iceland Shockingly, at least it was shocking to me, is that Icelandic was only named as the official language of Iceland in 2011! That same year, Icelandic Sign Language was also recognized and became the first official language of Iceland’s deaf community. Icelandic word of the day One of the most Icelandic words you can say is Jæja. It is translates to “well” but it can convey so much more than that. Depending on how you say it, you can get across a whole range of emotions. The Reykjavík Grapevine published a hilarious video about how to have a full conversation in Icelandic using only 3 words. Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:  Facebook Instagram Twitter  I hope you enjoyed this episode. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you are subscribed to the All Things Iceland podcast so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you haven’t already. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!

<p>Even though, English is widely spoken in Iceland, I think these words and phrases will certainly come in handy if you plan to visit or if you already live here and want to learn the language.  Even if you don’t have Iceland on your bucket list, I find it is a fascinating language to listen to, especially since it has not evolved much since the 12th  century. For anyone that is curious about the history of the Icelandic language check out the<a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/icelandic-language-history/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"> podcast episode</a> I did about it.</p> <p></p> <p>If you find yourself interested in learning more Icelandic words and phrases after listening to this episode, head over to my Instagram account<a href="https://www.instagram.com/foreign2familiar/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"> @Foreign2familiar.</a> I teach a new Icelandic word or phrase in my Instagram stories every day.</p> <h3><strong>Icelandic Letters That Are Not in the English Alphabet</strong></h3> <p>Before I jump into the useful phrases, I want to point out that there are some letters in Icelandic that do not exist in English and they are the following:</p> <p>Æ</p> <p>ö</p> <p>Ð – a “th” such as in weather</p> <p>þ – a”th” sound that is unvoiced</p> <p>Á</p> <p>Í</p> <p>Ý</p> <p>I am not going to go over every word in the Icelandic alphabet because that would make this episode much longer. However, I have included a cute Youtube video below about how to pronounce Icelandic letters.</p> <p>One simple rule to remember when saying Icelandic words is that the stress falls on the first syllable of a word.</p> <p>I am going to start off with the most widely used words and phrases that are helpful when you are interacting with a person that speaks Icelandic. Then, I will move on to words and phrases to know when at a restaurant. Following that are useful words if a problem arises (such as needing the police, if you are sick and so on).  The third section are words about common signs in Iceland. Lastly, are words for service places and titles of professionals that you might need, such as a doctor. Ok, now let’s jump into some Icelandic.</p> <h3><b>Most Widely Used Words &amp; Phrases in Iceland</b></h3> <p>Já – Yes</p> <p>Jú  – Yoo and it is used for answering a negative question</p> <p>Nei – No</p> <p>Góðan daginn or Goðan dag  – Good morning or Good afternoon. Commonly used at any time before 6 PM</p> <p>Sæll – Hello (informal, to a man).</p> <p>Sæl – Hello (informal, to a woman).</p> <p>Hæ – Hi (pronounced just like the English word)</p> <p>Gott kvöld or Goða kvöldið – Good evening – commonly used after 6 PM</p> <p>Ég heiti ______ – My name is ______</p> <p>Gaman að kynnast þér – Nice to meet you.</p> <p>Hvað segirðu gott? – How are you? or literally What say you good?</p> <p>Ég segi allt gott, þakka þér fyrir – Fine, thank you.</p> <p>Hvað heitirðu?  – What is your name?</p> <p>Ég er frá – I am from</p> <p>Weirdly enough, Icelandic people don’t have a word for “please”. The closest word they have is vinsamlegast, which means kindly.</p> <p>Gjörðu svo vel, (to one person) or Gerið þið svo vel (to many people) – Here you are or if you please</p> <p>Takk fyrir or Takk – Thank you.</p> <p>Ekkert að þakka or Ekkert mál – You’re welcome.</p> <p>Afsakið – Excuse me, (getting someone’s attention).</p> <p>Fyrirgefðu – Excuse me, (begging pardon).</p> <p>Ha? – I’m sorry, if you didn’t hear what they said</p> <p>Því miður – I’m sorry, (regretful)</p> <p>Bless or bless bless – Goodbye</p> <p>Bæ – Bye</p> <p>Góða nótt – Good night.</p> <p>Sofðu vel – Sleep well</p> <p>Ég skil ekki – I don’t understand.</p> <p>Gætirðu talað hægar? – Could you speak more slowly?</p> <p>Ég tala ekki íslensku- I can’t speak Icelandic</p> <p>Ég tala ekki íslensku svo vel – I can’t speak Icelandic so well</p> <p>Talarðu ensku? – Do you speak English?</p> <p>Er einhver hér sem talar ensku? – Is there someone here who speaks English?</p> <p>Hvernig segir maður _____ á íslensku? – How do you say _____ in Icelandic?</p> <p>Ég tala ensku, spænsku, þysku, og smá íslensku – I speak English, Spanish, German and a little Icelandic.</p> <p>Ok – Allt í lagí or ókei (used among the younger generations)</p> <p>Hvar er klósettið? – Where is the toilet?</p> <p>Hvar er _______ ? – Where is _______?</p> <p>Hvað kostar það? – What does it cost?</p> <h3><b>Interacting at a Restaurant</b></h3> <p></p> <p>Ég ætla að fá…  – I would like…</p> <p>Áttu til…?  – Have you got any…?</p> <p>Meira  – More</p> <p>Meira takk – More, thanks or more, please</p> <p>Ekki meira takk  – No more, thank you</p> <p>Mjög gott  – Very good</p> <p>Ég er grænmetisæta  – I am vegetarian</p> <p>Ég er vegan – I am  vegan</p> <p>I am vegan. Well more aptly, I am a plant based eater and have been for almost 5 years. I have no issues with finding food in Iceland. In fact, many restaurants have vegan options on the menu. If you are not sure, just call the restaurant to make sure.</p> <p>Reikninginn, takk   – The bill, please</p> <p>Skál – cheers!</p> <h3><strong>Menu / Food</strong></h3> <p>Matseðill  – Menu</p> <p>Forréttir  – Starters or appetizers</p> <p>Súpa – Soup</p> <p>Brauð – Bread</p> <p>Smjör – Butter</p> <p>Sósa  – Sauce</p> <h4><b>Kjötréttir  Meat Dishes</b></h4> <p>Hangikjöt –   Smoked lamb</p> <p>Svínakjöt –   Pork</p> <p>Kjöt –  Meat</p> <p>Lambakjöt – Lamb</p> <p>Nautakjöt –   Beef</p> <p>Kjúklingur – Chicken</p> <h4><b>Fiskréttir  – Fish Dishes</b></h4> <p>Fiskur – Fish</p> <p>Þorskur – Cod</p> <p>Lax –  Salmon</p> <p>ýsa –  Haddock</p> <p>Lúda –  Halibut</p> <p>Rækjur – Prawns or shrimp</p> <p>Silungur/Bleikja –  Trout</p> <h4><b>Grænmeti  Vegetables</b></h4> <p></p> <p>Kartöflur –   Potatoes</p> <p>Franskar –  fries or chips</p> <p>Blómkál –  Cauliflower</p> <p>Grænar baunir –  Peas</p> <p>Rauðkál –  Red cabbage</p> <p>Sveppir – Mushrooms</p> <p>Gulrætur –  Carrots</p> <p>Salat –  Salad</p> <p>Agurka -Cucumber</p> <p>Tomat – tomato</p> <h4><b>Eftirréttir  Desserts</b></h4> <p>ís  – Ice-cream</p> <p>Kaka/Terta –  Cake</p> <h4><b>Drykkir  Drinks</b></h4> <p>Te –  Tea</p> <p>Kaffi – Coffee</p> <p>Mjólk – Milk</p> <p>Sykur  – Sugar</p> <p>Appelsínusafi – Orange juice</p> <p>Bjór –  Beer</p> <p>Pilsner – Low-alcohol beer</p> <p>Hvítvín – White wine</p> <p>Rauðvín – Red wine</p> <p>Vatn –  Water</p> <p>Kampavín – champagne</p> <h3><b>Communicating a Problem</b></h3> <p>Hjálp! – Help!</p> <p>Varúð!- Look out!</p> <p>Farðu í burtu. Or just “farðu” – Leave me alone.</p> <p>Ekki snerta mig! – Don’t touch me!</p> <p>Ég kalla á lögregluna – I’ll call the police.</p> <p>Lögregla! Police!</p> <p>Stopp! Þjófur! – Stop! Thief!</p> <p>Ég þarf smá hjálp – I need a little help.</p> <p>Það er áríðandi. – It’s an emergency.</p> <p>Ég er týndur (male) – I’m lost.</p> <p>Ég er týnd (female) – I’m lost.</p> <p>Taskan mín er týnd. – My bag is missing.</p> <p>Seðlaveskið mitt er týnt. – My wallet is missing.</p> <p>Ég er veikur (male) – I’m sick.</p> <p>Ég er veik (female)- I’m sick.</p> <p>Ég er særður – I’ve been injured.</p> <p>Ég þarf lækni – I need a doctor.</p> <p>Má ég nota símann þinn? Can I use your phone?</p> <h3><strong>Signs/Services/Health Professionals</strong></h3> <p><a href="Bathroom sign - All Things Iceland podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>Snyrting – Toilet</p> <p>Opið – Open</p> <p>Lokað – Closed</p> <p>Hætta – Danger</p> <p>Bannað – Forbidden</p> <p>Tjaldstæði – Campsite</p> <p>Sundlaug – Swimming pool</p> <p>Inngangur/Inn – Entry</p> <p>Útgangur/út – Exit</p> <p>Bílastæði – Parking</p> <p>Áætlun – Schedule</p> <p>Flugvöllur – Airport</p> <p>Blindhæð – Blind summit (road sign)</p> <p>Jeppavegur – Jeep track</p> <p>Lögreglan – Police</p> <p>Sjúkrahús – Hospital</p> <p>Heilsugæslustöð – Health Centre</p> <p>Læknir – Doctor</p> <p>Tannlæknir – Dentist</p> <p>Banki – Bank</p> <p>Hraðabanki – ATM</p> <p>Póstur – Post Office</p> <p>Apótek – Chemist  or pharmacy</p> <p>Verkstæði – Mechanic/garage</p> <h3><b>Random Fact about Iceland</b></h3> <p>Now that you’ve learned some useful Icelandic words and phrases, I am going to move on to the random fact about Iceland</p> <p>Shockingly, at least it was shocking to me, is that Icelandic was only named as the <a href="https://www.government.is/media/menntamalaraduneyti-media/media/frettir2015/Thyding-log-um-stodu-islenskrar-tungu-og-islensks-taknmals-desember-2015.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">official language of Iceland in 2011</a>! That same year, Icelandic Sign Language was also recognized and became the first official language of Iceland’s deaf community.</p> <h3><b>Icelandic word of the day</b></h3> <p>One of the most Icelandic words you can say is Jæja. It is translates to “well” but it can convey so much more than that. Depending on how you say it, you can get across a whole range of emotions. The Reykjavík Grapevine published a hilarious video about how to have a full conversation in Icelandic using only 3 words.</p> <h2>Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromforeigntofamiliar/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/jewellschambers" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p>I hope you enjoyed this episode. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you are subscribed to the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland podcast</a> so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you haven’t already.</p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega</p> <p>Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!</p>

Useful Icelandic Words & Phrases for Visitors & Language Learners – Ep. 27

Today is a very special episode because in June of 2018, I launched the All Things Iceland podcast. A full year later, there are 47 episodes (48 if you include this one) and more than 60,000 downloads. I am incredibly grateful for all of the people that have listened to this podcast and for those who do so in the future. I thought it would be fun to do something a little different for this special occasion.   Send In Your Questions For The Podcast I plan to publish an episode that is dedicated to answering your questions about Iceland. I will do my best to answer as many as I can. Send in your questions to jewells@fromforeigntofamiliar.com  Why, How, and When I Started the Podcast To celebrate the one year anniversary of the All Things Iceland podcast, I dive into what sparked my interest in starting the show and how I went about launching it. This has certainly been an adventure figuring out the world of podcasting and I look forward to continuously evolving. All Things Iceland Podcast Announcements The publication schedule is changing. I will release two episodes a month rather than four a month.  I am working on launching a new website and rolling out a new url. Random fact of the episode  Some of you that follow my on Instagram might know where I record my episodes when I am doing them alone. For all of you that don’t, you might find kind of amusing that I record in my closet in my bedroom.  Currently, the microphone that I use for when I am alone and when I interview people is the same. However, the location makes a huge difference in the sound quality. Because sound waves from my recordings are absorbed by my clothes, I end up with a cleaner sound. One day it would be awesome to build a home studio or at least have a space other than my closet to record. Until then, I am happy with the closet. Icelandic Word of the Day Til hamingju – congratulations  Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:  Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter  Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega

<p>Today is a very special episode because in June of 2018, I launched the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland</a> podcast. A full year later, there are 47 episodes (48 if you include this one) and more than 60,000 downloads. I am incredibly grateful for all of the people that have listened to this podcast and for those who do so in the future. I thought it would be fun to do something a little different for this special occasion. </p> <p></p> <h2>Send In Your Questions For The Podcast</h2> <p>I plan to publish an episode that is dedicated to answering your questions about Iceland. I will do my best to answer as many as I can.</p> <p>Send in your questions to <a href="mailto:jewells@fromforeigntofamiliar.com">jewells@fromforeigntofamiliar.com</a> </p> <h2>Why, How, and When I Started the Podcast</h2> <p>To celebrate the one year anniversary of the All Things Iceland podcast, I dive into what sparked my interest in starting the show and how I went about launching it.</p> <p>This has certainly been an adventure figuring out the world of podcasting and I look forward to continuously evolving.</p> <h2>All Things Iceland Podcast Announcements</h2> <p>The publication schedule is changing. I will release two episodes a month rather than four a month. </p> <p>I am working on launching a new website and rolling out a new url.</p> <h2>Random fact of the episode </h2> <p>Some of you that follow my on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> might know where I record my episodes when I am doing them alone. For all of you that don’t, you might find kind of amusing that I record in my closet in my bedroom. </p> <p>Currently, the <a href="https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/microphones/mv88" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">microphone </a>that I use for when I am alone and when I interview people is the same. However, the location makes a huge difference in the sound quality. Because sound waves from my recordings are absorbed by my clothes, I end up with a cleaner sound. One day it would be awesome to build a home studio or at least have a space other than my closet to record. Until then, I am happy with the closet.</p> <h2>Icelandic Word of the Day</h2> <p>Til hamingju – congratulations </p> <h2>Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromforeigntofamiliar/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCacXXvaNHJQhMYU7f77OrBA" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/jewellschambers" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega</p>

Celebrating the 1st Year of the All Things Iceland Podcast- Ep.48

Many people think that the hidden people in the land of fire and ice are just elves. However, hidden people actually includes the many different types of beings that are rarely, if ever, seen here. In addition to elves, there are trolls, dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, mountain spirits and ghosts. There are also a variety of monsters.   Icelandic folklore includes many fascinating and frightening stories that I plan to talk about in future episodes of this podcast. As a primer for future shows, I have decided to give you an overview of these different hidden beings in this episode. Elves – The Most Popular of the Hidden People in Iceland Elves are by far the most well-known of the hidden people here because media sources have printed that the majority of the population in Iceland believes that they exist. The funny part is thing is that while many Icelandic people won’t say they absolutely do believe in elves, a good chunk of them won’t say outright that elves do not exist. It is as if they don’t want to make a decision just in case elves really do exist. I find it amusing.  The story of how elves came to be hidden people is quite sad and is related to Christianity. Iceland became a Christian nation in the 11th century. With the religion came fascinating stories and there a couple of scenarios that explain the origins of elves.  How Elves Came Into Existence The first is that Adam and Eve had many children in the Garden of Eden. In preparation for a visit from god, Eve tried to clean all of her children. Unfortunately, she didn’t finish cleaning all of them in time. She hid the dirty ones away from god and lied about their existence because she was ashamed. According to Jón Arnarsson, who wrote Icelandic Legends, god knew that Adam and Eve had more children that were hidden. God said to Eve, “What man hides from God, God will hide from man.” Those unwashed children then became invisible. It is believed that the children that were not hidden from god are us, the people that you see all over the world. The 2nd scenario of how elves originated is that they come from Lilith, a figure in Jewish mythology that appears as a dangerous demon in the darkness.  She is said to be sexually wanton and steals babies in the night.  According to Jewish mythology, she was Adam’s first wife but she left him because she didn’t want to become subservient to him. She left the Garden of Eden and became involved with an archangel Samael. The last scenario is that elves are fallen angels that are condemned to live between heaven and earth.  These beings looks like humans and they live in rocks and hills. Icelandic people have a lot of respect for the homes of elves and they generally do their best to avoid disturbing them. Roads have been built around areas or rocks that elves are said to live. Sometimes a medium that can communicate with elves is consulted before construction is done in an area that might be inhabited by elves.  Where to Find Elves in Iceland If you are wondering where you can find elves, there are many places around the country where they are said to dwell. One very popular place is the Elf Stone in Grjótaþorp, the oldest neighborhood in Reykjavík. Another is along the south coast. It is quite a huge rock near Skógafoss that has some incredible stories attached to it.  Because it is on a farmer’s land, you would have to ask permission to see it up close.  There are also doors that have been painted on rocks around the country and some people have tiny houses that they set up in their gardens for elves to live in. In addition to possibly meeting an elf out in the wilderness by chance, there are certain times of the year when it is said that the odds of a person coming in contact with an elf is higher. On New Year’s Eve there are bonfires happening around the country. That night is when elves usually move their residence from one rock or hill to another.  On the Thirteenth night, January 6th, which is the last day of Christmas in Iceland, Icelanders come together around bonfires to sing songs about elves and trolls. Lastly, on Midsummers Night, which is the longest day of the year, if you sit at a crossroads where all four roads lead to separate churches, an elf will try to seduce you with gifts. If you accept the gifts, you will go mad but if you resist the temptation, your wishes will come true. In my episode called Icelandic Holidays, Traditions &amp; Celebrations, I talk about all of the major holidays that Icelandic people celebrate. Trolls Recently, I have talked quite a bit about trolls because of the Christmas season. You might recall that Grýla, the mother of the 13 Yule Lads is a troll that eats children that misbehave. Like many Nordic portrayals of trolls, they are described as bigger, stronger and less intelligent than humans. Some are considered greedy, but they can also be wise and kind. Similar to elves, they can cast magical enchantments and nasty spells. They are said to live in the mountains in the highlands of Iceland.  The highlands of Iceland is uninhabitable for humans to live in, which is probably why trolls call it their home. Most trolls travel at night time because legend has it that they turn to stone if caught in the sunlight. There are numerous rock formations around Iceland that Icelandic people claim are trolls that were caught in natural light. One famous group of stones can be seen from the black sand beach near Vík on the south coast. Apparently, the trolls were trying to drag in ships to the shore but were hit by the light of day. When we are traveling in Iceland, my husband enjoys pointing out rock formations that look like faces or bodies and saying they must be trolls that were petrified into stone. Because some trolls like to eat people, I don’t advise trying to find where they live.   Ghosts There are plenty of ghosts stories in Iceland and I look forward to sharing many of them with you in future episodes. As you would expect, Icelandic ghosts are not usually friendly. In Iceland, they seem to go after specific people or families for centuries. They can cause bad luck, kill people or drive them mad. There have even been incidents where people have allegedly been sexually assaulted by ghosts. Some women have been impregnated by a former suitor that is dead. There is also a story about a horse stable that is haunted by a guy that attacks men he finds attractive. This might sound silly but guys are afraid of turning their back in the stable because that is when the ghost attacks. Women seem to be of no interest to this particular ghost. Some other stories include The Deacon of Myrká and Miklabæjar Sólveig. There is even a ghost center in Stokkseyri that is dedicated to Icelandic ghosts and elves. It is about 45 minutes outside of Reykjavík by car.   Icelandic Monsters The monsters in Iceland are just as intense and scary as you would assume. Well, maybe even more so. One of the most famous is Lagarfljotsormur (aka the worm monster). It is essentially this country’s Loch Ness monster. It lives in Lagarfljót, a body of water in the north of the country. There is supposed footage of it and you can check it out below.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9xG2PrcjA Another fascinating monster is Nykur a gray horse with backwards hooves that lives underwater. It might sound kind of cute, but if you get too close Nykur it will lure you into the water, drag you under and drown you. It will do this to any wanderer it finds in the wilderness, Icelandic or foreign. I won’t list all of the monsters now because I think they deserve their own episode.  Random Fact About Iceland  The University of Iceland conducted a study in 2007 that found that an estimated 62% of the nation believe that the existence of these beings is more than a fairy tale. This statistic covered sincere believers and agnostics who lean toward the ‘why not’ end of the spectrum. Magnús Skarphéðinsson founded and runs the Elf School in Reykjavík. According to  the Elf school website:   “He has met personally more than 900 Icelanders that have seen and met and talked with elves and hidden people in Iceland or have had a long friendship with them, – and met more than 500 foreigners in these 40 countries he has done researches in also. Mr. Skarphedinsson is also one of the leader of the Paranormal Foundation of Iceland. – All the lectures in the Elf school are in English.” Magnús Skarphéðinsson Icelandic word of the episode Huldufólk – hidden people Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:  Facebook Instagram Twitter  I hope you enjoyed learning about Iceland’s hidden people. I release a new podcast episode every  week. Make sure you  are subscribed to the All Things Iceland podcast   so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to   this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you  haven’t already. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!

<p>Many people think that the hidden people in the land of fire and ice are just elves. However, hidden people actually includes the many different types of beings that are rarely, if ever, seen here. In addition to elves, there are trolls, dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, mountain spirits and ghosts. There are also a variety of monsters. </p> <p></p> <p>Icelandic folklore includes many fascinating and frightening stories that I plan to talk about in future episodes of this podcast. As a primer for future shows, I have decided to give you an overview of these different hidden beings in this episode.</p> <h3><strong>Elves – The Most Popular of the Hidden People in Iceland</strong><br/></h3> <p>Elves are by far the most well-known of the hidden people here because media sources have printed that the majority of the population in Iceland believes that they exist. The funny part is thing is that while many Icelandic people won’t say they absolutely do believe in elves, a good chunk of them won’t say outright that elves do not exist. It is as if they don’t want to make a decision just in case elves really do exist. I find it amusing.  The story of how elves came to be hidden people is quite sad and is related to Christianity. Iceland became a Christian nation in the 11th century. With the religion came fascinating stories and there a couple of scenarios that explain the origins of elves. </p> <h3>How Elves Came Into Existence</h3> <p>The first is that Adam and Eve had many children in the Garden of Eden. In preparation for a visit from god, Eve tried to clean all of her children. Unfortunately, she didn’t finish cleaning all of them in time. She hid the dirty ones away from god and lied about their existence because she was ashamed. According to Jón Arnarsson, who wrote <a href="https://books.google.is/books?id=CnAAAAAAMAAJ&amp;printsec=titlepage&amp;redir_esc=y&amp;hl=is#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Icelandic Legends</a>, god knew that Adam and Eve had more children that were hidden. God said to Eve, “What man hides from God, God will hide from man.” Those unwashed children then became invisible. It is believed that the children that were not hidden from god are us, the people that you see all over the world.</p> <p>The 2nd scenario of how elves originated is that they come from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilith" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lilith</a>, a figure in Jewish mythology that appears as a dangerous demon in the darkness.  She is said to be sexually wanton and steals babies in the night.  According to Jewish mythology, she was Adam’s first wife but she left him because she didn’t want to become subservient to him. She left the Garden of Eden and became involved with an archangel Samael. The last scenario is that elves are fallen angels that are condemned to live between heaven and earth. </p> <p>These beings looks like humans and they live in rocks and hills. Icelandic people have a lot of respect for the homes of elves and they generally do their best to avoid disturbing them. Roads have been built around areas or rocks that elves are said to live. Sometimes a medium that can communicate with elves is consulted before construction is done in an area that might be inhabited by elves. </p> <h3><strong>Where to Find Elves in Iceland</strong><br/></h3> <p>If you are wondering where you can find elves, there are many places around the country where they are said to dwell. One very popular place is the <a href="https://pickedupblog.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/elf-stones-of-iceland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elf Stone</a> in Grjótaþorp, the oldest neighborhood in Reykjavík. Another is along the south coast. It is quite a <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/drangurinn-rock" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">huge rock </a>near Skógafoss that has some incredible stories attached to it.  Because it is on a farmer’s land, you would have to ask permission to see it up close. </p> <p>There are also doors that have been painted on rocks around the country and some people have tiny houses that they set up in their gardens for elves to live in. In addition to possibly meeting an elf out in the wilderness by chance, there are certain times of the year when it is said that the odds of a person coming in contact with an elf is higher. On New Year’s Eve there are bonfires happening around the country. That night is when elves usually move their residence from one rock or hill to another. </p> <p>On the Thirteenth night, January 6th, which is the last day of Christmas in Iceland, Icelanders come together around bonfires to sing songs about elves and trolls. Lastly, on Midsummers Night, which is the longest day of the year, if you sit at a crossroads where all four roads lead to separate churches, an elf will try to seduce you with gifts. If you accept the gifts, you will go mad but if you resist the temptation, your wishes will come true. In my episode called <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/icelandic-holidays-celebrations-traditions/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Icelandic Holidays, Traditions &amp; Celebrations</a>, I talk about all of the major holidays that Icelandic people celebrate.</p> <h3><strong>Trolls</strong><br/></h3> <p>Recently, I have talked quite a bit about trolls because of the Christmas season. You might recall that Grýla, the mother of the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/icelandic-13-yule-lads/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">13 Yule Lads </a>is a troll that eats children that misbehave. Like many Nordic portrayals of trolls, they are described as bigger, stronger and less intelligent than humans. Some are considered greedy, but they can also be wise and kind. Similar to elves, they can cast magical enchantments and nasty spells. They are said to live in the mountains in the highlands of Iceland. </p> <p>The highlands of Iceland is uninhabitable for humans to live in, which is probably why trolls call it their home. Most trolls travel at night time because legend has it that they turn to stone if caught in the sunlight. There are numerous rock formations around Iceland that Icelandic people claim are trolls that were caught in natural light. One famous group of stones can be seen from the black sand beach near Vík on the south coast. Apparently, the trolls were trying to drag in ships to the shore but were hit by the light of day. When we are traveling in Iceland, my husband enjoys pointing out rock formations that look like faces or bodies and saying they must be trolls that were petrified into stone. Because some trolls like to eat people, I don’t advise trying to find where they live.  </p> <h3><strong>Ghosts</strong><br/></h3> <p>There are plenty of ghosts stories in Iceland and I look forward to sharing many of them with you in future episodes. As you would expect, Icelandic ghosts are not usually friendly. In Iceland, they seem to go after specific people or families for centuries. They can cause bad luck, kill people or drive them mad. There have even been incidents where people have allegedly been sexually assaulted by ghosts. Some women have been impregnated by a former suitor that is dead. There is also a story about a horse stable that is haunted by a guy that attacks men he finds attractive. This might sound silly but guys are afraid of turning their back in the stable because that is when the ghost attacks. Women seem to be of no interest to this particular ghost.</p> <p>Some other stories include The Deacon of Myrká and Miklabæjar Sólveig. There is even a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ghoststokkseyri/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ghost center</a> in Stokkseyri that is dedicated to Icelandic ghosts and elves. It is about 45 minutes outside of Reykjavík by car. </p> <p></p> <h3><strong>Icelandic Monsters</strong><br/></h3> <p>The monsters in Iceland are just as intense and scary as you would assume. Well, maybe even more so. One of the most famous is Lagarfljotsormur (aka the worm monster). It is essentially this country’s Loch Ness monster. It lives in Lagarfljót, a body of water in the north of the country. There is supposed footage of it and you can check it out below. </p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9xG2PrcjA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9xG2PrcjA</a> <p>Another fascinating monster is <a href="https://grapevine.is/mag/articles/2008/08/01/another-icelandic-monster-nykur/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nykur</a> a gray horse with backwards hooves that lives underwater. It might sound kind of cute, but if you get too close Nykur it will lure you into the water, drag you under and drown you. It will do this to any wanderer it finds in the wilderness, Icelandic or foreign.</p> <p>I won’t list all of the monsters now because I think they deserve their own episode.</p> <p></p> <h3><strong>Random Fact About Iceland</strong><br/></h3> <ol> <li>The University of Iceland conducted a study in 2007 that found that an estimated 62% of the nation believe that the existence of these beings is more than a fairy tale. This statistic covered sincere believers and agnostics who lean toward the ‘why not’ end of the spectrum.</li> <li>Magnús Skarphéðinsson founded and runs the <a href="https://theelfschool.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elf School</a> in Reykjavík. According to  the Elf school website:</li> </ol> <blockquote> <p><em>“He has met personally more than 900 Icelanders that have seen and met and talked with elves and hidden people in Iceland or have had a long friendship with them, – and met more than 500 foreigners in these 40 countries he has done researches in also. Mr. Skarphedinsson is also one of the leader of the Paranormal Foundation of Iceland. – All the lectures in the Elf school are in English.”</em></p> <p>Magnús Skarphéðinsson</p></blockquote> <h3><strong>Icelandic word of the episode</strong></h3> <p>Huldufólk – hidden people</p> <h2>Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromforeigntofamiliar/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/jewellschambers" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p>I hope you enjoyed learning about Iceland’s hidden people. I release a new podcast episode every  week. Make sure you  are subscribed to the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland podcast</a>   so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to   this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you  haven’t already.</p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega</p> <p>Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!</p>

Iceland's Hidden People & Mythical Beings – Ep. 35

This week is a bit different than my normal episodes because I am going to share why I moved to Iceland. I get this question a lot, mainly because I was born and raised in NYC. People find it very difficult to understand why I would move to such a small country that averages relatively chilly temperatures and has a population of about 350,000 people. After sharing Ingólfur Arnarson’s story, the man who founded Reykjavík, I felt compelled to share my own.  So, let’s just jump right into it.  Meeting Gunnar 12 Years Ago I won’t go into all the details about how Gunnar and I’s relationship evolved because I have a video coming out on YouTube about it that will explain everything. For now, just know that we met through a mutual friend, Orri, who is Icelandic.  That was about twelve years ago but we didn’t becoming a couple until about five and a half years ago. We were in a long distance relationship for 3 years and the first time we lived together is when I moved to Iceland in 2016. If someone had asked me if I would consider moving to Iceland before I started dating Gunnar, I would have flat out said no. I didn’t have anything against Iceland, but I just didn’t know anything about the place. I assumed that it would be more of a hassle to live there than it was worth. It’s funny how love has the ability to change your mind. Adjusting to Life in Iceland I started working the very next day after I arrived in Iceland.  Because of that, I didn’t have a lot of time to think about my feelings regarding living in another country. I was so excited about my job opportunity and I wanted to do well so I mainly focused on that. Funny enough, one of the hardest adjustments for me in the beginning was learning to live with another person. I lived on my own in a studio apartment in NYC for about 3 years before moving in with Gunnar in Iceland. Of course, all of the cultural differences, such as the language and traditions were things I needed to adjust to. Thankfully, I had learned a lot about them during my visits to the country before I moved. Living here is so much different than visiting, but I experienced a lot less culture shock when I finally moved. I do have to mention that I feel like marrying into an Icelandic family has given me an advantage when it comes to coping with living here. Many foreigners that move to Iceland but do not have ties an Icelandic family can feel quite lonely or left out. Icelandic people can be closed off when it comes to celebrating the holidays and other activities. They are very family orientated and most of the time their celebrations are just family members and very close friends of the family that are also Icelandic. Being included in the various activities made me feel like a part of the family immediately. That made living here an even more enjoyable experience.  Learning Icelandic While I do understand a lot of Icelandic, I am continuously learning and working on my conversational skills. It is challenging, but it is also a lot of fun. Thankfully, there are a decent amount of resources online that are available. If you are interested in learning the language, here are  some free resources that you can check out. I use a tutor at the moment, who is awesome. I highly recommend you considering to use a tutor or take classes if you want to learn the language in a systematic way. Living in Iceland As a Person of Color As many of you know, Iceland is predominantly made up of white people. No surprise there! However, some of you might not know that I am a Black woman.  I am only mentioning this because a part of adjusting to life in Iceland for me has to deal with looking different than almost everyone else that lives here. To shine light on what it is like to live as a Black person in Iceland, I created a YouTube video with my friend Tabitha about the topic. Below is the video, if you would like to check it out.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhAviCZYu0A&amp;list=PLY6R_FX3DGcFiEDarpCRgqb2ELi24qAdf To my surprise and relief, this video has been well received in Iceland. Many Icelandic and non Icelandic people have thanked us for sharing our experiences. I have also been featured in the Icelandic news, including visir.is, The Reykjavík Grapevine and Iceland Review. Also, I recently wrote an article that was published. Before moving I was afraid that I might be discriminated against because of the color of my skin. Thankfully, I have not felt that way since I started to live here. Iceland is not a perfect place. However, it has been a pleasant surprise that most people here want to learn more about my experience. They have also has wanted to share their own.   Being a Vegan in Iceland When I met Gunnar five and half years ago, I was not fully a plant based eater or vegan. I was dabbling in it but hadn’t fully committed yet. I am lactose intolerant so giving up dairy products has never been an issue for me.  My body wasn’t much of a fan of meat, so I had started to cut back on that. By our second relationship anniversary, I was fully a plant based eater.  I was somewhat concerned about how I would be able to live in Iceland as a vegan because meat and dairy are a big part of the diet.  However, many visits to the country helped to ease my concerns. The vegan society in Iceland has been growing at a rapid rate. Veganuary, which is when a person takes the challenge of being vegan for the month of January, has been quite successful in Iceland. Not everyone that has participated has remained vegan throughout the year, but it has helped to create more food choices at restaurants and supermarkets. More people are eating more vegetables and that is amazing.   While there are less fresh produce options here than in other places, there are certainly enough for people who are strictly vegans. Also, there are a lot of fake meats and some restaurants that are exclusively vegan. Whether you are a visitor or a resident here, you won’t have an issue finding vegan food to eat and/or cook. Adjusting to the Weather in Iceland I thought I was prepared for how much the weather can change and affect you here, but I was wrong. Icelandic weather is a beast. The wind storms can be hurricane strength and it rains quite a lot.   I had to buy a lot of waterproof gear. I also had to adjust to the fact that the wind might be howling or the rain might beating up against the window or roof when I am trying to sleep. Additionally, winters in Iceland usually mean icy sidewalks and roads. I am still afraid of falling on ice here and I do my best to take my time when walking on paths that might be slippery. The  long dark nights of winter and the long bright days of summer are bizarre extremes that took awhile for my brain to come to terms with. I used to wear a face mask in the summer because I couldn’t sleep if I saw any light coming through. During winter, I used a daylight lamp to help me feel more awake in the morning. The sun wouldn’t provide brightness in the sky until 10 or 11 am.  It took about 2 years before I had developed effective coping mechanisms for dealing with the seasons in Iceland. Connecting with Nature As I have mentioned in previous episodes, having a routine has helped me a lot, especially with winter. However, the most effective method I have found that made adjusting to living in Iceland much easier is embracing and respecting the power of its nature. In Iceland, I  have walked, hiked, climbed, travelled by car, boat.  I am always in awe of how beautiful and fragile the nature is here. I didn’t connect with nature in this way when I lived in NYC.  Being able to do it in Iceland has changed my life for the better. Random fact of the Episode As of 2018, there are about of 350,000 people living in Iceland and about 7% of the population are foreigners.  The largest population of foreigners here are Polish, who make up about 3.14% of the population Icelandic Word of the Episode  Útlendingur – foreigner Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:  Facebook Instagram Twitter  I hope you enjoyed learning about my experience moving to and adjusting to life in Iceland. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you  are subscribed to the All Things Iceland podcast  so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to  this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you haven’t already. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!

<p>This week is a bit different than my normal episodes because I am going to share why I moved to Iceland. I get this question a lot, mainly because I was born and raised in NYC. People find it very difficult to understand why I would move to such a small country that averages relatively chilly temperatures and has a population of about 350,000 people. After sharing Ingólfur Arnarson’s story, the man who founded Reykjavík, I felt compelled to share my own.  So, let’s just jump right into it.</p> <p></p> <h2><strong>Meeting Gunnar 12 Years Ago</strong></h2> <p>I won’t go into all the details about how Gunnar and I’s relationship evolved because I have a video coming out on YouTube about it that will explain everything. For now, just know that we met through a mutual friend, Orri, who is Icelandic. </p> <p>That was about twelve years ago but we didn’t becoming a couple until about five and a half years ago. We were in a long distance relationship for 3 years and the first time we lived together is when I moved to Iceland in 2016.</p> <p>If someone had asked me if I would consider moving to Iceland before I started dating Gunnar, I would have flat out said no. I didn’t have anything against Iceland, but I just didn’t know anything about the place. I assumed that it would be more of a hassle to live there than it was worth. It’s funny how love has the ability to change your mind.</p> <h2><strong>Adjusting to Life in Iceland</strong></h2> <p>I started working the very next day after I arrived in Iceland.  Because of that, I didn’t have a lot of time to think about my feelings regarding living in another country. I was so excited about my job opportunity and I wanted to do well so I mainly focused on that.</p> <p>Funny enough, one of the hardest adjustments for me in the beginning was learning to live with another person. I lived on my own in a studio apartment in NYC for about 3 years before moving in with Gunnar in Iceland.</p> <p>Of course, all of the cultural differences, such as the language and traditions were things I needed to adjust to. Thankfully, I had learned a lot about them during my visits to the country before I moved. Living here is so much different than visiting, but I experienced a lot less culture shock when I finally moved.</p> <p>I do have to mention that I feel like marrying into an Icelandic family has given me an advantage when it comes to coping with living here. Many foreigners that move to Iceland but do not have ties an Icelandic family can feel quite lonely or left out. Icelandic people can be closed off when it comes to celebrating the holidays and other activities. They are very family orientated and most of the time their celebrations are just family members and very close friends of the family that are also Icelandic. Being included in the various activities made me feel like a part of the family immediately. That made living here an even more enjoyable experience. </p> <h2><strong>Learning Icelandic</strong></h2> <p>While I do understand a lot of Icelandic, I am continuously learning and working on my conversational skills. It is challenging, but it is also a lot of fun. Thankfully, there are a decent amount of resources online that are available. If you are interested in learning the language, <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/language-learning-resources/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here are  some free resources</a> that you can check out. I use a tutor at the moment, who is awesome. I highly recommend you considering to use a tutor or take classes if you want to learn the language in a systematic way.</p> <h2><strong>Living in Iceland As a Person of Color</strong></h2> <p>As many of you know, Iceland is predominantly made up of white people. No surprise there! However, some of you might not know that I am a Black woman.  I am only mentioning this because a part of adjusting to life in Iceland for me has to deal with looking different than almost everyone else that lives here. To shine light on what it is like to live as a Black person in Iceland, I created a YouTube video with my friend Tabitha about the topic. Below is the video, if you would like to check it out. </p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhAviCZYu0A&amp;list=PLY6R_FX3DGcFiEDarpCRgqb2ELi24qAdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhAviCZYu0A&amp;list=PLY6R_FX3DGcFiEDarpCRgqb2ELi24qAdf</a> <p>To my surprise and relief, this video has been well received in Iceland. Many Icelandic and non Icelandic people have thanked us for sharing our experiences. I have also been featured in the Icelandic news, including <a href="http://www.visir.is/g/2018181119320/raeda-hvernig-thad-er-ad-vera-svartar-a-islandi-islenska-forvitnin-veldur-thvi-ad-folk-starir" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">visir.is</a>, <a href="https://grapevine.is/mag/interview/2019/01/04/being-black-in-iceland-an-interview-with-jewells-chambers/?fbclid=IwAR1bYLDC02s3SDGS1njDkTbTXgaD3nKaT4grfO4FAgddlY77caChC0_v4Gg" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Reykjavík Grapevine </a>and Iceland Review. Also, I recently<a href="https://grapevine.is/mag/last-words/2019/01/04/the-danger-of-claiming-to-be-colour-blind/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> wrote an article </a>that was published.</p> <p>Before moving I was afraid that I might be discriminated against because of the color of my skin. Thankfully, I have not felt that way since I started to live here. Iceland is not a perfect place. However, it has been a pleasant surprise that most people here want to learn more about my experience. They have also has wanted to share their own.  </p> <h2><strong>Being a Vegan in Iceland</strong></h2> <p>When I met Gunnar five and half years ago, I was not fully a plant based eater or vegan. I was dabbling in it but hadn’t fully committed yet. I am lactose intolerant so giving up dairy products has never been an issue for me.  My body wasn’t much of a fan of meat, so I had started to cut back on that. By our second relationship anniversary, I was fully a plant based eater.  I was somewhat concerned about how I would be able to live in Iceland as a vegan because meat and dairy are a big part of the diet.  However, many visits to the country helped to ease my concerns.</p> <p>The vegan society in Iceland has been growing at a rapid rate. Veganuary, which is when a person takes the challenge of being vegan for the month of January, has been quite successful in Iceland. Not everyone that has participated has remained vegan throughout the year, but it has helped to create more food choices at restaurants and supermarkets. More people are eating more vegetables and that is amazing.  </p> <p>While there are less fresh produce options here than in other places, there are certainly enough for people who are strictly vegans. Also, there are a lot of fake meats and some restaurants that are exclusively vegan.</p> <p>Whether you are a visitor or a resident here, you won’t have an issue finding vegan food to eat and/or cook.</p> <h2><strong>Adjusting to the Weather in Iceland</strong></h2> <p>I thought I was prepared for how much the weather can change and affect you here, but I was wrong. Icelandic weather is a beast. The wind storms can be hurricane strength and it rains quite a lot.  </p> <p>I had to buy a lot of waterproof gear. I also had to adjust to the fact that the wind might be howling or the rain might beating up against the window or roof when I am trying to sleep. Additionally, winters in Iceland usually mean icy sidewalks and roads. I am still afraid of falling on ice here and I do my best to take my time when walking on paths that might be slippery.</p> <p>The  long dark nights of winter and the long bright days of summer are bizarre extremes that took awhile for my brain to come to terms with. I used to wear a face mask in the summer because I couldn’t sleep if I saw any light coming through. During winter, I used a daylight lamp to help me feel more awake in the morning. The sun wouldn’t provide brightness in the sky until 10 or 11 am.  It took about 2 years before I had developed effective coping mechanisms for dealing with the seasons in Iceland.</p> <h2><strong>Connecting with Nature</strong></h2> <p>As I have mentioned in previous episodes, having a routine has helped me a lot, especially with winter. However, the most effective method I have found that made adjusting to living in Iceland much easier is embracing and respecting the power of its nature. In Iceland, I  have walked, hiked, climbed, travelled by car, boat.  I am always in awe of how beautiful and fragile the nature is here. I didn’t connect with nature in this way when I lived in NYC.  Being able to do it in Iceland has changed my life for the better.</p> <h2><strong>Random fact of the Episode</strong></h2> <p>As of 2018, there are about of 350,000 people living in Iceland and about 7% of the population are foreigners.  The largest population of foreigners here are Polish, who make up about 3.14% of the population</p> <h2><strong>Icelandic Word of the Episode </strong></h2> <p>Útlendingur – foreigner</p> <h2>Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromforeigntofamiliar/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/jewellschambers" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p>I hope you enjoyed learning about my experience moving to and adjusting to life in Iceland. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you  are subscribed to the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland podcast</a>  so you don’t miss new episodes. If the platform you are listening to  this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you haven’t already.</p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta (og að lesa) og sjáumst fljótlega</p> <p>Thank you kindly for listening (and reading) and see you soon!</p>

Moving & Adjusting to Living in Iceland – My Personal Experience – Ep. 34

Alda Sigmundsdóttir

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with Alda Sigmundsdóttir, an Icelandic author and journalist that has her thumb on the pulse of Icelandic society. Even though Alda was born in Iceland, she grew up in Canada and lived in a few different countries. The insight that she shared with me about Iceland and its people was enlightening and sometimes surprising. We had such a great time chatting, that we ended up talking for an hour. In order to keep these episodes relatively short, I have broken this interview up into two parts. During this episode, which is part 1, you will hear about the challenges Alda faced when she moved back to Iceland, how insular Icelandic society is, how she decides what to write about, what the most important thing tourists should keep in mind when they visit Iceland and what Icelandic people really think of visitors to their country.  Questions I asked Alda during this interview:  Even though you were born in Iceland, you lived in Canada and some other countries for many years. What was it like moving back to Iceland? The topics of your books include giving advice to visitors of Iceland, gripping fiction, mythology, culture and issues in Icelandic society. With so many changes happening in Iceland, how do you decide what to write about? It has been a little over a year since you published  “The Little Book of Tourists in Iceland: Tips, tricks and what Icelanders really think of you.” What do you think are still the most important things tourists should keep in mind when they visit Iceland? Have Icelandic people’s views about tourists changed since writing that book?  Alda’s Books Mentioned in the Interview: The Little Book of the Icelanders: 50 Miniature Essays on the Quirks and Foibles of the Icelandic People  The Little Book of Tourists in Iceland: Tips, tricks, and What the Icelanders Really Think of You  Living Inside the Meltdown: Ten People Share Their Experience of the Icelandic Economic Collapse   Connect with Alda Sigmundsdóttir: Alda’s website Instagram Facebook I hope you enjoyed listening to part 1 of this interview. Part 2 will be released next week, so make sure you are subscribed to the All Things Iceland podcast so you don’t miss it. If the platform you are listening to this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you haven’t already. Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega (Thank you kindly for listening and see you soon)! Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I recommend these companies because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.

<p>I was fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with Alda Sigmundsdóttir, an Icelandic author and journalist that has her thumb on the pulse of Icelandic society. Even though Alda was born in Iceland, she grew up in Canada and lived in a few different countries. The insight that she shared with me about Iceland and its people was enlightening and sometimes surprising. We had such a great time chatting, that we ended up talking for an hour. In order to keep these episodes relatively short, I have broken this interview up into two parts. During this episode, which is part 1, you will hear about the challenges Alda faced when she moved back to Iceland, how insular Icelandic society is, how she decides what to write about, what the most important thing tourists should keep in mind when they visit Iceland and what Icelandic people really think of visitors to their country.</p> <p></p> <h2>Questions I asked Alda during this interview:</h2> <ul> <li>Even though you were born in Iceland, you lived in Canada and some other countries for many years. What was it like moving back to Iceland?</li> <li>The topics of your books include giving advice to visitors of Iceland, gripping fiction, mythology, culture and issues in Icelandic society. With so many changes happening in Iceland, how do you decide what to write about?</li> <li>It has been a little over a year since you published  “The Little Book of Tourists in Iceland: Tips, tricks and what Icelanders really think of you.” What do you think are still the most important things tourists should keep in mind when they visit Iceland? Have Icelandic people’s views about tourists changed since writing that book?</li> </ul> <h2>Alda’s Books Mentioned in the Interview:</h2> <h4><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PEXI6YU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=fromforeignto-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B00PEXI6YU&amp;linkId=6f4fab204f21f836a33cbecbcafeb1d9" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><strong>The Little Book of the Icelanders: 50 Miniature Essays on the Quirks and Foibles of the Icelandic People</strong></a></h4> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PEXI6YU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=fromforeignto-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B00PEXI6YU&amp;linkId=aaec9b05caf241d762937ed8bde7c6d8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <h4><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9935936910/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=fromforeignto-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=9935936910&amp;linkId=8bc5ced9b8e47d00cc54eec9f168a68c" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><strong>The Little Book of Tourists in Iceland: Tips, tricks, and What the Icelanders Really Think of You</strong></a></h4> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9935936910/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=fromforeignto-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=9935936910&amp;linkId=e015edc45962ad4ca680b0db25588f0f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <h4><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9935917746/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=fromforeignto-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=9935917746&amp;linkId=400f8ba928a01a9a1ed5016f248b6f97" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Living Inside the Meltdown: Ten People Share Their Experience of the Icelandic Economic Collapse</a><br/> </strong></h4> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9935917746/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=fromforeignto-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=9935917746&amp;linkId=e6090b9316325c5cbffad39f5235a0ae" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <h2><strong>Connect with Alda Sigmundsdóttir:</strong></h2> <p><a href="http://www.aldasigmunds.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Alda’s website</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aldamin/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AldaSigmundsdottir/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></p> <p>I hope you enjoyed listening to part 1 of this interview. Part 2 will be released next week, so make sure you are subscribed to the <a href="https://www.allthingsiceland.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland podcast</a> so you don’t miss it. If the platform you are listening to this podcast on allows you to leave a review, please do so, if you haven’t already.</p> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega (Thank you kindly for listening and see you soon)!</p> <p><strong>Disclosure:</strong> Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I recommend these companies because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.</p>

A Deeper Look into Icelandic Society with Alda Sigmundsdóttir: Part 1 – Ep12

In anticipation of the season 8 premiere for Game of Thrones on April 14th, I have decided to dedicate this episode to sharing the location of where the scenes for the show were filmed in Iceland. I am also including film locations that have been confirmed for the upcoming season. Even if you are not a fan of the show, the places on the list of where the scenes were shot are beautiful and worth checking out if you plan to visit.   Season 2 Beyond the Wall – Svínafellsjökull Glacier in Skaftafell Iceland has not appeared in every season of the show, but the first time the country made its appearance is during season 2. The filming takes place in Skaftafell along the south coast.  I have been fortunate to visit the Skaftafell area numerous times since moving to Iceland. It is part of the Vatnajökull National Park, and it is home to gigantic glaciers and awesome hiking trails. To depict the harsh, cold and stunning world beyond the wall in Game of Thrones, the show filmed on Svínafellsjökull glacier. A decent amount of well known movies have been shot on that glacier. In fact, it is called the “Hollywood glacier” by some. The unfortunate part is that the glacier is no longer accessible because there is danger of a nearby mountain crumbling and breaking up the ice on the glacier. Authorities don’t know if the rock fall will happen soon or in the next ten years. However, they are taking precautions by making Svínafellsjökull off limits. Well, at least for now.   Svínafellsjökull Glacier Even though you can’t go on that particular glacier right now, you can imagine that you are beyond the wall if you walk on one of the other glaciers in the area. Falljökull and Skaftafellsjökull are awesome alternatives that tourism companies are using these days.  Regardless of the glacier you choose, make sure you go with certified glacier guides to ensure that you have a safe and fun experience.  The Fist of the First Men on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier Another scene from Game of Thrones that shows up in season 2 is when the show depicts Mýrdalsjökull glacier as the Fist of the First Men. The First Men are one of the three main ethnic groups that evolved into the people that make up Westeros. Well, the fictional people on the show. The Fist is a defense location that offers commanding views.  In the fifth episode of season 2, you see the Knights Watch arrive at the Fist of the First Men. They are using the Höfðabrekka hiking area near the glacier. Below is a video of the scene when the men arrive in the area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxzljfS4sa4 Season 3 The Many Faces of Mývatn During season 3, the Mývatn area in the north of the country was used a decent amount to depict different places in Game of Thrones. The Dimmuborgir lava field is where Mance Rayder, the leader of the Free Folk, aka the king beyond the wall, had his Wildling army set up camp. At Hverir geothermal area, part of the Diamond Circle, in the north, you see Samwell Tarly walking through what looks like a blizzard. There is snow on the ground but what is making the air look so gray and hard to navigate is actually the steam coming up from the natural bubbling hot springs in the area. It stinks of sulphur but at least he was warm. I visited Hverir this past December and I highly recommend going there. Yes, it smells pretty intense but you do kind of get used to it. What makes it worth a visit is the colors in this area and the sight of steam escaping the ground as if it were coming out of a hissing chimney. The whole area looks like an alien planet and it is absolutely fascinating. I have some videos of it on my Instagram account, if you want to check it out. Grjótagjá Cave: Where Jon Snow &amp; Ygritte Cemented Their Love Grjótagjá cave Jon and Ygritte’s steamy love making session in the Grjótagjá cave in the Mývatn area is sweet but not entirely realistic if you want to reenact that scene. You can visit the natural hot spring but you are advised not to swim in it. People used to bath there, but geological activity in the area has increased the temperature of the hot spring to a degree where it is not safe for you to go for a dip. I know it is tempting because it is a beautiful hot spring in a cave, but I think it is wise to not risk burning yourself.  Season 4 An Epic Battle At Thingvellir National Park The historical and famous Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park became even more famous after it was featured in season 4 of Game of Thrones. This is where the epic battle between Brienne of Tarth and The Hound over Arya takes place. Every time I see that scene, I still tense up with anticipation. It’s a brutal fight and if you want to check it out, watch the video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2P2ByOtOOs&amp;feature=youtu.be The narrow passage along the Öxarárfoss trail in this area is where the scenes to the entrance to Bloody Gate were filmed. Once you are beyond the Bloody Gate, you have entered the Eyrie Þingvellir is a major historical site because it was where Iceland’s first and the world’s oldest Parliament or Alþingi met. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is part of the Golden Circle, which also includes Geysir hot spring and Gullfoss waterfall. Season 7 Fighting the Army of the Dead – Kirkjufell Mountain Even though you saw the arrow shaped mountain Kirkjufell on Snæfellsnes Peninsula make an appearance during season 6 of the show, it wasn’t until season 7 that it had a more active role in the background.  You see it when Jon Snow and his men head north to fight the army of the dead. It also appears in a vision that the Hound has. In that vision, the dead are marching by the mountain. I have hiked up Kirkjufell and it is a fun challenge. The day we went was a bit cloudy and the rain was on its way, so we didn’t go the way to the top, but I plan to go back to do that in the future.  The views from the mountain are amazing. I only recommend hiking it if you are in good physical condition and are ok with physically having to climb up some parts. It does get a bit steep in some areas and the pathways can be narrow. If hiking up steep mountain doesn’t exciting to you, no worries. You can perfectly enjoy Kirkjufell on the ground. Directly across from it is a beautiful waterfall called Kirkjufellsfoss. A decent amount of people go there to take photos of the waterfall with the mountain in the background. The Brotherhood without Banners – Dyrhólaey On the south coast of Iceland are beautiful cliffs called Dyrhólaey. In episode 5 of season 7 in Game of Thrones, they were used to represent the location of the East-Watch by the Sea. Jon Snow, Gendry, Jorah Mormont, and Tormund Giantsbane arrive on one of the iconic black sand beaches you see in the south. They are there to meet the Brotherhood without Banners, who are in a jail cell. Capturing a Wight – Stakkholtsgjá One of my favorite places in Iceland is Þórsmörk. On the way to Þórsmörk is a truly magnificent canyon called Stakkholtsgjá. I have only been there once but that was enough to cement it in my mind as a place that I must visit again. That canyon is where Jon Snow and the rest of the men attempt to capture a wight in order to prove to people that the walking dead are real Stakkholtsgjá Canyon If you are in Iceland during the summer, I recommend considering visiting Þórsmörk and this canyon. The only caveat is that you have to cross rivers to get to these places. I do not recommend or encourage you to do that with a rental car. You can ruin the car and that damage is not covered by the rental car insurance. You can take a bus tour or have an experienced driver guide take you. Male Bonding near Gigjökull While Jon Snow and his fighting squad venture out to find a wight, they walk past Gigjökull, an outlet glacier from the infamous Eyjafjallajökull. This rapidly receding glacier is in the south of the country. The funny part is that within the same scene, the Hound points to Kirkjufell, which is in the west of the country. The men are on foot. While the timeline of how long they have been walking in the snow and cold is not clear, I just think it is worth pointing out that these locations are not that close together. Season 8 As mentioned in the beginning of this episode, season 8 drops on April 14th! The black sand beaches in the south coast of Iceland signify the homeland of the Targaryens. They will make an appearance in the new season. Additionally, Kirkjufell mountain will show up again.  Random Fact of Episode The Mountain, who is a soldier and the Hound’s brother, is an Icelandic actor.  His name is Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and he is just as huge, maybe more than, in person as on the show. He stands at 6 foot 9 and weighs more than 400 pounds. Hafþór is a strong man competitor and it quite good at it. He is the first person to win the Arnold Strongman Classic, the World’s Strongest Man, and Europe’s Strongest Man in the same calendar year. Hafþór currently holds the title of the world’s strongest man. I feel like this is such a fascinating fact because normally film studios have to use CGI to make people this big. It’s amazing to me that a person can be this huge!  Icelandic Word of the Episode Þáttaröð – row of episodes or a series Þáttur – episode Röð – row Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:  Facebook Instagram Twitter  I hope you enjoyed this episode. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you are subscribed to the All Things Iceland podcast so you don’t miss new episodes. Also, don’t forget to enter to win the All Things Iceland podcast giveaway. The link is below.  Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega

<p>In anticipation of the season 8 premiere for <a href="https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Game of Thrones</a> on April 14th, I have decided to dedicate this episode to sharing the location of where the scenes for the show were filmed in Iceland. I am also including film locations that have been confirmed for the upcoming season. Even if you are not a fan of the show, the places on the list of where the scenes were shot are beautiful and worth checking out if you plan to visit.</p> <p></p> <a href="https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/m32t0ENK#!/0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <h2><strong>Season 2</strong></h2> <h4><strong>Beyond the Wall – Svínafellsjökull Glacier in Skaftafell</strong></h4> <p>Iceland has not appeared in every season of the show, but the first time the country made its appearance is during season 2. The filming takes place in Skaftafell along the south coast. </p> <p>I have been fortunate to visit the <a href="https://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/en/areas/skaftafell" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Skaftafell area </a>numerous times since moving to Iceland. It is part of the Vatnajökull National Park, and it is home to gigantic glaciers and awesome hiking trails. To depict the harsh, cold and stunning world beyond the wall in Game of Thrones, the show filmed on Svínafellsjökull glacier. A decent amount of well known movies have been shot on that glacier. In fact, it is called the “Hollywood glacier” by some.</p> <p>The unfortunate part is that the glacier is no longer accessible because there is danger of a nearby mountain crumbling and breaking up the ice on the glacier. Authorities don’t know if the rock fall will happen soon or in the next ten years. However, they are taking precautions by making Svínafellsjökull off limits. Well, at least for now.  </p> Svínafellsjökull Glacier <p>Even though you can’t go on that particular glacier right now, you can imagine that you are beyond the wall if you walk on one of the other glaciers in the area. Falljökull and Skaftafellsjökull are awesome alternatives that tourism companies are using these days.  Regardless of the glacier you choose, make sure you go with certified glacier guides to ensure that you have a safe and fun experience. </p> <h4><strong>The Fist of the First Men on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier</strong><br/></h4> <p>Another scene from Game of Thrones that shows up in season 2 is when the show depicts Mýrdalsjökull glacier as the <a href="https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Fist_of_the_First_Men" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fist of the First Men</a>. The First Men are one of the three main ethnic groups that evolved into the people that make up Westeros. Well, the fictional people on the show. The Fist is a defense location that offers commanding views. </p> <p>In the fifth episode of season 2, you see the Knights Watch arrive at the Fist of the First Men. They are using the <a href="http://www.katlageopark.com/geosites/hofdabrekka-hofdabrekkuheidi/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Höfðabrekka hiking area</a> near the glacier. Below is a video of the scene when the men arrive in the area.</p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxzljfS4sa4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxzljfS4sa4</a> <h2><strong>Season 3</strong></h2> <h4><strong>The Many Faces of Mývatn</strong><br/></h4> <p>During season 3, the <a href="https://www.visitmyvatn.is/en/news/blog/the-amazing-myvatn-area-in-north-iceland-part-i" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mývatn area </a>in the north of the country was used a decent amount to depict different places in Game of Thrones. The <a href="http://www.visithusavik.com/attractions/dimmuborgir-lava-formations/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Dimmuborgir lava field</a> is where Mance Rayder, the leader of the Free Folk, aka the king beyond the wall, had his Wildling army set up camp.</p> <p>At <a href="http://www.diamondcircle.is/hverir/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Hverir geothermal area</a>, part of the Diamond Circle, in the north, you see Samwell Tarly walking through what looks like a blizzard. There is snow on the ground but what is making the air look so gray and hard to navigate is actually the steam coming up from the natural bubbling hot springs in the area. It stinks of sulphur but at least he was warm.</p> <p>I visited Hverir this past December and I highly recommend going there. Yes, it smells pretty intense but you do kind of get used to it. What makes it worth a visit is the colors in this area and the sight of steam escaping the ground as if it were coming out of a hissing chimney. The whole area looks like an alien planet and it is absolutely fascinating. I have some videos of it on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/foreign2familiar/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> account, if you want to check it out.</p> <h4><strong>Grjótagjá Cave: Where Jon Snow &amp; Ygritte Cemented Their Love</strong></h4> Grjótagjá cave <p>Jon and Ygritte’s steamy love making session in the <a href="https://www.northiceland.is/en/other/place/grjotagja" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grjótagjá cave</a> in the Mývatn area is sweet but not entirely realistic if you want to reenact that scene. You can visit the natural hot spring but you are advised not to swim in it. People used to bath there, but geological activity in the area has increased the temperature of the hot spring to a degree where it is not safe for you to go for a dip. I know it is tempting because it is a beautiful hot spring in a cave, but I think it is wise to not risk burning yourself. </p> <h2><strong>Season 4</strong></h2> <h4><strong>An Epic Battle At Thingvellir National Park</strong></h4> <p>The historical and famous <a href="https://www.thingvellir.is/en/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park</a> became even more famous after it was featured in season 4 of Game of Thrones. This is where the epic battle between Brienne of Tarth and The Hound over Arya takes place. Every time I see that scene, I still tense up with anticipation. It’s a brutal fight and if you want to check it out, watch the video below.</p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2P2ByOtOOs&amp;feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2P2ByOtOOs&amp;feature=youtu.be</a> <p>The narrow passage along the <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/iceland/southern/oxararfoss-waterfall-trail" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Öxarárfoss trail</a> in this area is where the scenes to the entrance to Bloody Gate were filmed. Once you are beyond the Bloody Gate, you have entered the Eyrie</p> <p>Þingvellir is a major historical site because it was where Iceland’s first and the world’s oldest Parliament or Alþingi met. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is part of the Golden Circle, which also includes Geysir hot spring and Gullfoss waterfall.</p> <h2><strong>Season 7</strong><br/></h2> <h4><strong>Fighting the Army of the Dead – Kirkjufell Mountain</strong><br/></h4> <p>Even though you saw the arrow shaped mountain <a href="https://www.west.is/en/west/place/kirkjufell-mountain" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kirkjufell</a> on Snæfellsnes Peninsula make an appearance during season 6 of the show, it wasn’t until season 7 that it had a more active role in the background.  You see it when Jon Snow and his men head north to fight the army of the dead. It also appears in a vision that the Hound has. In that vision, the dead are marching by the mountain. I have hiked up Kirkjufell and it is a fun challenge.</p> <p>The day we went was a bit cloudy and the rain was on its way, so we didn’t go the way to the top, but I plan to go back to do that in the future.  The views from the mountain are amazing. I only recommend hiking it if you are in good physical condition and are ok with physically having to climb up some parts. It does get a bit steep in some areas and the pathways can be narrow.</p> <p>If hiking up steep mountain doesn’t exciting to you, no worries. You can perfectly enjoy Kirkjufell on the ground. Directly across from it is a beautiful waterfall called Kirkjufellsfoss. A decent amount of people go there to take photos of the waterfall with the mountain in the background.</p> <h4><strong>The Brotherhood without Banners – Dyrhólaey</strong><br/></h4> <p>On the south coast of Iceland are beautiful cliffs called <a href="https://www.south.is/en/moya/toy/index/place/dyrholaey" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Dyrhólaey</a>. In episode 5 of season 7 in Game of Thrones, they were used to represent the location of the East-Watch by the Sea. Jon Snow, Gendry, Jorah Mormont, and Tormund Giantsbane arrive on one of the iconic black sand beaches you see in the south. They are there to meet the Brotherhood without Banners, who are in a jail cell.</p> <h4><strong>Capturing a Wight – Stakkholtsgjá</strong><br/></h4> <p>One of my favorite places in Iceland is Þórsmörk. On the way to Þórsmörk is a truly magnificent canyon called <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g189952-i223-k10744263-Accessing_Stakkholtsgja_Canyon_Thorsmork-Iceland.html" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Stakkholtsgjá</a>. I have only been there once but that was enough to cement it in my mind as a place that I must visit again. That canyon is where Jon Snow and the rest of the men attempt to capture a wight in order to prove to people that the walking dead are real</p> Stakkholtsgjá Canyon <p>If you are in Iceland during the summer, I recommend considering visiting <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%B3rsm%C3%B6rk" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Þórsmörk</a> and this canyon. The only caveat is that you have to cross rivers to get to these places. I do not recommend or encourage you to do that with a rental car. You can ruin the car and that damage is not covered by the rental car insurance. You can take a bus tour or have an experienced driver guide take you.</p> <h4><strong>Male Bonding near Gigjökull</strong><br/></h4> <p>While Jon Snow and his fighting squad venture out to find a wight, they walk past Gigjökull, an outlet glacier from the infamous Eyjafjallajökull. This rapidly receding glacier is in the south of the country. The funny part is that within the same scene, the Hound points to Kirkjufell, which is in the west of the country. The men are on foot. While the timeline of how long they have been walking in the snow and cold is not clear, I just think it is worth pointing out that these locations are not that close together.</p> <h2><strong>Season 8</strong><br/></h2> <p>As mentioned in the beginning of this episode, season 8 drops on April 14th! The black sand beaches in the south coast of Iceland signify the homeland of the Targaryens. They will make an appearance in the new season. Additionally, Kirkjufell mountain will show up again. </p> <h2><strong>Random Fact of Episode</strong></h2> <p>The Mountain, who is a soldier and the Hound’s brother, is an Icelandic actor.  His name is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haf%C3%BE%C3%B3r_J%C3%BAl%C3%ADus_Bj%C3%B6rnsson" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson</a> and he is just as huge, maybe more than, in person as on the show. He stands at 6 foot 9 and weighs more than 400 pounds. Hafþór is a strong man competitor and it quite good at it. He is the first person to win the Arnold Strongman Classic, the World’s Strongest Man, and Europe’s Strongest Man in the same calendar year. Hafþór currently holds the title of the world’s strongest man.</p> <p>I feel like this is such a fascinating fact because normally film studios have to use CGI to make people this big. It’s amazing to me that a person can be this huge! </p> <h2><strong>Icelandic Word of the Episode</strong></h2> <p>Þáttaröð – row of episodes or a series</p> <p>Þáttur – episode</p> <p>Röð – row</p> <h2>Let’s be social! Here is where you can connect with me on social media platforms:</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromforeigntofamiliar/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingsiceland/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/jewellschambers" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p>I hope you enjoyed this episode. I release a new podcast episode every week. Make sure you are subscribed to the <a href="https://www.fromforeigntofamiliar.com/category/all-things-iceland-episodes/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">All Things Iceland podcast</a> so you don’t miss new episodes. Also, don’t forget to enter to win the All Things Iceland podcast giveaway. The link is below.</p> <a href="https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/m32t0ENK#!/0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <p>Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega</p>

Game of Thrones:  Where Scenes Were Filmed in Iceland – Ep. 38

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