Hiding in plain sight: Snæfellsnes. Posted by hulda on Jun 30, 2014
On a clear day you can see Snæfellsnes all the way to Reykjavík. This is not because the clean Icelandic air or the brightness of the midnight sun allowing you to see forever, it’s just really close to the capital city! I’m not even joking here, one day is all you need to drive to Snæfellsnes, go all…
A Love Letter to the Icelandic disregard of time. Posted by hulda on Jun 24, 2014
Dear Iceland, When I first moved here four years ago I almost didn’t have a culture shock. Iceland and Finland seemed so similar, though one had trees and lakes and the other one mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls and glaciers, I very nearly felt at home right away. Except. Whenever I arranged to meet with my local…
Hiding in plain sight: Hvalfjörður. Posted by hulda on Jun 16, 2014
When you hear of Hvalfjörður from the locals it’s often spoken of as how to avoid it. This time you should not listen to the advice: there’s clear logic behind wanting to avoid going there but it’s definitely not because the place wasn’t worth a visit! No, what Icelanders usually think of when Hvalfjörður is…
Come all you sailors (and others as well)! Posted by hulda on Jun 6, 2014
It gives life, it takes life, the Icelandic attitude towards the sea is divided in two. On one hand the local artists will adore it in their works and declare it the height of all things mysterious and wonderful, on another are the people who put their lives at risk on it. The difference is…
The Iceaboo. Posted by hulda on May 31, 2014
Iceaboo: a person whose idea of Iceland is strongly coloured by vikings, fermented shark, Sigur Rós, Björk and a short visit they once did; may end up in danger of death by failing to use common sense, most likely wants to move to Iceland. Often wears Iceland’s flag in some form and/or a plastic helmet…
Nightless nights, dayless days. Posted by hulda on May 26, 2014
Like A hundred names for snow might show, Icelandic has quite a rich vocabulary when it comes to nature and the seasons. An obvious example besides snow is light and darkness and the change from one to other, because the time during which day and night are about the same length is very, extremely short. Due…
Summer house adventure! Posted by hulda on May 21, 2014
Big news! I have handed in my BA thesis! After four years of work and a very harsh thesis-writing spring this called for a celebration so gathering up a group of friends we did what Icelanders would do – we went to a summer house. When you travel in Iceland you’ll soon train your eye…