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Tag Archives: culture

6 things Iceland doesn’t have. Posted by on Apr 28, 2016

Even though Iceland has many awesome things to offer, some things you might take for granted it just doesn’t have. This might come as a surprise on many occasions so be prepared in advance because occasionally our lack of something may have a huge effect on your stay. Iceland does compensate for what it doesn’t have with what…

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5 stubborn presidents of Iceland. Posted by on Apr 21, 2016

The president of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, has been in the news this week a lot after he announced he would run again in the next elections. He’s already among the 20 longest ruling non-monarch national leaders currently in office so his decision has raised some eyebrows over here, especially since it came but a…

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Golden plovers seen in Iceland! Posted by on Mar 31, 2016

If ravens entering towns is a sign that winter is coming, sightings of a golden plover mean summer is on its way. The golden plover is a migratory bird that only spends the warm season in Iceland so it’s gained itself a reputation of a spring bringer, and each year people eagerly wait for its first…

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Easter proverb time. Posted by on Mar 28, 2016

What’s Easter without the Icelandic tradition of people giving each other gigantic chocolate eggs filled with more chocolate, candy and proverbs? Not a proper Easter says I! The eggs must absolutely be of the Icelandic variety too, nothing else will do unless… unless the eggs meet a certain criteria. The chocolate itself is delicious but while…

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Fin whales safe for summer! Posted by on Mar 3, 2016

Whales are in the news now that one of the biggest whalers of Iceland, Hvalur hf., has announced there won’t be whaling of fin whales this summer due to problems in whale meat exporting to Japan (link). The Icelandic market is so tiny and whale meat is no stable dish here that it simply isn’t…

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5 points to reading Icelanders right. Posted by on Feb 25, 2016

As more and more tourists pour in run-ins with the local habits and culture are inevitable. One of the big issues I’ve seen foreigners take with Iceland is rudeness, or what’s perceived as rude. I say “perceived” because in many occasions I find the real problem is a culture shock rather than any real…

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Celebrating bolla-pastries. Posted by on Feb 4, 2016

BOLLA BOLLA BOLLA BOLLA! This is what many parents of small children will shortly hear screamed happily at them while they get beaten up with colourful, decorative wands. Bolludagur, the Day of Bolla (bolla = Icelandic version of choux pastries) is almost here. This year it will be celebrated on the 8th February and the…

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