So here I am in Reykjavik – a town not even the size of Swansea where over half the population of the Icelandic nation resides.
And the others .. are they ‘tourists? I don’t think that is the right label. Only adventurers, romantics, poets, and other oddballs and misfits would come to an isolated island in the far north where a summer day of 15 C is considered pleasantly warm. Hardly a holiday – unless you like relaxing in a refrigerator while all your friends are getting a tan in the sun back home.
Me? I spent this past winter in a tropical hothouse were 30+ C was the norm, every day. I was due for a change in climate.
So who are the Icelanders? They’re the bunch of misfits that sailed from Norway a thousand years ago and settled this barren outpost. And a thousand years of inbreeding is quite evident. Light blue eyes, blonde hair, and a sligtly pudgy physic is the norm. Yes, they all look related to each other. And they are.
So we’re all misfits here. Old misfits and some newer arrivals just passing through.
Icelanders are typical Northern Europeans. – crusty on the outside but quite warm and friendly once conversation is initiated and contact is made.
People like to drink here despite a social stigma attached to alcohol. Beer was only legalized 30 years ago and there is a radio station broadcast here (in American English) of testimonials by reformed alcoholics – 24 hours a day! I’m looking forward to this weekend.as Reykjavik has quite a party reputation. Hope I survive it.
Language: Islandic is an old Norse language. Basically Viking tongue.. But English is the second language and virtually everybody can speak it. And speak it very well. Better than most of the working class English I dare say.
Whale watching tours is big here – despite the fact that Iceland is one of the few nations that still hunt whales. But I was assured by one whale watching tour guide that only 40 some Minke whales out of a population of some 60.000 are killed each year so its not to worry.
Think I’ll hang out here for a few more days before heading around the South-West coast to my last port of call before pushing off to Scotland.
Until later,
Simon
P.S. Made a short video clip of my trip here - will post it soon.
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