Halló (7) there reader! Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice, is an island approximately 1,362 kilometers North West from the United Kingdom and 1,210 South East from Greenland. (1) On my trip (in mid-winter), I learned that the rock and glacial terrain creates problems with building and transportation. Also, all the rivers and bodies of water contribute to the major fish industry in Iceland. FIsh is a huge part of their cuisine today. Icelanders have also turned to eco-friendly hydrogen cars in effort to lower the amount of pollutants being released into the environment. (2) Due to the large masses of water surrounding Iceland, the climate is much milder than the south artic location would imply. I brought an array of clothing, but most importantly, a rain jacket. Low pressure cyclones sweep across the North Atlantic Ocean exposing the South coast to heavy precipitation. (4)
The Financial Crisis of Iceland was an economic dilemma caused by the crash of three important banks in the country. (5) Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson is a billionaire entrepreneur specifically famous in Iceland. (6)
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, was the first city I visited. Tourism is most concentrated here than any other city in Iceland. It is the economic center of Iceland, holding most headquarters of major companies in this country. Kópavogu, which was the next city I visited, is historically important due to the meeting that took place there in 1662. During this meeting, a document was signed that confirmed the King to have total control over Iceland. The final city I visited, Akureyri, is an important port and fishing centre. (12)
WHile in Reykjavik, I visited the famous religious attraction of Hallgrimskirkja, a church completed in 1986; nearly 40 years after construction began. (13) Also in Reykjavik were the Asmundur Sveinsson Sculptures in. These are a series of sculptures in a museum depicting ordinary working people, myths, and folklore episodes. (14) On the way to Laki mountain, my tour guide describes to me the Norse holiday of Þorrablót. this holiday, commonly spelled “Thorrablot” is an Icelandic mid-winter festival originally in honor of the norse god Thor. (8) During this occasion, feasts of Þorramatur food are eaten. This is a selection of Icelandic food usually eaten during Þorrablót. Some of the dishes consist of cured meat and seafood, including putrefied shark, pickled ram testicles, and singed sheep head jam. (10) Svid is also served during this occasion. Svid is an Icelandic delicacy that we would simply call sheep’s head. Svid is commonly served with mashed potatoes and/or mashed turnips. (9)
Svid (Sheep's head)
When we reach our destination, we are introduced to the Laki Craters. The Laki Craters were by far my favorite physical feature in Iceland. This field of craters was created when fissures opened up on either side of the Laki Mountain and basalt lava poured from them. (15) The next day we leave for Vesturhop, Iceland. On the way, the tour guide and I discuss some of the taboos in the area. People always address each other by their first names; even their teachers, elders, and president. Smoking is prohibited in public as well. (3) In Vesturhop, we see Breioabolstaour which is the church that was the site at which the first laws were written. (16) The U.S. travel advisory states that there is no terrorism in Iceland and that there is little crime. It does state that Iceland is very open and vulnerable to terrorist attacks, although none have happened yet. (17) November 12, 2014- Scientists spotted rifts and sinkholes near the volcano of Bardarbunga. If this volcano erupts, it could delay the air traffic in Europe depending on which way the ash blows. (18) Handball- Often referred to as the nation’s sport, Iceland's team is one of the best in the olympics. (19) The final night of my trip was the most exciting; the sky was crystal clear and, according to my tour guide, we had a chance to see the Aurora Borealis. Although it only lasted a mere 15 minutes, we did catch a glimpse at a pink aurora; the rarest color to be observed. (20) Bless! (7)