Visit Iceland
Energy
Situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is a hot spot of geothermal activity.
Thirty post-glacial volcanoes have erupted in the past two centuries, and natural
hot water supplies much of the population with cheap, pollution-free heating.
Rivers, too, are harnessed to provide inexpensive hydroelectric power. The electrical
current is 220 volts, 50 Hz.
Language
The Icelanders still speak the language of the Vikings (Old Norse). When new
words are needed, they simply coin words that are combinations or modifications
of old words. Iceland is alone in upholding another Norse tradition: the custom
of using patronyms rather than surnames. If, for example, Einar has a son named
"Petur", the son's name is Petur Einarsson (Peter Einar's Son). If
Einar has a daughter whom he names "Margret", she becomes Margret
Einarsdottir (Margaret Einar's Daughter). Members of the same family can therefore
have different "last names", which often causes confusion to foreigners.
If you are looking for someone in the phone directory, you look them up by their
first name.
Food and Drink
Dining in Reykjavik is a culinary celebration of fresh ingredients and cultural
variety. There are over 170 restaurants in the greater Reykjavik area where
top Icelandic chefs have the advantage of cooking with pure and natural Icelandic
ingredients. Fruits and vegetables are grown organically in greenhouses and
meat and dairy products are free of additives and growth hormones. Seafood is
caught fresh daily from the glistening, pollution-free waters of Iceland. Very
often the mouth-watering halibut swimming in a delectable sauce on your dinner
plate was carelessly swimming in the ocean during breakfast.
Conclusion
This was certainly a unique place to visit. Only 5 hours flying time from New York, it's a breeze to get there and there is so much to do and see in Iceland, it's incredible. If your an outdoors person, there are no wild or poisonous animals in Iceland. The only thing that will attack you are "midges" which are minute flies that will make you itch. Camping season is rather limited due to the unpredictable weather.
The language can be, well, it's impossible. I spoke to a Swede
who is studying in Iceland, and after 2 years of learning Icelandic, is not
confident with the language. If you are intersted in Iceland I would be happy
to share my experience.
Iceland, lay of the land
