Iceland appreciation thread

[bixente]

What an amazing country.

The landscape.

The music.

The literature.

Few things I wish to do more than travel there.

What does Iceland mean to you?

[FloridaJudy]

1. People who've managed to thrive

In an unbelievably hostile and fragile environment. I just finished reading Jared Diamond's Collapse, and it seems the Icelanders have learned from their earlier environmental mistakes. This country would do will to emulate their example.

[Connonym]

2. I've never been there but

I've actually read a lot about it and seen travel shows so that's how my opinion was formed -- it means strong people, long-lived people, weird foods, warm mineral springs, Irish/Viking spirit that doesn't let darkness depress them. They embrace it, they live large, live long, work hard and not only have the longest life expectancy in the world but also are considered to be among the most happy, prosperous nations. I'd seriously consider moving there if we get 4 more years of McBush.

[bixente]

3. It wouldn't be easy

The country is very expensive and their immigration laws are strict.

[Connonym]

8. maybe I can find an Icelander sugar daddy?

not that I can find a Us sugar daddy but hey, haven't we come a long way baby when we're even thinking about selling our bodies to survive?

[DFW]

4. I haven't been there in decades

The landscape is indeed savagely beautiful. The people are very proud of their
language and heritage. There was a LOT of alcoholism there--maybe that has improved.
It used to be a very cheap place to visit. I understand this has changed 180°. But
sure, I'd like to go back some day. It's not so far from here, but to find the time
is a daunting challenge. Prague is just down the road (1 hour flight) and we took
30 years before we found a free weekend to run down there and have a look.

[bixente]

6. I read a book

It said that on one weekend night and through to the morning, after a long week Icelanders take part in a pub crawl across Reykjavik.

There was an excellent film titled 101 Reykjavik which also gave some detail to this, one scene my memory is particularly keen on is a party hosted in some house.

My contributions thus far don't seem to be expressing much appreciation. :D

[DFW]

5. Deleted due to duplication n/t

[krispos42]

7. Penis Museum and geothermal power

But sometimes weird things stick in my head...

[suninvited]

9. I lived there as a kid

there is nothing like being a 9 or a 10 year old kid with nothing better to do all day but build elaborate snow forts and bike trails and sled and have snow balls fights. The heated Icelandic public pools were great and the black beach in the summertime.

Daylight 24 hours a day for half the year, and barely any light 24 hours a day the other half.

We lived on the navy base in 1968 and 69, and I loved it, I dont think the adults loved it quite as much.

Oh, and the northern lights !

[edbermac]

10. Bobby Fischer's resting place.

[Chan790]

11. Bjork!

I dunno, I think that was covered in the OP. I just like exclaiming Bjork...The way it stumbles off the tongue so Swedish Chef-like.

[Orrex]

12. We are all Icelanders

According to Jerry Horne, anyway.