Economic woes hit Icelanders especially hard

by Aaron Hotfelder on

Considering Iceland’s location and climate, perhaps it’s no surprise that the country’s credit markets are in a deep freeze. During the “boom years” of the ’90s, Iceland became one of the richest countries in the world per capita, thanks to economic reform, a booming stock market, and an increased demand for the fish off its coasts.

But as the Guardian points out, “Iceland built its extraordinary wealth on the crest of the worldwide credit boom and now the crunch is sweeping it away, bankrupting a people for whom the past eight years have been, for most of them and by their own admission, one long party.”

Iceland’s currency is plunging towards the center of the Earth– almost as weak as the currencies of Zimbabwe and Turkmenistan– and supermarkets are having trouble paying for more food to be imported.

All of this is obviously terrible news for Icelanders, but travelers might find some unbelievable deals if they want to visit any time soon. Not only that, you’d be helping out the locals by providing some much-needed foreign investment.

More here.

(Photo via ContemplationDC)

What do they call John Doe in Iceland?

by Aaron Hotfelder on

In the US legal system, parties who wish to remain anonymous or are otherwise unidentified are often given the names “John Doe” or “Jane Doe.” Other titles, like “Average Joe” or “Joe Sixpack” or “John Q. Public,” are used when referring to the typical American man, and some names, like “Bobby Teenager,” are used only in very specific circumstances. [A million bonus points if you know where that name’s from– no asking Google.]

But what do they call John Doe in Iceland? Or Bulgaria? South Africa?

As with everything in life, Wikipedia has the answer. Here are some placeholder names from around the world:

  • Australia – Fred Nerk, Joe Farnarkle, Simon McCool
  • Ireland – Seán and Síle Citizen, John Murphy, Joe Bloggs
  • Bulgaria – Ivan Ivanov, Person X
  • South Africa – Koos van der Merwe, Piet Pompies
  • Malta – Joe Borg
  • Iceland – Meðal-Jón, Meðal-Jóna, Jón Jónsson, Jóna Jónsdóttir

And if I learned nothing else from my Czech lessons while I lived in Prague, I know that they sometimes use the names Jan Novák and Jana Nováková as placeholders. In my Czech classes, old Mr. and Mrs. Novak were always planning to go to the movies, or setting a time to meet in Wenceslas Square, or introducing themselves to each other. I always found that odd– weren’t they married?

Check out many more names from around the world here.

Iceland’s putrid fish delicacy

by Neil Woodburn on

Nature’s way of telling us not to eat something is to usually make it smell really bad. Sometimes, however, we simply ignore these warnings and eat it anyway.

If you’ve ever been to Thailand, you know what I’m talking about. The durian fruit is the most obnoxious smelling fruit on this planet. But it tastes oh, so good.

And then, of course, there’s putrefied skate – a fish related to shark.

This Icelandic delicacy, known as skata, apparently smells so bad that Icelandic apartment dwellers battle each other in search of the offending cook when the stink permeates their building.

This was one case when I listened to Mother Nature and stayed far away from this decomposing fish. However, had I read Strange-Smelling Delicacy (Iceland Review) before visiting Iceland, I might have ended up trying the nasty thing.

For example, the article points out that the fish isn’t necessarily decomposing, but rather it’s fermenting, like cheese. Hmm… that makes it sound a little better. In addition, Icelanders claim it cures all sorts of things from hangovers to seasickness.

The smell, however, is apparently unrelenting. The author shares an example of his brother getting mocked and turned down by the local girls because his clothes reeked of skata.

I never touched the stuff when I was in Iceland and I was turned down as well. So I guess I would have had nothing to lose if I smelled of fermented cheese during my time there.

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Where on Earth? Week 35: Landmannalaugar, Iceland

by Neil Woodburn on


Congrats go out this week to Amanda for taking a wild guess on Iceland, and Beanie for nailing the exact location: the hot springs at Landmannalaugar, Iceland.

I had the good fortune to soak in these springs a few years ago when I toured this fantastic island. There is really nothing quite like Iceland, and within Iceland, there is really nothing quite like Landmannalaugar.

For a handful of adventurous souls, Landmannalaugar is either the start point or finish point of a six-day trek through the wilds of Iceland–past bubbling mud pits, ice caves, steaming vents, and multi-colored sands. Those who know how to live life properly ensure that the hot springs are at the end of their journey so they can lounge in the waters and wash away the pains of a long trek.

A word of warning, however. My brother and I almost lost the rental car crossing a river on the way here. A local informed us that a rental car a week gets washed away in that river. Consider yourself warned.

Iceland: best place to live. Or die, depending on which you prefer.

by Iva Skoch on

The U.N. has published their annual Human Development Index and guess what, a Scandinavian country won. I know what you are thinking. NO WAY, a Scandinavian country? That never happens.

It’s true. Iceland is officially the most desirable country on the planet. Norway, the former winner is now, sadly, number two. Let’s hope the gloomy result does not increase their suicide rates. The UN would probably not like that.

Honestly, can Scandinavian countries actually win all the world’s surveys? From lowest infant mortality rates to highest standard of living, they got it. Meanwhile, the US keeps slipping, from 8th place last year down to 12th this year.

What about introducing the category “sunshine” or “warmth” into the mix? That might push Sierra Leone, currently dead last, up a few notches.