Ísafjördur, Iceland

Ísafjördur is the largest settlement (3500 people) of the Westfjords, which is apparently the most rugged and remote corner of Iceland. I will remember it as being surrounded by tall mountains, covered in green, little houses and long-haired sheep, with friendly people and hanging fish. I had the absolute BEST tour guide here, who would be a good friend if we lived in the same place. She was 27 and had 3 children, the oldest 10 years old, and the whole time I asked funny questions and she told interesting stories.

What I learned about Iceland:

- When sick, their mom would serve blueberry soup (blueberries, sugar and water on the stove) and Coke

- Horses have 5 gaits here and they must stay in Iceland. If they are shown in a different country, they must be sold on the spot because you can't bring them back

- This winter started early- Sept instead of mid-Oct. They lost a few thousand sheep, but the survivors showed how tough they were they were unburied after a week!

- Iceland was created by "fire and ice"

- Iceland  is on a bridge of tectonic plates

- Icelandic language hasn't changed much; it's still easy to read Viking texts. Literary traditions such as sitting around the fire and telling folklore is still popular (especially stories about elves!)

- Christian or heathen? Most would say they are Christian with a few heathen values- like they can still pray to idols (such as Freyr, the Norse god of fertility) but only in secret

- Hotel Edda is a cheap and comfortable hotel in summers and a boarding school during the year

- 1 murder a yr, usually solved in 24 hrs. Casualties all from traffic accidents and extreme weather

- They learn English and Danish at age 9

- Best months to visit are Dec/Jan to see the Northern Lights but don't drive! Summer is the nicest in July/Aug. Sept is beautiful - changing colors

- Only 5 presidents since 1944. A man lost his dog last year and the president found it and called the phone number on the collar!

- They won't join EU because they want to keep their right to fish mackerel :)

Me with Linda, a lovable Belgium passenger, and my lovely Guide, Lisbeth

Becky, Brooke and Ryan on the tender riding in

Hanging fish and a local talking to passengers

Church where we got to hear a local girl sing Icelandic folk songs

The troublemaker kids are put to work dancing and playing music for tourists...great idea!

Samples of Brennevín, Icelandic schnapps, and fermented shark...yum and EW!

Bolungarvik, a small fishing village

Real fisherman in old traditional sealskin fishing gear

They hang the mackerel for 3-4 weeks outside so it's as chewy as tree bark

Place a buttercup under the chin of the one you love. If their chin glows yellow, they love you back!