Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with iceland

He(lgason) Hate Me

Mountain Goatse — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:07:59 -0800

In a recent MeTa thread, Krilli says that the only racism in Iceland is against the Polish and Asians. Why for? How does racism against Asians in Iceland manifest itself? What are Icelandic stereotypes of Asian people and where did they come from? Should an Asian person visiting Iceland be concerned about this?

Hosting an Australian website from Iceland: ridiculous?

carnival of animals — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:07:27 -0800

I have my heart set on an .is domain which spells out the name of my Australian website, but I'm restricted to using web hosts registered with the ISNIC (administers the .is gTLD), which means hosting from Iceland/Europe. Should I give up on it? (If not, can you recommend a host?) A previous question asked about this, but I think the rules on registering an .is domain have changed since 2005, because I can't see any mention on the ISNIC website of requirements for an Icelandic business presence or trademark. I have in fact successfully registered the domain I want to use, somehow managing to have skipped over the bit in the FAQ which points to a list of approved hosts.

For a host to be registered with the ISNIC, they have to conform to the ISNIC's (I think) quite strict technical requirements, pay a modest tariff, and host at least 10 .is domains at any one time. Of course, no Australian host is registered with them.

I read that Icelandic web hosting is meant to be quite cheap because of low energy costs (cheap sustainable geothermal energy, and less cooling necessary), but from the very limited research I've been able to do (Google can't translate Icelandic yet), this doesn't really seem to be the case? Perhaps this only applies 'in bulk' to companies running high-load apps/services and not to hosting relatively humble webpages?

My instant reaction when reading about the hosting requirements was that I had made a mistake, but then most of the websites I regularly visit I suppose are hosted in the US, so maybe it's not completely silly? I can still change the name of the project, but I have my heart set on this name and the .com.au equivalent is taken. I don't expect the website will be drawing huge amounts of traffic any time soon, (say, before the new 1.9 Tbps cable referred to in the Wired article comes online) but I'd like to go with a hosting company that will let me scale up when necessary.

If you don't think I'm being overly sentimental about the name and can read Icelandic, I would be most grateful for host recommendations!

Implications of Iceland's putative international debt arrangements?

laumry — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:07:42 -0800

Can anyone comment on the sovereignty implications of the putative debt agreements that the Icelandic government is seeking to enter into with Britain and the Netherlands? Hello all. I am writing on behalf of a friend of mine, who is a very concerned Icelandic citizen.

At the moment, the Icelandic government is apparently negotiating a debt agreement with the governments of Britain and the Netherlands. Earlier today, these putative debt agreements were leaked onto the internet. Here’s a link to a newspaper article in one of Iceland’s newspapers of record, that in turn gives links to the loan documents at the bottom.

The loan documents seem pretty short versus what I’d expect – 20 pages each. Our question is: what are the implications of these loan agreements for Iceland’s sovereignty?

I would be delighted to get views from not just any financiers and international lawyers, but also anyone else who can spare some time and critical faculty to take a look at this.

My friend believes that since Iceland’s population is so small, there aren’t many home-grown experts qualified to talk about this – and what few there may not be credible commenters given their role in Iceland’s recent financial history. Hence this shout out to Metafilter – international, intelligent, and independent!

Fermented potato pulp flavoured with caraway seeds

wrok — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:17:54 -0800

Where can I get Brennivin in the States? (Or online without ridiculous shipping) I love this stuff, but don't really go to Iceland all that often (i.e. I went once). I've found online stores with high, but manageable prices -- unfortunately shipping is unbelievably expensive (shipping liquids internationally and all).

Do I have any options?

Have you met Bjo---ah, never mind.

suedehead — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:56:57 -0800

Reykjavik, Iceland, from Saturday to Thursday. Help me have some fun! I'm leaving for Reykjavik, from this Saturday (3/14) to Thursday (3/19).

I'm going with my girlfriend, and we're from NYC, in our early-mid 20s, interested in contemporary & independent art, jazz/indie music, literature, etc. We're mostly planning on in wandering around, taking time to enjoy the city and the landscape, but we're also interested in attending some of the more independent/underground music/art venues or events going on in the city. Both of us probably won't return to Iceland for a while, so we'd also like to take the chance to do some must-do things.

Basically, any recommendations for anything whatsoever would be recommended. I've heard good things about the Blue Lagoon -- is it worth it? We're interested in seeing the Northern Lights -- what's the best way to do that? Are there any must-see-do things to do? Hidden paths to walk on? Are there any interesting music venues? Good street art locations? One-time performances at midnight? Et cetera..

Thanks a bunch in advance!

Or will I be doomed to sit in a hotel room and gaze forlornly at the Arctic Circle?

kittyprecious — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:18:06 -0800

Would it be worthwhile to go to the West Fjords of Iceland in springtime? I am spending a few days in Iceland on a stopover at the end of April and am flirting with the idea of flying up to Ísafjörður to drive and/or hike around the fjords for a couple of days. So, "worthwhile" in the sense that the roads are likely to be open/nonhazardous and the weather won't be bone-chilling. (...and that flights won't be canceled for the same reasons.)

The guidebooks I've looked at give travel advice for summer, fall, and winter, but are curiously silent on springtime. Should I just stick to Reykjavík and the Golden Circle and save this diversion for a warmer time of year?

Best way to take a punt on Icelandic recovery?

priorpark17 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:34:47 -0800

Iceland - How to invest? Are there restrictions of foreigners owning Icelandic govt bonds, Icelandic Kroner, property? Is there an Icelandic REIT open to foreigners? What is the best way to take a punt on an Icelandic recovery?

How are the Icelanders doing?

borkingchikapa — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:24:55 -0800

So, what does the financial and political collapse in Iceland mean for the average citizen? Can anyone give me some anecdotes about how daily life has changed in the past few months? Are people struggling with basic things like food, rent and utilities? Are middle class families being forced onto the street?

Here in the US, it doesn't seem like life has really changed that much. I know people are losing their jobs and houses, but all I see on the street is everyone spending a little less money and bitching about how poor they are. Iceland is a small, homogeneous country, so are the consequences are more widespread?

Looking for a history of Iceland

heylight — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:57:48 -0800

Looking for a history of Iceland... So I’d like to know everything there is to know about the history of Iceland, from its original settlement up and as close to 2009 as possible (perhaps two different works might be needed for older and newer periods). I’d like this non-fiction work to be interesting and not too academic or stale, and to involve as many elements of Iceland’s historical unfolding as possible (i.e. the cultural [i.e. musical developments, literature and poetry], social, anthropological, economic, political, psychological) – and while I don’t want it to be boring, I still would like it to be thoroughgoing and not overtly sparse or general. And I can’t help but think that the best example of this would come from an Icelandic who truly understands and indeed has lived/lives the psychology and ongoing mythology of his or her country.

But whatever works =)

Thanks!

Where should I put my money?

Mike1024 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:54:05 -0800

I live in the UK, and I've heard some people saying there may be trying economic times ahead for my country. Is there anything I should be doing with my savings? I've got about £50,000 in conventional savings accounts - ISAs and suchlike, all cash (as opposed to stocks/shares/bonds) and in GBP currency*. If sending my money abroad I'd prefer not to be Icesave'd. And yes, I know to take ask mefi's financial advice with a pinch of salt.

*Hell yeah I'm an adventurous risk-taker!

Ah, Iceland in November.

theoddball — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:53:10 -0800

A friend and I are preparing to head to fabulous Iceland for a week, next week. So, MeFi, I ask you -- what should two twentysomething guys do for fun in the Iceland off-season? (Or: what can't we miss?) Are there any specific things we should be aware of because of the banking crisis (in both the logistical and not-being-jerks senses)? The tentative plan is to base out of hotels in Reykjavik for the bulk, if not necessarily all of the time. We're in relatively good shape, and up for daytrips/hikes/whatever adventures may be had, though we're not bringing in camping gear. However, I know a number of excursions only run during peak season, and even the southern part of the country will probably only get ~9 hours of daylight when we're there. What's still on the table? Is it worth taking a couple days and heading up north (to Akureyri, perhaps? Where else?)

What do we absolutely, positively need to pack? (I hear raingear and conditioner are both good ideas, for, uh, different reasons.)

Any and all suggestions--on any and all of the questions--are welcomed. Thanks, folks!

Help me help out Iceland

nanojath — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:07:48 -0800

I'd like to do Iceland a solid It's common knowledge Iceland is getting hit hard by the global economy. I'm not sophisticated enough to speak to how much they deserve it. But I'd like to do my little part to help them out. I think they deserve some help. I don't have much (hardly any) capital to throw at their problem. Put it simply: what could I best do to help Iceland out. Write my congress-men and -women? Sign up for Eve Online? Students of global economy, give me some advice.

Trip to Iceland during economic crisis

kingfisher, his musclebound cat — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:24:29 -0800

I was planning to take a short, last minute vacation to Iceland next week. Now the economy is collapsing (worse than ours). Apparently people are hoarding food because local groceries aren't getting much in. But I don't much else about what is happening on the ground. I hear about banks and governments, but that doesn't help me judge. Should I still go? Will it be cheaper? More expensive?

The Swedish Chef Would Answer This In Two Shakes

A Long and Troublesome Lameness — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:52:29 -0800

Which Nordic country should I visit? I would like to visit a Nordic country (Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, or Finland). They interest me equally. Which one do you recommend for: (1) Americans; (2) traveling with a three-year-old; (3) with no significant knowledge of the local languages; and (4) who will spend most but not all of their time in that country's largest city?

Aside from all being great places to live...

StrikeTheViol — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 07:58:28 -0800

I'd like to know more about social, cultural and economic differences between Scandinavian countries. I've seen this and have a few acquaintances that introduced me to national stereotypes, but I'm sure it gets more complex. How does life really vary across Scandinavia?

Help me plan my Scandinavian adventure!

snickerdoodle — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:50:54 -0800

Help me plan my Scandinavian adventure! I'm going to be spending 4 days in Iceland and 6 days in Norway in late August. Right now we're planning on flying into Iceland on a Friday, then departing Monday for Bergen. I somehow how have to get to Oslo by Friday for a wedding.

I'm looking for hotel and restaurant recommendations in Iceland and Bergen, Norway, as well as quirky, won't-find-this-anywhere-else type places. I've been to Norway before as a kid, and seem to recall not enjoying the native food, but I'm definitely willing to give it another shot. I'd like to do some hiking/outdoorsy things, but due to logistics will have limited equipment on me. I also love to dance.

Bonus question: what does one wear to an August wedding in Oslo?

How can I make the most of a trip to Iceland in August?

chinese_fashion — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:12:56 -0800

How can I plan a trip to Iceland this August? What do you recommend to do, where to stay, what to budget ... and how can we spend money intelligently rather than in tourist traps, etc. I am hoping to meet a friend in Reykjavik this August. I'm flying in from NYC, he (is an Aussie) from Ghana.

We both love checking out natural wonder, hiking, natural hot springs, etc., but would greatly appreciate turning it out at bars at night sometimes, too. I know very, very little about the country, apart from the fact that it's both gorgeous and pricey.

What would you recommend doing while there? Any "can't-miss" things? Affordable hotels that may be a cut above hostels without being exactly opulent?

Any links, tips, ideas where to start are greatly appreciated. I'm not sure where to turn, but need to get planning.

Advice on Bicycling and Camping in Iceland

chriswarren — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:09:56 -0800

I'm spending two weeks in Iceland in September. I'm hoping to hire a bicycle for at least a week and do some camping. Where should I look in to going, and is there anything I should be aware of? I'm in good shape and bike daily, so I'm confident I can make it a fairly decent distance, probably up to 80-100km a day. As I mentioned, I'd like to camp most nights, but I wouldn't be opposed to staying in a village or somewhere else on some nights. I'm not looking to create a complete itinerary, I'm just looking for any warnings or experiences that anyone might be able to share.

Travel Writer's Guide to Iceland (in 4 days!)

0bvious — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:30:02 -0800

Four days in Iceland from Friday: me and my girlfriend are travel writers and will eventually do a write up of the hotel, restaurants and attractions we visit. How can we best stray off the beaten path in only FOUR days? I have browsed the previous Iceland question on AskMefi, and got some great info, but am now really looking for something unique, and perhaps even, specific to this weekend (Fri 22nd to Wed 27th).

We are staying in Reykjavik at the 101 Hotel. We WILL be visiting the Blue Lagoon, as it is in our writing contract. How else are we to best spend our time? We want to do a really original and exciting write-up of our stay.

And also, what is the weather like at the moment (for anyone who might live there)? And what kind of budget might we need?

Thanks a lot!

Can you help me track down the man who introduced football to Iceland in 1895, a Scotsman by the name of James B. Ferguson?

Kattullus — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:02:42 -0800

In 1895 a Scottish printer by the name of James B. Ferguson introduced Icelanders to football (soccer) and gymnastics. Is there any way to find out what happened to Ferguson after he left Iceland in 1896? His names is James B. Ferguson (no idea what the B stands for). He was a Scottish printer. He worked at a printing company called Ísafoldarprentssmiðja (sometimes known as Ísafold) in Reykjavík. He was a passionate practitioner of football and gymnastics. In 1895 he founded Reykjavík Gymnastics Club which died down after he left the country in 1896. He may have had some connection to the International Organization of Good Templars since the Gymnastics Club performed in the IOGT building in Reykjavík but that is probably a spurious link as the IOGT may simply have had the best space in Reykjavík for exhibitions of that kind.

So, that's the sum total of information I've managed to scrounge up on the man who pioneered the game of football in Iceland. Is there a hope in heck I can find out more about this man based on the extremely small amount of information there exists on him? I'm not actually in Iceland so I can't go digging through old records.

Can I move my money to Reykjavik?

tomwheeler — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:29:48 -0800

I read in the Wall Street Journal this weekend that Iceland's Central Bank raised interest rates...to 13.75 percent! Can I move my money to Reykjavik? I've seen high rates from countries with unstable economies before, but I don't think Iceland is going anywhere. They have moderate inflation (~ 3.5% IIRC) and I'd doubt the US dollar is going to make a comeback real soon. Even after currency conversion fees, I still ought to handily beat online savings account yields.

So is there any reason I can't move my US dollars to an Icelandic bank and enjoy a 13.75% interest rate? Maybe laws, taxes or other factors that make this infeasible?

Questions about a month-long trip to Iceland.

sjl7678 — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:09:01 -0800

Lots of questions about a month-long trip to Iceland. I've been wanting to travel to Iceland for a while now and I've got some questions.

First, a bit of background. I'm a 22 year old computer programmer, bassist, photographer, and swing dancer that will be graduating from college in about six months. I plan on working full time for a year or so after that to get settled and get some more spare money before I go.

I want to go for three weeks to a month so I have time to really experience things. I'm not the kind of person that would enjoy one of those guided-do-standard-things-and-get-back-on-the-bus tours; I'd like to go on my own and meet new friends, see what I want to see for as long as I want to see it, etc.

I've looked at some of the other Iceland questions here but none of them addressed all the questions I have. So anyway, here we go:

Is three weeks to a month too long or not long enough? I'm sure Iceland has plenty of things to hold my interest for much longer than a month; my main concern is actually my next question.

Money: how much will I need? I'm not being unrealistic and expecting to go for a month and spend $500, but since I'll be fresh out of college I won't be exactly rolling in cash either. I'll probably have a few thousand US dollars I can manage to spend on the trip; is this going to limit me enough that I should think about shortening the trip? I'm not the kind of person that wants to go drink pricy stuff at a bar or do the glitzy guided tours but I've heard how expensive Iceland is in general and want to make sure I'm not getting in over my head.

While I'm on the issue of money, what's the best way to live while I'm there? I'm sure hotels would be expensive, but are there any cheap hostels I should look into? I've never stayed at a hostel while traveling because I usually stay with friends but since I don't have any Icelandic friends I'm out of luck. Do I need to worry about securing my luggage/valuables at a hostel?

Is it safe to assume that a US passport will be all I need to get in and out of the country, or will I need some other things too?

I'm thinking about taking my laptop to pull images from my camera and also keep in touch with the rest of the world. Is this a bad idea? Would it be better to invest in one of those little hard drives you can plug an SD card into and store the pictures on? Either way, what do I need to know about power/voltage issues coming from the US?

I'd love to learn some Icelandic before I go, but I can't find a class anywhere near me. Does anyone have any advice? I know this question has been asked before and I've looked at the answers; I was just wondering if anyone had any new advice for me.

When's the best time to see the northern lights? It's not something I'm dead set on but I'd really love to see them if I can. I'm planning this trip far enough ahead (1.5 to 2 years) that I can schedule my trip at almost any time of the year that I want.

On that note, aside from the northern lights, is there a specific time of the year that I should visit? I'm sure each season has its own benefits; what are they?

I also play bass and love jazz; what's the jazz scene like in Iceland? Are there any good jazz clubs I should definitely visit? Is there any chance I could sit in at a jam session while over there and if so where could I rent or borrow a bass (electric) for a night?

Recommendations of places to see are welcome too; I'm still in the process of making a list of things I really need to go. Flickr is great for this!

If there's anything else you think I should know please share! Thanks in advance!

Where can I buy Icelandic fish jerky?

Forktine — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:40:05 -0800

Where can I buy Icelandic dried fish jerky (Harðfiskur) in the US or Canada? And, if I like fish jerky, what other yummy but unusual preserved foods should I try? A friend recently brought back a package of fish jerky from Iceland. It was really tasty, and I would like to see about buying some more. The only place I could find selling it online via Google was in Iceland; I'd just as soon avoid paying international shipping and maybe import duty for something so trivial, so I was hoping someone would know of a store or internet retailer in the US or Canada that imports and sells harðfiskur.

And I would welcome suggestions for other unusual but yummy dried or preserved foods that would be fun to try. (For "unusual," read: "unlikely to be found in a large US grocery store with a decent international section.") Flavorful is good, but nothing so pungent as to be room-clearing, please. I'm open to trying anything as long as it can be ordered online or on the phone (so your grandmother's homemade sausage in Slovakia may be the most awesome food ever, but if she isn't selling it in the US, telling me about it doesn't help very much). I visit friends in Canada several times a year, so Canadian-based suggestions are most welcome.

Iceland for a month: How much would it cost?

jacob — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:54:40 -0800

Has anyone taken an extended (one month+) trip to Iceland? What was your budget and what did you do? I'm thinking of taking a one-month trip to Iceland in about 6 months, and I'm trying to get an idea of a budget for the trip as well as plenty of off the beaten track ideas for what to visit.

(I've searched the web and the green for previous posts, and none seem to address the budget issue, in particular.)

Iceland subprime?

OmieWise — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 06:32:33 -0800

On Friday on NPR a European banker was talking about "sub-prime countries" and mentioned Iceland in a list that included, for instance, the countries of E. Europe. I wasn't surprised about the latter, but thought it was interesting that Iceland got this designation. Can anyone explain to me the Iceland economy (in broad strokes) and why it might be considered "sub-prime"? (I understood "subprime" in this context to not be a technical but a rhetorical designation echoing the mortgage market issues, hence the scare quotes.)