Her tales norsk. I'm a native Californian who has spent part of her childhood, and so far all of her adulthood, in Bergen, Norway. What you say about meeting people, making friends, etc. is exactly what I have observed here in Norway. It frustrates me that Norwegians in general seem to never be open to the idea of making a new friend as an adult.

I found your blog via the Bloggie awards and you became a new favorite, also because I'm curious about Iceland.
Keera | Homepage | 09.04.08 - 6:33 am | #

I put my summer tyres on, yesterday
hildigunnur | Homepage | 09.04.08 - 9:17 am | #

I guess it shouldn't surprise me how similar Iceland and Finland are. We have this joke that Sweden is the world's biggest Finland, but I guess it goes for any Nordic country, really. Only the language in restaurant menus vary.
marloff | Homepage | 09.04.08 - 9:59 am | #

Alda, the Icelanders sound a lot like the Swiss. Few superficial friendships, but a friend is a friend for life.

I wish I had your self-discipline - when deadlines loom I have to eschew the internet completely to keep on track; at least the fun part of the net.

o xxx

PS. Hi btw, and I hope you're well. I'll try not to be too much of a stranger in future!
orchidea | Homepage | 09.04.08 - 12:26 pm | #

Hi Keera, and welcome! Evidently what I described in the post is not exclusive to Iceland ... as evidenced by the other commenters. I also remember this being an issue when I lived in Germany. Maybe it's a Europe-wide syndrome!

Hildigunnur,
Boo. With any luck this will be it.

Hi Marloff and welcome to you, too! Yes, the Nordic people do have a lot in common, we're related after all!

Orchidea,
Hi and how wonderful of you to stop by! I've missed you, but understand that you're busy ... no worries, it's always nice to get your comments, though. xx
Alda | Homepage | 09.04.08 - 11:19 pm | #

Interesting batch of questions--and interesting answers. I'm glad the Icelandic economic crisis doesn't seem to be affecting daily life much. Let's hope it stays that way!
Rozanne | Homepage | 10.04.08 - 6:03 am | #

Just wanted to comment on the question about Christmas from Runa; in my home up in north of Iceland all the decorations were put up on evening of the 23rd, the tree and everything. Only the outdoor things went up earlier.
But it was never stressed, just a family gathering decorating the tree together and staying up late putting the other things up.
So maybe your mom didn't do it for nothing. Some of us here to it like that
Álfheiður | Homepage | 10.04.08 - 1:19 pm | #

Norwegians do the same thing: Advent lights come up on 1st Sunday of advent or Dec. 1, whichever comes first. The Christmas tree isn't decorated until Dec. 23.
Keera | Homepage | 10.04.08 - 5:39 pm | #

Snow? Sorry (unless you are happy about it). We are into springtime here, due to hit 33c over the weekend. No snow.
joeinvegas | Homepage | 10.04.08 - 9:37 pm | #

Rozanne,
I sure hope so too!

Álfheiður,
I think a lot of people like doing it that way. Personally I much prefer having the tree for just a couple of weeks, while it is fresh and beautiful, than having it up for weeks on end.

Keera,
Interesting. I didn't know that.

joe,
33c in early April??? Crikey. I wouldn't want to be where you are in the middle of July. (I think we've been through this already - no?)
Alda | Homepage | 10.04.08 - 10:39 pm | #