North around Melrakkasletta, and it’s stunning. When we asked about this road, here’s what we learned (as retold by Eric): You don’t want to take that road, there’s nothing to see there. We went anyway. Ta da! Photo by Eric Guth.
Our Journey
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Then two brothers came riding out of the fog. They offered us whiskey and took chewing tobacco in exchange. These men have been coming to this land their whole lives. They are carpenters who herd sheep and hunt fox for a bounty. “We’re what you would call hillbillies.” They’ve been working with 20 other men…
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Arctic Iceland, Akureyri, Iceland
(Post 1 of 3) Most Icelanders identify more with Europe than they do with the Arctic, and you don’t have to look far to see that connection. This photograph is from the main street of Akureyri where many windows are full of Nordic clothing and all things Viking. You have to search a little deeper…
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(Post 2 of 3) Embla Oddsdóttir brings people together on Arctic issues that touch this country, though deciding which issues are “Arctic” is not always easy. Embla is the director of the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network. She and I talked about identity and how an Arctic connection is now being forged for the people of…
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(Post 3 of 3) It’s time for us to head to the part of Iceland which is “the most Arctic,” according to Embla. It’s off the ring road and along gravel roads. The plants we recognize from other parts of the north (crowberry!) are everywhere. Sheep, fish and an Arctic vision lie ahead in the…
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Housewarming, Akureyri, Iceland
(Post 1 of 3) At first, Margrét Heinreksdöttir didn’t want to talk to us because she was convinced we could find somebody more interesting. That’s usually a sign that you are on to something good. We arrived at her house for coffee. We helped lay the table, but she made sure to set it up…
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(Post 2 of 3) “I have been happy in so many ways. I have traveled and seen the world and felt part of the world.” Margrét began her career with a newspaper, but she didn’t want to become an old journalist (“a piece of furniture” as she puts it), so she moved on. She got…
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(Post 3 of 3) “Here, I am half way to heaven. I’m not sure I’m going to get any closer.” Margrét Heinreksdöttir, 79. Retired journalist, lawyer, judge, humanitarian. Photo by Eric Guth.
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Dalvik, Iceland
(Post 1 of 2) We’ve been traveling across Iceland from one introduction to the next, and one of the threads ends here. We’ve been introduced, from one person to the next, all the way from #reykjavik to #akureyri. This path started at a sheep round up and led past the waterfalls and on to a…
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(Post 2 of 2) Thank you to Alfreð and Hildigunnur and each person with the generosity and trust to welcome us in. So far, we’ve heard many personal stories — like how these two met as teenagers on on the island where Hildigunnur’s family collects eider down. Now it’s time to zoom out. Up next:…
