Icelandic summer

There is no place like Iceland in the summer. The air is crisp and clear, the grass is vivid and green and everything looks brighter and full of life. The Icelandic winter has its own charm but when the sunny days of summer are here, everything suddenly stops. Even the sun stays hanged in the sky with no force to convince it to go down under the horizon. During the Icelandic summers, I like staying awake until late, watching the midnight sun out of the window and seeing the thousands of birds nesting on the ground fearless. Herds of sheep and beautiful Icelandic horses are everywhere and the sea shine among the fjords in a deep blue colors. Unfortunately, there are no pictures which can transfer the experience of Iceland. There are no words which can fully describe it. Iceland needs to be experienced.

Europe's best kept secret

Next week I'm planning my trip to south Iceland. A land of glaciers, volcanoes and the famous Geysir. This is an introduction video to south Iceland. Europe's best kept secret.

Give me hope Johanna Sigurðardóttir

If you can't recognize it, it's the Icelandic version of Eddy Grant's "Gimme hope Joanna" which was preformed today in front the Alþingi (The Icelandic parliament). This serenade was meant to Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, the world's first openly gay head of government and the new prime minister of Iceland. But unlike Eddy Grant's song, this is not a love a song. During last week Icelanders are protesting (again) against the government's plan to pay landsbanki 5 billion euros of debt. The Icelandic economy is in trouble again, and as part of her efforts to push Iceland to the open arms of the European Union, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir is pledging to pay all the recently nationalized Icelandic banks unpaid commitments. Many Icelanders don't like the idea that for the next 15 years, their tax money will be used to pay someone else debts. But even though they don't want to admit it, it is their debt as well.

For the last 20 years Icelanders were greedy and occasionally stupid, running their country. The economy bubble burst in their faces and the taste of the splash make them want to throw up. Now, there is a witch hunt for the people responsible for the crisis, but instead of looking for who to blame, I think it is time for a new start. There is hope and it lies in the hands Johanna Sigurðardóttir and her effort to place Iceland as a nation among nations as a member in the European Union. But before a new start can beging there is a need the clean the mess left behind. It stinks, but someone needs to do it. Let Johanna do her job and please, instead of singing annoying songs, how about just sending a love letters?

Seamen's day

Every year during the month of June Icelanders celebrate Sjómanndagsins or Seamen's day. It's an old Icelandic tradition that become a national day of celebration all across Iceland from the bigger towns to the smaller fishing communities. At that day Icelanders pay tribute to many of their people who make a living from the sea. for centuries they are the anchore which the Icelandic economy is depending upon especially in these days of major economic meltdown.

During the festival events like fishing, swimming, sailing and rowing competitions are taking place in a mix of locals and visitors. While other events are taking place of the land. The video below is an example of a cultural display took place in Reykjavik harbor during the festival. More events like parades, arts and crafts activities, food fairs and live musical performances were enjoyed all across Iceland. Events take place throughout the country .

The churches of Reykjavík

When it comes to architecture, Iceland isn't known for its outstanding human achievements. In fact, until the beginning of the 20Th century most of the Icelandic houses were turf houses. Today, tourists visiting Reykjavik will discover nothing more than small colorful houses like the ones seen below.

From the tower of Hallgrímskirkja

The Icelandic churches are unique. They lack the pompous look of many churches of classic Europe. They are relatively small, modern and somewhat humble. It is noticeable that they were build in order not intrude the nature around them. The only exception is Hallgrímskirkja, the main cathedral of Reykjavik and the second tallest building in Iceland. It points at the skies like a huge finger, in an attempt that looks like the Icelandic version of the tower of Babylon.

I collected some of the churches of the greater Reykjavik area in one slide show.
For detailed view visit my Flickr album.

Signs of recession

It is interesting and a bit sad to see how Icelanders are trying to adapt to the new reality forced on them with the collapse of the economy. One of the signs of recession in Iceland is the resurrection of the conserved food. In newspapers, luxury cars ads have been replaced by basic food products like this canned meatballs showing below. For many Icelanders it is hard to adapt to this new reality and it's been reported that approximately one family a day leave the island in search for a better future somewhere else.

"New product.

What's for dinner?

Delicious meatballs with brown sauce from Ora.

...Simple, fast and good!"

A food to die for

Icelanders are in love with their butter. It doesn't matter what you eat, butter will always be there. Butter for Icelanders is what hummus is for Israelis, a national food and a source of pride. Both hummus and butter play a major roll in the nations palate. It's a key ingredient in every meal and a sort of a default food.

Israelis are passionate about their hummus, they crowned it as their national food and kick out the falafel from its thrown. Good news for Egypt which crowned the falafel as their own national food.

The story of hummus is like many things in the middle east, a political story. The fragile relations between Israel and its neighbor countries was put to test again after Lebanon started international dispute blaming Israel for "stealing" their national food, the hummus. From the Israeli point of view, when it comes to hummus, Israelis are not looking for trouble, just a good dip. Some Israeli hummus manufactures are proudly selling hummus labeled as: Jordanian, Lebanese and even Syrian. Talking about Syria, I can't not to mention the infamous case of the two poor Syrians who were executed for trying to sell traditional hummus recipe to Israeli businessman. An incident that led the Israeli foreign minister to say: "Syria peace must involve more than just eating hummus in Damascus". What was meant to be a secret collaboration in order to promote peace, failed after the Syrian authorities blamed its citizens for giving national secrets to the Zionist regime.

Something to die for?

Even though the story had a bad end, it is known that food has the ability to bring people together. That is why, in any attempt to achieve peace with its neighbors, I believe Israel should insist on some preemptive measurments dealing with hummus collaboration and recipe exchange prior to any peace agreement. It will be a good test (and a good taste) for Arabs and Jews to see if they really can get along. I mean, if you can't even share a hummus together, how can you think about sharing peace?

As for Icelanders, I admire their courage for trying to create their own local brand of viking hummus. Last time when I checked the Icelandic hummus for its ingredients I discovered that it contained milk. Impossible combination from an Israeli point of view. In Israel we say "one can't dance in two weddings at the same time", but for a nation who can't dance at all it's not really a problem.
Watch the best hummus video yet...


Check out the hummus blog for recipes, reviews and more.

Read more about Icelandic food.