10 Icelandic Quirks

While I am off exploring Iceland (aka studying my Icelandic in my favorite coffee house) I wanted to pop in and share this list of 10 Icelandic Quirks I wrote for Alex’s blog a few weeks ago. Enjoy!

10 Icelandic Quirks

  • Police officers don’t carry guns when they are on duty. When guns are needed a swat team is called in.
  • Unlimited Hot water, no more fighting over a hot shower, enjoy finding hot springs randomly on hikes or even walking in the city.
  • The beauty of the northern lights and midnight sun
  • Going to the downtown bars before 1 am makes you lame
  • Don’t be frightened when you see baby strollers with a sleeping baby sitting outside a cafe, the moms didn’t want to wake the sleeping child when they went inside for a coffee with friends.
  • Christmas is celebrated with not just Santa but 13 Yule Lads that bring children gifts every night for the 13 days before Christmas.
  • Babies aren’t named until they are at least 2 months old. What are you suppose to call the baby before then because “it” feels really inappropriate to me.

No more cold showers, kick ass girl power and so little crime that police officers don’t even have to carry guns, yes this is the magical land that I live in.

One thing I love about Iceland is that it is just as unique and full of its own quirks as my hometown is. I come from a town where the slogan is “keep Eugene weird” and with events like the Oregon Country Fair (see photo below) it is clear that I am meant to live in places with there own flavor of spice!

Oregon Country Fair
Who knows what I will learn this weekend!

Question of the Day?
Any unique facts or quirks you have learned about the area you live in??

January 18, 2014 by
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  • http://www.rhymeandribbons.com/ Amanda

    Unlimited hot water sounds AMAZING! Although I might not be cut out for Iceland. I like my going out nights to stop around 1 am,…not be being. I have too much inner-grammy for that! x

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I remember the first time I went out here and when they said what time we were going downtown I was like ummm thats bedtime! No wonder Sunday’s are like ghost town around here, the nightlife is crazy for such a small city!

  • Krista

    And don’t forget….the no sense of personal space!!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Seriously! Just tonight this woman clearly bummed into my legs in the store and when I turned around and moved she just pushed the cart right on by! WTF totally done on purpose just to get me out of her way, personal space and manners is non existent in the grocery stores here.

  • http://penguinsangel.blogspot.com/ Angie Agerter

    More like Keep Portland Weird, but really it truly should include the whole state of Oregon. lol But I love the little tidbits you found out thus far about Iceland!! It sounds so beautiful and great.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Ha Portland is on that to, but those keep Eugene shirts, stickers, banners, you name it they are all over the city! Nothing says Oregionan like a tie dye shirt :) Thanks so much, I am enjoying learning all about Iceland and of course the beautiful sights help :)

  • BlushandBarbells

    I saw some news story floating around Facebook about Iceland’s government being overthrown peacefully, but there’s nothing on the BBC about it. So now I can’t tell if it’s something the world media is ignoring or propaganda by anarchist types (which knowing my facebook friends would not surprise me heh heh).
    Do you know what’s up with that?

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Interesting… I haven’t heard anything around here and we haven’t had stuff floating around our FB as of yet so I am wondering if it is something floating around but I will be sure to look out for it!

  • http://voyageofthemeemee.blogspot.com/ Amanda MeeMee

    I can’t believe the police don’t carry guns and people leave their babies outside… that’s crazy!!! Must be a much safer place overall if that doesn’t make them nervous. As you know, that shit would NEVER happen in the states, lol

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I know isn’t it crazy! Crime is not a big concern here, kids walk around on there own at night like no biggie. To me the “everyone is a threat” american it is a new concept but it is amazing to have a sense of safety that sometimes lacks in certain parts of the states.

  • http://bybreenah.blogspot.com/ Breenah

    Holy moly do I want to move to Iceland now! The only thing I’ve got is we’re the air capital of the US and Pizza Hut was started here, haha :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Haha hey thats something! I think my homestate Oregon is just know for hippies and lots of trees lol.

  • http://www.chicadeedee.com/ Dannielle @ Chic-a-DeeDee

    hang on, they just leave their babies in the street?!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Right thats what I said the first few times I saw this. Who am I kidding this is what I still say!

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