July 2, 2014

What Do You Know About Iceland?

When I tell people I live in Iceland I almost always get a reaction of “Wow, Iceland, how awesome is that”! Iceland seems to be this mystical land to many, which I more than understand since I myself didn’t know much about Iceland up until 4 years ago when I met H.

Sometimes though people ask me things about Iceland that just make me shake my head and think “REALLY”! To give you an idea of what I am talking about here are a few of my favorite comments I have heard when I tell someone I live in Iceland.

———–

…Iceland, wow! That is the country that is actually green and then Greenland is covered in ice right?

via
This is the most common thing I hear about Iceland. Definitely not a bad comment as that was all I knew about Iceland as well before I met H (thank you middle school world geography for teaching me such a helpful fact) but it is a bit of a shame that this is the most common fact people know about Iceland. Guess everyone will just need to read my blog to learn more about Iceland;)

…You live in Iceland? So is your house an igloo or something?

via
Nope, I live in a house that shockingly isn’t made of ice. Please refer to most common fact, Iceland is actually not completely covered in ice and our houses are not igloos.

…Iceland, awesome! So you know a lot of Vikings then? Is living in Iceland like that show the Vikings? They are so brutal!

via
Ummm yes I know a lot of Icelanders, many of whom are descendants of Vikings. Just to clear things up though, this is the 21st century and the Vikings don’t go walking around murdering each other.

…Iceland, brr, that is basically the arctic. Do you ever even see the sun up there?

via
I get it, the work ice makes up part of the countries name, but surprisingly enough Iceland very rarely gets below freezing temperatures thanks to the gulf stream. And while it has been quite stormy here lately when the sun does shine it feels much warmer than what the temperature says so be sure to put on sunscreen!

…Oh how awesome, Iceland wow, so you must know Björk then?
via
I actually have been shopping in the same store with Björk right next to me, sat behind her at Russell Brands comedy show, and I know the guy who is BFF with her ex-husband, so yeah we are basically bff. But really I get asked this a lot but not near as often as Icelanders do. I have heard many people here complain about always being asked this question, lucky for me I didn’t ask this question when I first moved here even though I was curious as well!

And my all time favorite question I have been asked about Iceland…

…You live in Iceland? Do they have a Walmart there?

via
True story, I was asked this by someone. I mean really, the first thing you want to know about Iceland is if they have Walmart! The answer is no for anyone else wondering.

Question of the Day?
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Iceland?

posted by Kiki 75 Comments
Filed Under: Blogging, Iceland, Link-Up, My Thoughts, Travel Tagged: confessions, Iceland, Iceland facts

http://www.adoretoadorn.com/ nancy @ adore to adorn

haha. this post was so fun to read. I am pretty amazed at some of the things you get asked. Now, I don’t know what I would have said if I met you and found out you lived in Iceland. But, if I ever meet someone in the future who comes from Iceland or lives there, I will be sure to keep in mind not to ask silly questions =D haah

xo,
nancy

http://www.adoretoadorn.com
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thanks Nancy! Ha don’t worry you can ask me silly questions and I won’t judge, I have heard some crazy ones!
http://therococoroamer.com/ Brittany Ruth

This is funny because I was actually thinking about going to Bjork’s biophilia film premiere in Czech this weekend. I actually love Bjork and would be annoyingly curious if you met her haha
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  A lot of people that aren’t from Iceland really like her. I honestly still haven’t listened to one of her songs but next time I see her out I will be sure to snap a photo to share!
  - http://therococoroamer.com/ Brittany Ruth
    
    lol wait, so you weren’t joking about all those times you saw her, I thought you were.
    - http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
      
      Haha no those really happened. People just assume since I have seen her around town I must know her and talk to her all the time.
http://kaseyatthebat.blogspot.com/ Kasey Decker

I have to confess, I learned that Greenland is covered in ice and Iceland is very nice from the Mighty Ducks… and before I discovered your blog, I think that might have been all I knew!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I think many of us have the Mighty Ducks to thank for our Icelandic geography lesson because that is the same for me!
Monta Ramiņa

I sometimes gets those weird questions too when i say that I`m from Latvia. But first thing that comes to my mind is Sigur Ros. Love that band.
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  It is always interesting to hear what other people think of different countries. I really love a lot of the Icelandic bands, they are so good!
http://djseaward.tumblr.com/ Cynthia

Hmmm… I think of the snowy Esjan mountains, the great coffee, friendly people, artists & creative types, colorful metal buildings… but there’s something about it that’s so mystical to me. It seems like the most magical piece of land in the world… even after I’ve been there it seems shrouded in mystery.
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  You describe it so well, someone who has been to Iceland clearly. Those are some of my favorite things as well
http://www.rhymeandribbons.com/ Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons

I learned “Iceland is green, and Greenland is ice” when I was really young and I don’t even remember where I learned it! X
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Ha that is the same for me and so many of us I think. I have no idea where I learned that fact but it was all I knew about Iceland before I moved here!
http://anothercleanslate.com/ Kate @ Another Clean Slate

I knew the same Greenland/Iceland fact I have learned a lot from your blog though!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  It really is the only thing I knew about Iceland before I met H. Glad I am able to share some Icelandic knowledge with others!
http://www.foodboozeandbaggage.com/ Food Booze & Baggage

I can’t believe someone asked you if there was a Wal-mart there! I would have assumed that it is cold.
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Haha I know right, I was so shocked by that question!
Kristen Warren

haha hilarious! i must admit i didnt know anything about iceland, and i learned that well known fact from a movie called danny deckchair. you want to know the most ridiculous thing i have ever been asked about australia? ‘do you have streets and electricity there?’ (word for word, i quite, i promise). I was like.. do you think if we didn’t have electricity.. i would be able to come to america? you think i swam here? face palm people. and we dont have walmarts there haha.
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Haha wow that is a face palm for sure of course you have streets and electricity! When I was flying home from Australia I sat next to a mother and daughter traveling to America for the first time and they were so excited to visit a Walmart they wanted me to give them a bunch of details about it!
  - Kristen Warren
    
    yeah my mum was the exact same - as soon as she arrived ‘lets go to walmart!” and i was like.. lets not.
http://letuswanderlust.blogspot.com/ Carly @ Let Us Wanderlust

Haha too funny! I actually watched a documentary the other night on Iceland and it was fascinating! I didn’t know much about it before that. But I loved learning more about the history involving the Vikings and was really surprised to learn Iceland only has a pretty small population! It’s soooo beautiful I assumed more people lived there!!
- http://letuswanderlust.blogspot.com/ Carly @ Let Us Wanderlust
  
  P.s. I’ve been asked, seriously and to my face, if we ride kangaroos to school in Australia. I was like “yep, we sure do”. Too silly to reply with a real answer haha.
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Iceland really is so beautiful! It is crazy how small the population is. I live in the middle of Reykjavik where the majority of the population is so I forget how small the population is until I go out of the city and only come across small little villages! And when I was living in Australia people asked me the craziest questions about kangaroos as well!
http://englishgirlcanadianman.blogspot.ca/ Holly Nelson

When I went, people warned me that all people in Iceland eat is whale. It is true it is harder to be a veggie in Iceland, but it was possible and whale was never offered!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I often get that people where told they would only be able to eat rotten shark here! It definitely is harder to be a vegetarian here but we have some amazing restaurants around the city now. Thank goodness for the greenhouses so we can have vegetables the whole year!
http://withlove-rachel.com Rachel Murphree

HAHA, “Do they have Walmart there?” What the? My question(s) would totally be about food. I didn’t know anything about whale (like the other commenter mentioned) but I know nothing about typical Icelandic food.
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  At least your question is much more reasonable! I know I need to get on it and do a typical Icelandic food post. Lots of fish and lamb are their diet staples!
http://ournashvillelife.com/ Jackie @ Our Nashville Life

haha the “icelane is actually green and greenland is full of ice” is actually from The Mighty Ducks D2 movie! I’m so jealous you found somewhere to live that doesn’t have a Walmart.
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Yes that is pretty much what I hear from everyone, that they learned that from the Might Ducks!
http://voyageofthemeemee.com/ Amanda MeeMee

Screw Walmart… I’d be asking about Target! haha
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Seriously, priorities people!
http://www.cubiclethrowdown.com/ Rika - Cubicle Throwdown

I loooooooooove to eat, so my first question would be about FOOD! Also, if it makes you feel any better, I’m Canadian and get the ‘do you live in igloos’ question all the time too
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I would think more people would ask about the food as well!
http://treasuretromp.com/ Nicole @ Treasure Tromp

wait … so you’re telling me that you don’t live in a house made of ice? shocking
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I know right, who would have guessed that!
http://sophieinclogs.com Sophie

hahah we Canadians get the igloo thing too!! I used to think it was a joke but …
Last year I went to the Frankfurt Book Fair and there was an international pavilion, and I remember there was an Icelandic children’s publisher … and the drawings looked so scary! Now aside from the natural beauty I can’t help but wonder what kind of strange stories kids hear when they go to sleep
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  After learning about the Icelandic Christmas Lads and their stories I was thinking the same thing!
http://www.chicadeedee.com/ Dannielle @ Chicadeedee

That first one is totally the only thing I know as well, all hail the Mighty Ducks.
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Thank goodness for the Mighty Ducks so we could all know something about Iceland!
http://prettythingandco.com/ Madaline

Is it bad that I know about iceland!? That is interesting about the temperature though - I kind of wonder how the name came about?
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Not at all, I was the same and knew nothing!
http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/ Sara Rose

Hahaha, people always ask weird questions like: Does England have Walmart? No…. No it doesn’t…
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Seriously what is with the Walmart question!
http://thepumpkinshead.wordpress.com/ Betty J. Ogburn

…Interesting-I just think of epic landscapes and Game of Thrones!!…
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Yes, I like those thoughts!
http://www.hellorigby.com/ Jenn

I won’t lie, many of theses questions would probably cross my mind but I doubt I would ask them. Definitely not the Walmart one though, that’s just bizarre!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Most of the questions I get I don’t mind but the Walmart was definitely crazy!
http://speaking-denglish.com/ Alex, Denglish Speaker

Your Björk encounters are definitely bordering celeb status!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I think so too but here in Iceland it is no big deal!
http://coraltintedperceptions.blogspot.com Natalie Joseph

I’m not going to lie, the first one was my thought but that’s because I love the movie Mighty Ducks. I’m from South Africa so I get all types of weird questions… haha
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I could imagine. Any questions that stand out?
  - http://coraltintedperceptions.blogspot.com Natalie Joseph
    
    Do you have lions and elephants in your backyard? That one never gets old… lol
    - http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
      
      Haha ya I can imagine!
http://hemborgwife.wordpress.com/ Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife

One time when we were in California someone asked Fredrik if Sweden had IKEA!!! He very calmly responded yes they do as it is a Swedish company while I very immaturely rolled my eyes!!
The other question people always ask is if we have polar bears and Fredrik always likes to respond that yes they just stroll along the street while I shake my head and once again roll my eyes
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Haha oh wow some people shock me with their questions! H just rolls his eyes as well and is like yup, we live in igloos ha.
http://thethingsiamcrazyfor.wordpress.com/ Camila

Oh man I’ve had the igloo thing so many times since I’m from Canada! My way of dealing with it is to make people believe the craziest things - which is unsurprisingly very easy! ‘why yes i went to school on dog sleigh’
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Haha I like your way of dealing with things!
BlushandBarbells

When I think of Iceland, I think of Jules Verne and Journey to the Center of the Earth!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I just head the Journey to the Center of the Earth one a few days ago!
Lisa @ Ameliorer la Vie

Well, now that I know there is no Wal-Mart in Iceland, what is the point of even going??
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I know right, no fun over here
http://www.tothedayslikethis.com/ Sammy @ Days Like This

The first thing I think now when I hear Iceland is Unlocking Kiki! Haha. I have learnt so much about Iceland from your blog!
- http://www.tothedayslikethis.com/ Sammy @ Days Like This
  
  Oh and also whales!!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  Yes! That is the right answer Joke, but so happy you have learned some things about Iceland from me!
http://www.lifesajournee.com/ Elicia Shepard

I heard from a friend that they named It Iceland to keep people away to hide the beauty by using the word “ice” they hoped people would instead go to Greenland where it’s much colder!! I have no idea if this is true or where it came from. I love this idea. I have a whole bunch from what people asked about Korea. I would love to do a post like this for Korea & give you credit for the idea of course!!! I have a whole list saved on my iPhone notes.
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  That is actually true! I have heard that from people here as well, which was quite a smart way to do things. I would love to see a post about questions people ask about Korea!! I probably would have some of the questions that are already on your list.
http://wearethedreamersofdreams.com/ Holly

We are stopping through Iceland on our way to the states for a visit at the end of July - I am so excited to explore and discover what it has to offer. Hard part is figuring out what to see in our short (3 days) time we are there.

We just got back from Croatia (Plitvice, Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik with a Mostar, Bosnia detour). We absolutely LOVED it - it is the most amazing place. We’ve decided it’ll be our new go-to spot for sun-seeking when the Brussels weather gets us down. I’m hoping to recap the trip this week if you want to see what you have in store.

http://wearethedreamersofdreams.com/
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  How exciting. Will you be staying in Reykjavik while you are here. It is true, there are so many wonderful things to see that require a bit of time for traveling around. Three days is a good amount of time to see a lot though!
  
  How great to hear. I will definitely be checking out those posts. We are doing Split, Hvar, Dubronvik and Korcula. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Just wondering how did you find the cost of food and drinks? Was it expensive there or decent prices?
  - http://wearethedreamersofdreams.com/ Holly
    
    I think we’ll plan to stay in Reykjavik, use that as our home base and then travel out from there. (definitely planning a little R&R at the Blue Lagoon).
    
    As for Croatia, Split was definitely the best price-wise and Dubrovnik was the most expensive. Big italiian influence, so you’ll see a lot of pizza, risottos, and gnocchis, My friend used pizza as her gauge - 30 kuna in Split, 50-60 in Hvar, and 70-80 in Dubrovnik (and beers in the 35-40 kuna range..). A few places we liked: Buffet Fife (Split), Alviz (Hvar), and Yummmi (Dubrovnik). And I hope you like gelato because it is everywhere! Dubrovnik had the most generous scoops by far.
    - http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
      
      Thanks so much Holly! Let me know if you have any questions about Reykavik. What dates will you guys be here. And yes, I think a trip to the Blue Lagoon is needed. Also check out the local pools if you get a chance, the pool in Vesturbær is one of my favorites and right in the downtown area.
      - http://wearethedreamersofdreams.com/ Holly
        
        We’ll be there the 26th - 28th of July - I’m guessing you guys will already be on your way to Croatia, yeah? I’ll put the Vesturbær pool on my list. I’m sure I’ll be looking back through your Iceland posts again next week - I will definitely let you know if I have any questions!
  - http://wearethedreamersofdreams.com/ Holly
    
    Oh, and if you see ćevapčići, I definitely recommend getting it!
http://www.adventuresofalondonkiwi.blogspot.com/ adventuresofalondonkiwi

I get “New Zealand” that’s in Australia, right?” Far, far too often!
- http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence
  
  I am still bummed I didn’t get to visit New Zealand when I was interning in Sydney. One of these days I will make it there!

What Do You Know About Iceland?

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