Hey guys!
Today I wanted to share another quick piece of Iceland-related content with you all, in the form of some suggestions for prospective tourists which I originally posted on my Facebook account close to the end of my stay there in July.
Though the trends are starting to taper off a bit numerically, Iceland has experienced a giant surge in tourism over the past two or three years, which has had a tremendous amount of consequences and influences, both good and bad, on the Icelandic economy, society, and infrastructure.
These tips I'll be sharing with you guys today were largely inspired by The Little Book of the Tourists in Iceland, by one of my favorite Icelandic writers, Alda Sigmundsdottir, who writes excellent and witty books about Icelandic history, culture, and politics. I in no way claim to know, understand, or represent the opinions of all Icelanders; by sharing these tips I simply hope to impart some knowledge of issues that are at the forefront of local consciousness nowadays, and make your visit more pleasant, informed, and enjoyable should you choose to go. Iceland is a unique and beautiful place which absolutely deserves to be seen, but here are some solid tips from Alda's writing to be aware of beforehand.
1) Although tap water may smell a bit sulphuric due to its geothermal origin, there is literally 0 need to buy bottled water in Iceland. None. Tap water comes from glacial sources and geothermal pools, and is just as safe, if not better, than bottled water. Indeed, there have even been cases where tourists have been scammed by people selling bottles of water that have actually just been filled up at the tap. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at the tap as you go.
2) Don't throw coins into springs, waterfalls, natural pools, springs, and the like. They're not mall fountains. I hoped this wouldn't be the case, but unfortunately many of the tourist-filled natural sights sported many coins that had been dropped to the bottom of the clear water.
3) Be respectful of the environment. Iceland has beautiful and incredibly delicate ecosystems, so make sure to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints, and abide by signs indicating areas that are off limits to keep damage to a minimum. The country is very sparsely populated, so don't assume that just because there isn't a sign, a place is automatically safe.
4) Don't go out into isolated areas, onto clifftops or glaciers or the like without an experienced and certified guide. There have been many cases of tourists getting trapped inside glacial crevasses or other dangerous places, putting a strain on an already understaffed, underpayed, and overworked emergency response service.
5) Learn a little Icelandic. Yes, most Icelanders can speak very good English, especially those working in tourist areas. But a little takk fyrir (thank you) here and bless bless (bye bye) there will help you connect more with locals and show greater appreciation.
6) Contrary to what sensationalist media would have you believe, Icelanders are not, in fact, all kooky eccentrics that believe in elves and trolls. Sure, they constitute an integral part of the country's folklore and traditional culture. But most people do not believe in them today.
7) Icelandic swimming pools are lovely places, and a sort of community center for catching up and hanging out, the Turkish coffeehouse or Finnish sauna of the situation. Yes, you have to shower completely naked before you go in. It's the rules. Most pools in Iceland are not chlorinated, just fresh geothermal water, and people are trusted to wash themselves properly before going in to keep the water clean. It's really no big deal; people are used to doing so their whole lives, so it's a really low-key, non-judgemental environment that you have no need to feel self-conscious in.
8) BRING LAYERS. A common Icelandic saying states "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes," and as a place where the weather can be so erratic and changeable, smart layering can make all the difference between comfort and freezing.
9) When exploring undeveloped tracks of the countryside where restroom opportunities may be limited to the great outdoors, make like you would on a camping trip and dispose of any waste properly.
This is not meant to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list, just a set of important issues to keep in mind to make an Icelandic sojourn more pleasant. I hope that these can be of help to anyone. Anyone interested in further planning or advice on experiences in Iceland or where to go is always welcome to contact me.
Best wishes,
Nico
Today I wanted to share another quick piece of Iceland-related content with you all, in the form of some suggestions for prospective tourists which I originally posted on my Facebook account close to the end of my stay there in July.
Though the trends are starting to taper off a bit numerically, Iceland has experienced a giant surge in tourism over the past two or three years, which has had a tremendous amount of consequences and influences, both good and bad, on the Icelandic economy, society, and infrastructure.
These tips I'll be sharing with you guys today were largely inspired by The Little Book of the Tourists in Iceland, by one of my favorite Icelandic writers, Alda Sigmundsdottir, who writes excellent and witty books about Icelandic history, culture, and politics. I in no way claim to know, understand, or represent the opinions of all Icelanders; by sharing these tips I simply hope to impart some knowledge of issues that are at the forefront of local consciousness nowadays, and make your visit more pleasant, informed, and enjoyable should you choose to go. Iceland is a unique and beautiful place which absolutely deserves to be seen, but here are some solid tips from Alda's writing to be aware of beforehand.
1) Although tap water may smell a bit sulphuric due to its geothermal origin, there is literally 0 need to buy bottled water in Iceland. None. Tap water comes from glacial sources and geothermal pools, and is just as safe, if not better, than bottled water. Indeed, there have even been cases where tourists have been scammed by people selling bottles of water that have actually just been filled up at the tap. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at the tap as you go.
2) Don't throw coins into springs, waterfalls, natural pools, springs, and the like. They're not mall fountains. I hoped this wouldn't be the case, but unfortunately many of the tourist-filled natural sights sported many coins that had been dropped to the bottom of the clear water.
3) Be respectful of the environment. Iceland has beautiful and incredibly delicate ecosystems, so make sure to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints, and abide by signs indicating areas that are off limits to keep damage to a minimum. The country is very sparsely populated, so don't assume that just because there isn't a sign, a place is automatically safe.
4) Don't go out into isolated areas, onto clifftops or glaciers or the like without an experienced and certified guide. There have been many cases of tourists getting trapped inside glacial crevasses or other dangerous places, putting a strain on an already understaffed, underpayed, and overworked emergency response service.
5) Learn a little Icelandic. Yes, most Icelanders can speak very good English, especially those working in tourist areas. But a little takk fyrir (thank you) here and bless bless (bye bye) there will help you connect more with locals and show greater appreciation.
6) Contrary to what sensationalist media would have you believe, Icelanders are not, in fact, all kooky eccentrics that believe in elves and trolls. Sure, they constitute an integral part of the country's folklore and traditional culture. But most people do not believe in them today.
7) Icelandic swimming pools are lovely places, and a sort of community center for catching up and hanging out, the Turkish coffeehouse or Finnish sauna of the situation. Yes, you have to shower completely naked before you go in. It's the rules. Most pools in Iceland are not chlorinated, just fresh geothermal water, and people are trusted to wash themselves properly before going in to keep the water clean. It's really no big deal; people are used to doing so their whole lives, so it's a really low-key, non-judgemental environment that you have no need to feel self-conscious in.
8) BRING LAYERS. A common Icelandic saying states "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes," and as a place where the weather can be so erratic and changeable, smart layering can make all the difference between comfort and freezing.
9) When exploring undeveloped tracks of the countryside where restroom opportunities may be limited to the great outdoors, make like you would on a camping trip and dispose of any waste properly.
This is not meant to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list, just a set of important issues to keep in mind to make an Icelandic sojourn more pleasant. I hope that these can be of help to anyone. Anyone interested in further planning or advice on experiences in Iceland or where to go is always welcome to contact me.
Best wishes,
Nico
