Elves Fuck, and Dress Better Than You: What I Learned at Elf School in Reykjavik
“Every time I see a local ripping off a tourist for some ‘authentic’ experience, I think, ‘Who the hell is going to fall for that?’” Dylan, my ex-roommate, remarked a few months ago over breakfast. “And then I think, ‘Oh wait. There’s you.’”
40 Years Ago, Iceland's Women Decided They Had Had Enough
On October 24, 1975, the women of Iceland decided they would stop woman-ing in a massive protest for the same rights as men. On that day, known as Women’s Day Off, 90 percent of the country’s women refused to go to work or do chores or care for their children, to call for the same rights as men. The country came to a…
Icelanders Open Arms to Syrian Refugees, If Only Their Government Will Allow It
Over the weekend, Icelandic author Bryndis Bjorgvinsdottir published an open letter on Facebook appealing to Iceland’s welfare minister, Eygló Harðardóttir, to accommodate more Syrian refugees than the country’s cap of 50. Her original letter reads:
Briana Marela's 'Take Care of Me' Is a Cheerful Arctic Lullaby
Briana Marela is a newcomer to the atmospheric pop landscape, but she’s clearly nailed down the most important rule of the game: record your album in Iceland.
Fine Dining in the Land of Fire and Ice
I’ve never been an adventurous eater. For example, the most daring I’ve ever gotten with seafood is tuna from a can, and even then I drowned it in mayonnaise (like a true American). So when I decided to go on a solo trip to Iceland, I made a concerted effort to include the local cuisine in my diet, because what is…
That One Time I Barfed and Crapped All Over Iceland
Below me, on the ground, lies a slush of partially digested rehydrated noodles. They look like little wriggly white maggots, moving in the dirt. Either my vision is still blurry from the pain of vomiting, or the fever has finally gotten the best of me, because I swear to god, those suckers are squirming.
These Adorable Icelandic Cops Have the Best Instagram Account Ever
Iceland seems like a really lovely place (utter economic collapse aside), and the official Instagram account of the Reykjavík metropolitan police is doing nothing to dispel this impression. They cuddle with animals! They stop by Domino's! I guess maybe they occasionally solve crimes!
It's Illegal to Name Your Daughter 'Harriet' in Iceland
Icelandic officials are refusing to renew one 10-year-old's passport because her name does not comply with the country's strict naming laws. Previously listed on legal documents only as Stúlka Cardew (translation: GIRL Cardew), the little girl and her parents will have to go to court and fight to retain the child's…
Iceland Is the Still Best Place to Live if You're a Woman
If you're the type of person who makes choices according to the New York Times Travel section, you already knew Iceland was too hot to handle. The country's got some other notable qualities besides being a hip place to visit right now: it's held its position as the most egalitarian place for women to live for the…
Icelanders Try to Restrict ‘Unfettered Misogyny’ of Internet Porn
There’s a campaign afoot in Iceland to seriously restrict underage access to hardcore porn, and it’s drawing the typical outcries of free expression curtailment. Those arguments — that Iceland would turn into some kind of North Korea Lite, or literally explode from all the thwarted orgasms a porn ban would surely…
Not Having Sex With Your Cousin By Accident: There's An App For That
There are a few very specific problems that one deals with as a citizen of Iceland, most of them not even Bjork-related. In fact, the immediate threat is the phantom possibility of accidentally sleeping with one of your cousins.
15-Year-Old Icelandic Teenager Is Suing the Country For the Right to Be Called By Her Name
Here in the U.S., we give our kids ridiculous names like "Hashtag," because this is AMERICA. But some countries, such as Iceland, have very stringent and arbitrary rules regarding monikers.
Is Katie Holmes Being Stalked by Scientologists?
If you thought Scientology had a disturbing influence on Katie Holmes's marriage to Tom Cruise, just wait until you see what it's going to do to her divorce. TMZ is reporting that Katie is being followed by a team of Scientologists. Why? Who knows! Maybe they just want to make sure she's safe and happy? Or maybe…
A Handy Tool to Keep You From Sleeping With Your Cousin
While the idea of accidentally hooking up with one's cousin is quite disturbing, it's a real possibility when you live in a place like Iceland that only has 300,000 people to choose from. That's why there's a new website called Íslendingabók, aka the Book of Icelanders. It sounds like a cooler version of Facebook, but…
Coincidentally, The Best Countries For Women Are A Bit Chilly
A new ranking by Newsweek/Daily Beast reveals which countries are the best and worst places for women to live. Using data from 165 countries, they based their rankings on five categories: "treatment under the law, workforce participation, political power, and access to education and health care." And without further…
____ Vs. The Volcano
[Iceland, April 16. Image via AP]
Brangelina Tries Jewelry Design; Lindsay Lohan For Bebe?
- Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have designed a fine jewelry collection for Asprey, which goes on sale this week. The line, themed around snakes and called "The Protector," starts at $525; all proceeds go to support Jolie's children's charity. [WWD]
