tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129085.post4975277406101174353..comments2023-10-26T12:19:49.542+00:00Comments on Iceland Eyes: an Original Icelandic Photojournal Since 2004: HangedUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129085.post-70162946650817304202008-11-13T13:16:00.000+00:002008-11-13T13:16:00.000+00:00"We are survivors, adventurers, raiders. We are lu..."We are survivors, adventurers, raiders. We are lusty, passionate, creative. We are molded by this landscape and are both strengthened and humbled by it."<BR/><BR/>This is the right spirit, necessary for an economic renaissance. Concentrating on the strengths, and making best ude of them. Inspiring!<BR/><BR/>However, I have to say that I do miss the humbleness when discussing with some Icelandic folks. But I guess these are urban people who haven't been out in the landscape often enough!<BR/>:DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129085.post-35599686418582912232008-10-31T09:23:00.000+00:002008-10-31T09:23:00.000+00:00Icelandsays is a wonderful link! have not read eve...Icelandsays is a wonderful link! have not read every post yet but I can already see some reflection of myself in the posts...<BR/><BR/>Are there really any person who is 100% happy and content about their country? hmmm "we cannot grow anything here but potatoes and sheep" made me laugh, simply because I now realize that infact, the richer the countries natural/mineral wealth...the poorer it's citizens are.<BR/><BR/>Yesterday was the 3rd time in two months that I awoke to loud noises (think firecrackers) and people screaming and after the usual phone 3 times before the police pick up the phone, we eventually managed to get the police to respond (30 minutes later) to yet another night of 7 - 10 teenage youths climbing up poles and cutting the electrical wires.<BR/><BR/>Now regardless of whom they sell this copper cables to or even why people would risk their lives for so little...does this / has this ever happened in Iceland? This is a daily occurance around the country even before the "world economic crisis" hit. <BR/><BR/>I no longer read any newspapers or even watch T.V - the skyrocketing crime here means another restless night and worry filled day if I even so much as look at the negative headlines!<BR/><BR/>Our political scene is in a mess (power struggles, greed, etc.)<BR/><BR/>Last week the South African rand almost hit 12 to the U.S dollar again and all I could think of is how, since we really import 98% (minus agricultural and minerals) that, prices will go up, but never come down even if economic circumstances change. (what will we do around here if China suddenly vanished one day?!)<BR/><BR/>Ragga said "The only wild animals we have are foxes and about 4 reindeers." Well..we have the "big five" somewhere in faraway game parks which only tourists visit because we have to do what other countries do, switch on the t.v and watch the animals cause here, we don't dare leave our houses.<BR/><BR/>So many people around the world are intrigued by Iceland and who knows maybe it's because;<BR/><BR/>No civil wars<BR/>Nice friendly people(nicelanders?)<BR/>1000+years of relative stability<BR/>Faith (were art thou here?) <BR/>Can do attitude!<BR/>Loyalty<BR/>etc.<BR/><BR/>If ever I see an American wanting to visit or emmigrate to Iceland I always wonder what Icelanders think, America was once the place people wanted to go to not leave...?!<BR/><BR/>Lastly: I know why I like Iceland and it is definately not because of money or the lack thereof, something else draws me to it.<BR/><BR/>Be happy and poor rather than rich and miserable :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129085.post-79506230800145443872008-10-25T15:21:00.000+00:002008-10-25T15:21:00.000+00:00I was really shocked when the situation in Iceland...I was really shocked when the situation in Iceland hit our news -- when I was there last year, it seemed so stable, so let's-get-things done. My sense of the people, in the short time I wa s there were that the majority of them with whom I came into contact were literate, thoughtful, intelligent, and active. They could look at a difficult situation and come up with solutions, not have a nervous breakdown and expect everyone else to solve the problems for them. I think that's really the attitude, and I think the nay-sayers will find they're wrong.<BR/><BR/>I think you'll come out of this global mess a heck of a lot better than many other areas, although it may be a rocky road right now.<BR/><BR/>Again, I really only know what we're getting on the news, and I don't entirely trust the reporting.<BR/><BR/>As far as the greenhouses, that's one of the things I admire most -- the use of geothermal energy to grow just about anything you want. One of the facts we were told -- which may be wrong for all I know -- was that you're one of the biggest exporters of bananas outside of Latin America.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129085.post-62662289448282995032008-10-24T19:01:00.000+00:002008-10-24T19:01:00.000+00:00The sagas of the Icelanders tell how strong your p...The sagas of the Icelanders tell how strong your people is. Finance is only what peole do with their money. It's pure psicology, and that is the miror of a nations culture. Sadly it's only about greed a fear. But psicology is tricky, simply beacause the masses are dumber than the indiduals. Only leaders can change the attitude of a nation. I think now is the time a "new iceland deal". Good Luck!Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05135094703905421689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129085.post-73477806482581243012008-10-24T17:51:00.000+00:002008-10-24T17:51:00.000+00:00Excellent insight, analogy, and outlook here Maria...Excellent insight, analogy, and outlook here Maria. Thanks for supplying some 'intel' from behind the lines, so to speak.<BR/><BR/>I'm particularly thankful for the reference to the "classic national habit" of using superlatives and exaggeration. An interesting tidbit on the collective personality of the people of Iceland.<BR/><BR/>Great job, as always... Looking forward to reading the posts from the students.<BR/><BR/><I>Takk</I>, -edViszlát Sjáumsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129085.post-73774627795165081412008-10-23T21:58:00.000+00:002008-10-23T21:58:00.000+00:00You Icelanders are admirable, and I can see from y...You Icelanders are admirable, and I can see from your example that they are very strong-willed. Don't worry...the tempests may come, but I know from what little experience I have that we can get through it. Thanks for having such great faith in your country...it's inspiring. If only we could have more of that faith here in the U.S.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03960519151863517265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129085.post-91375115532313040022008-10-23T15:01:00.000+00:002008-10-23T15:01:00.000+00:00I know everything will be just fine. You've still ...I know everything will be just fine. You've still got the basics and the indomitable viking spirit to carry you through. And thanks for the Iceland Says site. That looks quite interesting!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129085.post-72025349690011794232008-10-23T14:10:00.000+00:002008-10-23T14:10:00.000+00:00Well said, Maria! While times aren't rosy in Icel...Well said, Maria! While times aren't rosy in Iceland (or here in the US), the NPR story did sound overly dramatic. It's nice to hear some optimism/hope.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06644154531798665514noreply@blogger.com