Troll

I just want to remind everyone that this friendly troll can be yours for the low low price of 99,990.00 Icelandic kronur! (That's a mere 1582 US Dollars, 848 Pound Sterling or 163,715 Japanese Yen.)

(Be the first on your block to own your very own Icelandic viking troll! Sure to thrill the kids and intrigue the neighbors! Add a touch of real Nordic culture to your home!)

Honestly, the Rammagerðin store on Laugavegur at Skólavörðurstígur (near the Elves Hall) has put this cheery guy outside their store with a price tag in the above-mentioned amount, presumably with shipping and handling included...

Norwich

I've been off the lava rock for most of the past week, and a good thing that was, too. Last winter I made a promise to myself get off the island at least once each post-Jule season to remind myself that there is a whole planet out there somewhere, and to stay sane in the midst of January darkness. I didn't travel then, and sorely missed the shot of Vitamin World we all could use to make life a richer experience.

This year I was lucky enough to have an excellent adventure drop in my lap. I was graciously invited to a Nordic Translators Symposium at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England by FILI, the Finnish Literature Information Center in concert with the British Centre for Literary Translation. The fifteen or so guests from the UK and Scandinavia were very well taken care of, and we were offered an enlightening series of lectures and discussions on the state of literary translation in the UK today.

Summation? It seems everyone could read a book or two more on life in another land, and should, and that there are some very wild and talented translators out there working faithfully to bring the literary universe to the English-speaking public (you know who you all are...wink wink!)

Would anyone out there like to read good Icelandic books in English? Let me know your thoughts...

William's Castle

Bill the Conqueror commissioned the Norwich Castle in 1067. Impressive! This keep is one of only three square castles in the UK.

Ancient Humor

The inscription on this wall effigy in the Norwich Cathedral reads:

All you that do this place pass bye
Remember death for you must dye
As you are now even so was I
And as I am now so shall you be.
Thomas Gooding here do staye
Wayting for God's judgement daye.

Victoriana

Simply a very pretty walk in city centre Norwich, the Royal Arcade.

The Adam and Eve

After a great and unexpected meal at Trevor and Lene Davies' very charming 500-year old home, we translators trundled over to the Adam and Eve, a Norwich pub that's been spouting brew continuously since 1249 a.d. Now that's what I'd call success in business!

I highly recommend this local. We were well served and very gently and politely removed after being tolerated well after last call. Try the Old Peculiar on tap...good stuff.