This pretty stream flows down to the main street, Strandgata, in Eskifjörður, in East Iceland. As you can see at the linked site, this little fishing town in very long and skinny, skirting as it does the base of a fine mountain that looms over the fjord below.
As I've written of before, my grandmother grew up in Reyðafjörður just to the south of this town, in the house shown in this post from last summer's trip around the island. During the first part of June Reyðafjörður is going to be turned into a carnival, sponsored by Alcoa to celebrate the grand opening of their new aluminum plant. Should be sight to see. My mother is taking my grandmother, Ásta Beck, to visit the little house her father built, and that she was born in 93 years ago, right around the same time, but I don't think they'll be in town for the actual celebration. That might be a good thing...
If you've gotten this far in reading this post I'd love to ask you to quickly drop a word or two of comment before you go. This site is not controversial and doesn't necessarily beg conversation, but I recently checked Google Analytics to see how many visitors I've been getting (something I haven't done in almost a year) and I was blown away by how many people stop by (well into the four digits per month!) It would be a blast to see how many of you can take a minute to just write a quick hi! or somesuch (I promise I'm not fishing for complements.) And be sure to leave your own web address if you're not with Blogger so that people can check out your site too...Thanks in advance!
Upcoming post: Stay tuned for the next episode of Crazy Icelandic Names. Here's a sample of what you can look forward to!
50 comments:
Hi! I've been reading for a while but never commented. I'm quite enamoured with Iceland, really, which is why I enjoy your blog so much. :)
Til hamingju, Anna! You are the first commenter out of many, I hope. I wish I had a prize to give, but I'll have to send you feelings of joy and happiness, instead.
(Til hamingju means congratulations, of course!
I check your blog everyday much as I do my newspapers and very much enjoy your writings and great photos
And Anonymous gets second place in the Great Comment Drive!
Now, I know that nearly half of my visitors are still asleep on other continents, so we eagerly await daytime in other far off lands...
Your father and I got into the habit of checking your blog every morning while still in the States, now that we are living couple of block away we still check your site!.....Mamma
Iceland is such a beautiful place, I hope to visit it one day. I was attracted to your site by your lovely photos and interesting everyday comments on things both great and small.
I subscribe through bloglines and click everytime there's a new post. I dream of visiting Iceland and that dream may be realized sooner than later since we've had some major changes in life circmustances (good ones).
Comments...I usually don't only because it seems you have a busy life that doesn't need extra chatter. But rest assured, your posts are much appreciated.
I found your site recently, during one of my many "I miss Iceland" moments. I am an American who has visited Iceland twice (in 2002 and 2004) and I simply loved it. I can't wait to get back. My brother is there right now on business and I'm very jealous!
I'm always happy to post. I enjoy your blog!
Your post has become a habit. A great way to feed the English hungry information junkie
Hi, Maria!!! I've been reading your blog for several months now and I love it. I believe I did comment a few months back because I have a niece named Valentina who is almost the same age as your Valentina. I believe I made note of the coincidence. So, hello from Canada and hope all is going well over your way. I really enjoy your beautiful and interesting pictures.
Steph
I love Iceland.
As I think you realize I miss Iceland. Your blog have become a reference to know how is the country and it's funny to try to recognize the places of your pictures.
If you don't mind I'll continue to link some of your post in my blog.
Sæl Maria,
I come to Iceland quite a bit because I do a video site about Iceland and the Icelandic horse so I am out and about mostly in the countryside. I enjoy being able to visit your world with you through this blog and to see another side of Iceland. Thanks for such a friendly site and sharing your life with us!
Kær kveðja
Stan
PS: I hope you get a lot of comments. I know how important they are!
HI
I love the scenery of Iceland and would love to visit sometime. I have been reading your blog for a couple of weeks now to get a better appreciation of Iceland.
Chad from Pennsylvania, USA (near Philly)
Hi! I love your blog, and was happy to find it since I have always had a place for Iceland in my heart. I first learned about Icelandic music (like twinsong) from my friend Asdis who went to school in the states for a period of time. She sang in Iceland with the Hamrahlidharkorinn (apologies for the spelling/transliteration), and I still listen to the discs she gave me when we were kids. I hope to visit Iceland with my family when the children are a little bigger. Compliments to you, Maria, for a compelling blog. Thin vinkona in Iowa, USA, Amy
Hi Maria!
I check your blog as often as I can. But, believe it or not, I have to get my Mom to type in the password twice before I can view any pictures. This she does not like to do. lol She really should trust me. I don't ever get into anything bad online. I love your blog. Foreign countries are so interesting!
Have been a faithful reader of your blog since last year. I was looking for information for an Iceland trip, and what I found on this blog was wonderfully insightful for a tourist. I'm hooked...to the blog and to Iceland.
Would also like to mention that my girls and their Scandinavian folk-dance group had the honour of dancing for the President of Iceland when he was here (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) in April.
Laura
I love the little stories and details that come with these comments! It's fascinating to find out how many people have personal links to Iceland.
I've been to Iceland twice now (once in Spring when I went up to Husavik and once in a beautifully snowy November when I went up to Hofn.
This is one of four Icelandic blogs I read every day to remind myself of your country (which I love even though it's very far away).
Just a plain old RSS subscriber here. I'm pretty sure Google Analytics stats don't count us reading via RSS, so the number is probably higher than you think.
Hey Maria,
I have to tell you that your blog is the only thing that gets me through the school year. I can't wait untill summer so I can come and visit. I am sure Amma and Afi already told you the news, and if they havn't shame on them. Love you.
I know how hard it is to get comments at times, so this is a great idea.
I'm also one of those Americans with Iceland-envy. I tried to study abroad in Iceland, but I settled for studying in Spain and I hit Iceland on the way back. I went hiking in Hveragerdi (spelling may be way off) and did the tourist thing in Reykjavik. I've been reading about Icelandic culture ever since I became enamored with Sigur-Ros about 7 years ago. I enjoy your blog and perspective on the country.
Matt from Maryland (DC area).
I am writing to contribute with one more comment to your excellent idea.
I have been talking with a friend of mine about visiting Iceland, but our wives disagree. They prefer warmer places, but we are considering going anyway by ourselves! They will go to Brazil, Egipt, or some other warm country and we will travel to Iceland :o)
Hi Maria! I look at your blog at least once a week, so far your the only person from 1986 that I even keep in touch with.
Hi! I keep an eye on your feed, and it's always interesting to read your posts. Keep up the good work :)
Wow, this is starting to feel like a party!
...Professor Batty checking in, I've been following you for over three years now... and thanks again for the link!
Hi Maria !
I've dropped a few comments in the past (and you've done the same for me - takk!) but I figured I'd add to the party atmosphere here...
As always, I love checking out Iceland Eyes and hope to return to Iceland, itself, soon.
Not this year, as I'm visiting my "home country," Ireland, for a family reunion in June (about 20 of us U.S. folks will be visiting for a nice 9 day visit).
Bless bless...
p.s. I'd like to add your site to my (short) blog list, if that's okay with you. Of course, no need to post my rubbish blog on yours ;)
I love your blog. It's actually on my Google homepage so I can quickly see when you add a new pic. I have to admit I was going through a bit of withdrawl when your baby was very small. When I visit Iceland I'll feel as though I've already got a friend there. Thanks for such a wonderful blog.
All this good feeling and love is more than I ever expected. I'm a very wealthy person to have so many e-friends out there in the ether! And of course you can add me Vizlát (and I'll be adding all of you who've left links to my short list too!)
Hæ ; )
I spent a 25 hour layover in Reykjavik last year and constantly think of returning. Your pictures remind me of the wonderful time I had in your beautiful country.
Halo! I have been reading your blog for quite a while and used to have a link in my blog but i thought its rude as i din asked for your permission for it. i think now is the best time to do it, can i have a link of this blog to mine?
enjoy ur writing and photos and i hope to visit Iceland one day. keep up the superb work!
Hi Maria, Your blog has been one in my favourites for a long time.
I've always dreamed of visiting Iceland, even as a child, and last year I was walking my dog on empty moorland (a windy day in England) and a torn section of a map of Iceland literally flew at me and stuck to my leg! a sign?!...made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Maybe I've already been there in a past life or something? So I've promised myself to save hard so I can see for myself the beauty you capture in your photos.
Keep it up, I love your blog.
Thanks for sharing bits and pieces of your Iceland with the world. I really the interesting subjects you find for your pictures.
Maria, I grew up in Northern California too, but alas my Icelandic heritage has not yet been documented by my genealogaholic husband. I have hopes, though. Iceland is an unexpected passion that bit me, and it keeps getting worse. Which is a good thing. Thanks for helping me feel a part of the Greater Icelandic Community. Julie, I loved your comment! From Rose in Virginia
http://www.fooface.blogspot.com/
Lovely photos, lovely country!
Hi Maria,
Actually found your blog some time ago searching for info about Bolladagur (bun day). Have been reading ever since. My hubby and I just returned recently from an entirely too short (only 3 days) visit with friends/adopted family in Iceland, Keflavik to be exact. It was sooo wonderful to be back after almost 4 years away. It still feels like home despite all the growth and changes (Njardvik has exploded!). Thanks so much for the blogs and photos that bring me back to the home of my heart.
a quick Hi
Hi,
Iceland has fascinated since I had a brief stoppover in Reykjavik on route from London to New York 7 years ago.
I was pleased to make it "properly" (well for 3 nights at least) to Iceland this year.
I have also enjoyed a few Icelandic writers (contemporary rather than Sagas so far)- Olaf Olaffson being my latest discovery.
I enjoy your blog for its photos and the real flavour of Iceland that it gives the reader.
Luis
Hello Maria!
I've been reading your blog for six months or so, and it's been a very nice find. I've used many of your pictures as background on my computer, and I would lovelovelove to visit someday.
Cheers, and thanks!
we love ur blog.. have been visiting since before our Iceland honeymoon in 2005- have just celebrated our second anniversary and baby is due in 10 days.. keep the lovely pics and commentaries coming.. we are definitely coming back to visit!
Have been reading and enjoying the photos on your blog for a long time. We considered moving to Reyðafjörður just because we love how wild and away from it all it is there. We even found a house online right on the water. Loved your prior post on your Grandmas house... I saw it when you first posted it and marveled at the way they lived. My mother in law is in Iceland now visiting her 7 siblings, while my Icelandic sweetie and I only dream of being there *sigh*
Dear Maria,
I was blessed to live in Iceland from June 2001 - January 2004. My oldest daughter was born on the NATO base in 2002. I love the photos you post on your blog because I loved living in Iceland so much and it just makes me feel like I'm back home again. I could have stayed forever. (I still wish I could find a way!!!) I hope to come for a visit again in a few years. Keep up the great work with your blog.
Bless,
Shannon
Hi there,
I have been visiting your blog for a year or so. If I remember correctly I got to know about it through another blog that I regularly read. Mostly check in to see new photos (you are a good photographer), but I like your little stories too.
Greetings from Sweden. /Fredrik
Hi
greetings from the netherlands. My name is Henny and I just happened to stumble on your website by coincidence. I liked to read about your observations on the country. I have been once in Iceland last year for a short trip that I won with an icecream company. Time was too short for a really good look but our first impressions were very positive!
I hope to get back there one day
I will stop bye once in a while if I may
greetings
Henny & Gosia
http://gosiad.blogspot.com
Hi Maria,
I've just stumbled upon your blog, but I have to say that I'm going to be a regular visitor.
Love the photos. Love the written text.
Great work!
Greetings,
I'm planning on visiting Iceland in the spring and luckily came across your blog. Your photos are as beautiful as the text that accompanies them. Please keep sharing, your touch is felt around the globe.
Jeff US/PA
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