Iceland – Things to Take

Just one more Iceland post. In case anyone is planning on going I thought I’d supply some packing pointers.

Things I’m glad I took…

A Rain Coat – it rained on and off the whole time we were there. The wind was so strong an umbrella wouldn’t have done a bit of good.

Dollars to Kronar conversion table – I printed it from Excel, laminated it with packing tape, very handy

Gloves – It was cold.

Things I wish I had brought…

Warmer gloves – It was really cold.

Gortex pants – We took a tour of the sights and between the wind, sleet and rain our clothes were soaked.

Gortex parka – See above.

Ski hat – Again see above. I had a hood but the wind was so strong it wouldn’t stay on – ended up buying a hat.

An English to Icelandic Dictionary

Everyone we met in Iceland spoke English but Icelandic is definely the language of choice and it would have been nice to understand a few words. We picked up a visitor’s guide book in the hotel lobby and it did have a few “indespensible” words and phrases. I would have considered “Where is the bathroom” and indespensible phrase. The writers of this book had other ideas. Here are a few of their “indespensible” phrases…

I am a Viking.
I’m on vacation.
You are cute!
What is your name?
Where do you live?
What’s you number?

I’m not sure for whom this list is indended – Viking swingers? Hmmm, I burly, bearded men in white leisure suits and horned helments – it could be a Monty Python skit.