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12/23/98 I have it on very good report that,"Today is florláksmessa, it is an old tradition from catholic time. There is an holy florlákur that is remembered. There is a village on the south coast, florlákshöfn, Same florlák's origin.

Another thing that is and tradition here for a long time, that is to serve skate that is traditionally buried or depressored for some time before. The Skate is full of ammonia and smell just like fish boiled in piss. Most restaurants that serve this have a container outside where the skate is boiled, otherwise the restaurant will be closed down for the next half year. Those who are born and raised in westfjords will have suet that is partly sour with this terrific meet. To day the wind is N-W and you people shall not be surprised if you smell like gas leaking somewhere. It is just us boiling Skate and the wind is coming over the pole."

Iceland is old, but it is new. It's history dates back to the Viking era, but Iceland's cities are new and clean. The wilderness with all it's spectacular beauty is just miles from the cities' edge.
The wee ones, Jarngerdur, Margret, Hjortur, Gudbjorg and Vigdis
Iceland, as represented by it's people, is an image and a marvel of personal ingenuity and resourcefulness; homes and buildings heated with geothermal water, Ford trucks with Chevrolet diesel engines and 4x4 buses. They are warm, friendly, extremely hospitable and justifiably proud of their heritage and accomplishments. At the UPS station, the Box Factory, the laundromat, the corner grocery that helped me select the "right" fish to the museum we were always met with the same friendly helpful concern for our wellbeing from the Icelanders we met.