Greetings from the cloud

... of volcanic smog, that is. Plus: a poll, because I'd love your input

Greetings from inside the volcanic smog that has hung over Reykjavík for the last few days *cough*

This was the status this morning as I began to write this post, and it has not improved much, if at all. The photo is filched from the RÚV website:

Photo Arnór Fannar Rúnarsson for RÚV

Oh, in case you missed it, another eruption started last week. It’s the … eighth? … ninth ..? I can’t remember. We’ve stopped counting, and everyone has long since stopped being hyped / fascinated / obsessed with a new eruption. These events have become nothing if not annoying—a far cry from the amazement we felt at the first few that we could actually go and view close up.

Actual photo taken by yours truly in 2021

UPDATE: Whelp, since I started writing this I discovered that some people are stoked about the eruption, since apparently it is in an auspicious location for viewing. Cue tourist buses ferrying folks up to the eruption site, though where they are going to park is anyone’s guess—apparently all parking lots (such as they are out in the middle of nowhere) are packed full.

Anyhoo, this smog is not a major health risk, though it is also not particularly healthy. People are advised to stay inside, particularly if they have respiratory issues, and certainly not exert themselves out of doors while this is going on. This smog has persisted for about two days now, and it does not look likely to disperse anytime soon.

My husband and I often remark that the weather in Iceland is always excellent when there is no wind—whether it rains, shines, snows, or whatever. The wind is what makes the weather in this place unbearable. Except that now we are fervently wishing for wind to blow all this grey stuff away, and SOON.

And now for something completely …

You know how I have been writing about my great-grandmother and how she, along with thousands of other Icelanders, was a victim of systemic cruelty that was built into the social hierarchy and structure in this country in centuries past?

It is my conviction that the Icelanders of today are far more impacted by this history than most people are able to comprehend.

Many of you have been fascinated by these posts and the things I have been sharing about my family’s history, which makes me glad.

I plan to continue writing about this, but wanted to get your input on an idea I have.

I am envisioning a webinar in which we explore the sociocultural aspects of Iceland in centuries past, and the emotional imprint on descendants today.

We will look at things like the social hierarchy in Iceland of old, forced servitude (Vistarband) and its effects, the concept of niðursetningar and the auctioning of children, and the emotional legacy of these factors.

This would be a pre-recorded webinar, perhaps an hour long, that you could access at your leisure, possibly with some supplementary materials like further resource lists, prompts for reflection, etc.

I’m thinking the price would be somewhere in the ballpark of 30 USD, give or take.

I think this is something that would provide added depth and context for my posts, and provide insights into the Icelandic national character.

Personally I’m really stoked about this idea … but not terribly keen to put in a lot of work if it doesn’t resonate and people aren’t interested. (And incidentally I can’t see who gives what answer, so you don’t have to worry about offending me 😉)

Thanks in advance for your input. As I said, I am fascinated by this stuff and would love to share if there is enough interest.

LMK!

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My books all address the topic of Iceland’s history and its effects today in some way or another. Most particularly The Little Book of the Icelanders in the Old Days, the Little Book of the Hidden People, and Icelandic Folk Legends.