Jólakveðja frá Íslandi.

21.12.2003.

Hello all good people !

Here are few words from Ísland:

Today we have the shortest day of the year,

it´s a dark and a short day north here, but the town is

decorated with thousands of christmas lights.

We have snow, it makes the day a litle brighter.

Sunrise in Reykjavík was at 11,22 and sunset at 13,30.

The sun is very lazy only manages to go few degres up

and shines horizontal for a while, and is down again after a short time.

Today it´s cold in Ísland, last night it was - 21°c at Hveravellir,

and around - 12°c where I live.

Last night the 10. jule-lad came down from the mountain, his name

is Gluggagægir (Wenstergluren).

They are 13 brothers, and the first one comes down from the

mountain 13 days before christmas, now there are 3 more to come,

Gáttaþefur, Kjötkrókur, and Kertasníkir.

The kids put theyr shoe in the window before they go to sleep,

If they have been good the julelad will give them a small toy, or candy.

But if the kid have been naughty the lad will only put a rotten potatoe

in the shoe, that is the worst thing that can happen to a kid !

On the 23. of december, is a tradition to cook a strong tasting, and strong

smelling fish Skata (Vleet ? ) Potatoes, and melted lambs fat

is served with it.

And then comes the day all kids ( and grown up ) as well have

been waiting for 24. december Aðfangadagur.

18,00 hour the christmas starts with all the church bells ringing,

with the best food of the year, and all the lovely christmas packages,

what a evening !

And in th 25. most people eat Hangikjöt ( smoked lamb )

The cristmas keep on for 13 days, untill the the last julelad is gone back home in

the mountain, in the 6. of january is the last day of christmas.

This is the time of the year I feel like a child in my heart. those cosy dark days

around christmas, looking foreward to the spring when the midnight sun

shines on the mountains, and the night is brigther than the day is now.

I send you all, my best christmas greetings:

Gleðileg jól, gott og farsælt komandi ár.

ÿG.

P.S. Oant sjen !

ÿG