All Things Iceland By cover art

All Things Iceland

By: Jewells Chambers
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  • Discover Iceland’s language, history, culture, & nature
    ©2020 All Things Iceland
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Episodes
  • Nykur – A Deadly Icelandic Water Horse – Folklore Friday

    Nykur – A Deadly Icelandic Water Horse – Folklore Friday
    May 31 2024
    This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. What Makes a Nykur Different than a Normal Icelandic Horse? Nykur is a water horse that is a gray color but it can shape shift into other things, living or dead. However, it’s said that it can’t take the shape of lambswool or peeled barley.In most stories, when the Nykur shows up it is normally around water. It lures people in to ride it. The Nykur specifically hangs out around rivers or lakes that are difficult to cross so that you do want to mount it. When you approach it, the Nykur acts super docile and calm. You first think it is a wild horse that is just out and about minding its own business.The Nykur is hoping that when you see that the river or lake is hard to cross that you jump on it to get a ride across. However, as soon as you mount the horse it immediately starts to gallop into the water. In the water, it turns on its side in the deep area, which catches you off guard. The Nykur uses its body weight to sink you deeper into the water and holds you down there until you drown. Definitely not a fun experience. How to Avoid Being a Victim of a Nykur One very obvious difference between a Nykur and a regular horse is that it has inverted hoofs. Yes, their hoofs are literally backwardIf you have already mounted the Nykur and it starts to gallop towards the water, saying its name “Nykur” will immediately make it throw you off of its back because it hates the sound of its name. It will then head into the water without you.One story of a child that was able to survive a Nykur is that a young girl was sleeping out in the Icelandic wilderness near some water. A Nykur saw her and started to drag her into the water. She woke up and realized what was happening. Luckily, she was able to say “Leave me alone, Nykur”. Once it heard its name, the creature released her and raced back into the water.Another way is to make the sign of a cross on the backside of the Nykur is another way to protect yourself. Random Fact of the Episode A Nykur can mate with another horse that is not one of them and create offspring. The offspring look like a regular horse. A big difference is said to be that when water is poured on that horse, it will lay on it side and let the water be poured all over it. Also, if it is going to a river or a lake, it will want to roll over on its side. Icelandic Word of the Episode Nykur can mean neck in Icelandic but in this context it is a water demon. Share This With a Friend Facebook Email Twitter Let's Be Social Youtube Tiktok Instagram Facebook Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 4

    Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 4
    May 30 2024
    This is the fourth episode for my segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. If you want to submit a question, you can do it here.You can check out previous Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland episodes here. Answers to the Questions That Were Submitted 1. Stephanie J. asked: "What is the tipping culture in Iceland?" Tipping in Iceland is not expected, nor is the service you get dependent on it. While you can tip if you want to, it is certainly not a part of the culture, and some might even tell you that they don’t accept tips due to workers being paid a livable wage. 2. Ana R. asked: "What are your favorites pools and spas around Iceland? Cheers from Brazil!" My favorite high end pools and spas are:Sky LagoonGeo SeaForest LagoonWhen it comes to natural hot pools, my favorites are in the West fjords. They are as follows:Laugarnes on Birkimelur hot poolHeydalur hot pools and indoor pool in a greenhouseKrossneslaug poolFor local swimming pools, I really like Lágafellslaug in Mosfellsbær and Laugardalslaug in Reykjavík. 3. Caroline said: "I’m traveling to Iceland from the US and I was curious if I should get some Icelandic kronar before I come to have on hand. I know Iceland prefers cards, but would having cash on hand be helpful?" Because Iceland is becoming an almost cashless society, using cash is not necessary. Even really small vendors take debit and credit cards. You are more than welcome to take out Icelandic Kronar if you want to but you don’t need cash. 4. Caroline said: "What is the tipping culture for tour guides? For example, is it customary to tip the guide and/ or driver if you do a whale watching or glacier lagoon tour?" There is no expectation or encouragement to tip your tour guide. Of course you can if you want to but it is not a custom in Iceland to do that. 5. Stephanie said: "I traveled to Iceland in March 2017 and flew Icelandair. The programming on the flight included tv episodes of an Icelander who had moved to a small town and talked about the life and activities in that town. It was great and I haven't been able to find it again! Do you happen to know what the show is, or can you recommend other shows about life in Iceland? Thank you!" Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find the show you watched on Icelandair. You can find some shows on RÚV that have English substitles. There is also a channel on RÚV that has educational content. However, it is only in Icelandic. 6. Kelly N. said: "What's a good way or place to get a daily summary of current events in Iceland (in English! ;) )...as I'm sure you know, the daily morning and/or evening New York times is what I use in the US...love your show! :)" Here are the Icelandic news outlets online that are in English:RUV EnglishIceland ReviewThe Reykjavík GrapevineIceland Monitor 7. Mariana said: "Have you ever been to the Inside the Vulcano Tour? Is is worth it? Thanks!" Yes, I have been to Inside the Volcano some years ago. I think the experience was unique and interesting. I know it looks quite pricey, but I felt like it was worth it. The inside of the lava chamber was mind-blowing to me. 8. Chrissy P said: "Hi, Jewells! I’m a new listener and fan of the pod. My partner and I are visiting Iceland for the first time at the start of June and will be spending 2 weeks camper vanning it up! We’re birders and overall lovers of nature and are thinking of renting cameras instead of packing and bringing our own. Do you have thoughts or recommendations for renting cameras while we’re in Iceland? I know camera rentals can get pretty pricey quickly. Also, we too are East coast vegans! Thanks so much for all the plant based recs you’ve given on the pod! A bonus question, if it’s okay, would be for your favorite vegan-friendly hot dog spot in Iceland :’) Thanks so much!!" Here is one place that I found where they rent cameras.
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    28 mins
  • The Man & The Polar Bear – Folklore Friday

    The Man & The Polar Bear – Folklore Friday
    May 24 2024
    This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series where I am sharing a folklore story every Friday in 2024. A Tale from Grímsey Island I’m sharing about a man and a polar bear in Grímsey, which is the northernmost inhabited island in Iceland. It is the only part of Iceland that is the Arctic circle. I’ve not been there yet, but I have heard it is beautiful. This story takes place many years during a harsh winter.On this day, no one on the island could keep a fire lit. It seems that they were in short supply of resources for it, which was major problem since it was so cold. The intense cold froze the water in the sound between mainland Iceland and the island, which made it impossible for a ship to get to the island to provide more fire. Heading Out into the Harsh Winter in Search of Fire One solution was to walk on foot to mainland Iceland to get fire but doing that is a long journey that required resilience and endurance. They decided to pick three of their strongest men to make the journey. Early one morning the men set off on their way. Most of the journey was uneventful until they are halfway across the sound. There, they encounter a big gap in the sound. They are not sure how long and wide it is but it looks like it would be difficult to jump across. Two of the men jump and barely make it. The last guy does not feel confident he can make the jump so he just stands there. The other two who made the jump suggest that he go back to the island because they need to keep going. Not wanting to give up so easily, the guy walks along the big crack looking for a place that might be easier for him to jump across. Encountering a Polar Bear As the time passes, it gets darker and colder. Also, a storm rolls in as well. That storm brings southerly winds that blow warmer air, which starts to melt the ice. He gets caught on a big piece of ice that broke off in the sound between the mainland island and Grímsey. That piece of ice just drifts off in the water. Eventually, the storm stops and the piece of ice he is floating on crashes into a large ice sheet.At this point, he is really hungry, tired and he has no idea how he will get back home. To make matters worse, he encounters a polar bear. For those that do not know, Polar Bear are normally vicious hunters and will not hesitate to kill a person or another animal if they are hungry.Rightfully so, he is scared. The polar bear has cubs and she looks up at him as he stands there stopped in his tracks. She gives him the once over and starts to circle around him. How the Polar Bear Saved the Man's Life When it seems that he is getting stronger after a couple of days, the bear is walking along with him the bear puts her head down and gestures for him to get on her back. When he does, she shakes violently, which makes him fall off immediately. He has no idea why she did that but just left it alone. For the next few days, she continues to gesture for him to get on her back and shakes so hard that he falls off. At night, she keeps him warm and provides nutrition At one point, he is on her back and she shakes but he is able to hold on. That is when the bear jumps into the water with him on her back and starts swimming to Grímsey. When they arrive to the island, the man wants to show his gratitude so he gives her milk from his best cows and slaughters some of his best sheep for her to take back to share with her cubs. She is grateful for that and she heads back to her cubs with food. Everyone in the town is shocked that he had befriended a polar bear. Right after the bear left, they see a ship in the distance and the two guys from earlier in the story were on that ship. They were bringing supplies for fire back to the island. Random Fact of the Episode According to a webpage about Grímsey, about 100 people live there but it is home to about 1 million sea birds. Icelandic Word of the Episode Ísbjörn – Ice bear is the literal translation but it i...
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    10 mins
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Profile Image for Danielle Chambers

Swimming is so wonderful…

I truly enjoyed this episode, didn’t know that Icelanders didn’t have inside plumbing until the mid- 1900’s.

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Profile Image for laura

stumbled on this!!

I am going in December 2022.
super helpful! it's like the bioluminescent in PR (don't go during a full moon) . great advice.
she seems super cool

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