Today is the middle of Day 6 and I will write more about today at a later time, but I thought I would take this opportunity to write because I am at a wi-fi cafe. The reception is great and it is free! It is so expensive and so erratic on the boat. Today we are docked at an island just south of Reyjavik and it is part of the Westman Islands. It is the only inhabited island in the group and it is called Heimay although I am not sure about the spelling. I have free time all day today and then am going on a boat tour of the islands at 5 p.m. today.
I noticed in my last post that the information about our tour guide did not make it. What I was going to say is that she is on city council in her town, is taking her masters in human geography over the internet and loves to camp and hike. She lived in Reyjavik for 6 years but thought it was too "big city" and intense (which is kind of funny as compared to most American and Canadian cities) and loves to live in the country. She said the biggest problem facing Iceland, especially the rural areas, is de-population, which I am not surprised about. It just must be a pretty challenging life for a young person to live year after year in one of the small fishing villages along the coast. I think you have to really be into outdoor activities and family and not worry too much about sunlight.
In the town I am in now, there are lots of young people around, because there is a festival on. Many have come from other parts of Iceland. It is cold and wet and rainy today and many of the young people are wearing big rubber boots and these brightly colored waterproof overalls, which I think are in fashion here. Two young guys are walking by as I speak, one in neon orange overalls and one in neon green overalls. I think the girls like them too as a saw a young girl buying a pair earlier. They are big and fit over all of your clothes except your shoulders. It is kind of funny. I have also noticed that a lot of people, young and old wear the traditional wool knit Icelandic sweaters with the same types of designs that have always been on them. It is kind of cool that they have stayed in style over so many decades.
I am trying to arrange a genealogical tour for my second last day in Iceland. I saw it advertised in some of the literature that was in the lobby of my first hotel. I got some information from Grandma on the names and birthdates of Amma, her parents and Afi's grandparents and wrote to the tour group from the ship. They said they did not know whether there was enough time to put everything together but they were going to try to do it. If they are able, they put together a chart with your family tree on it and take you to the places where your ancestors lived. If that doesn't work out, I am just going to go on a regular tour of Reyjavik. It is kind of hard because I cannot call them right now but just email them.
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