Árdís - 01.01.1954, Síða 33

Arsrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
31
Another product of this region of Iceland is the blue clay, the
finest of which is used by beauticians. It is also effective as a treat-
ment for rheumatism. The most popular clay bath resort is in
Hveragerdi, where there are steam baths, showers and a swim-
ming pool. Swimming pools are found throughout the land and
swimming, which is compulsory for children, is taught free of
charge.
Many holidayers prefer to go riding or hiking up into the
mountains. Necessary equipment for such trips includes stout
mountaineering boots, a light weight tent, lunch cases, and the
popular Icelandic sheepskin ulpa, or jacket, factory made in Reyk-
javik. In some places the meals can be cooked in the natural hot
water. If a camp fire is needed, the danger of such a fire spreading
is very little because of the surrounding lava. Scenes on these
mountain excursions are often magnificent especially on a bright
sunny day, because then the multicolored rocks are most noticeable.
There is a certain strangeness and fascination about the snow-
topped mountains, the glaciers covered in eternal ice and the water
falls which come crashing down the sheer precipices into deep
ravines below. Equally impressive and unforgettable are the quiet
restful places where no animals nor insects are to be found and
where the only sound is the occasional rumble of rock slide. As
the light of day changes, so do the colors of the mountains. An
impressive but eerie sight are the immense piles of rocks and lava
which look like giant playthings from a prehistoric age. Still other
holidayers enjoy the wonderful trout and salmon fishing while
some just go haying on the farmsteads. Farm-women in Iceland
have always worked in the hayfields alongside of the men.
Each year more and more farm work is being done by machine.
Most farmers now own tractors, milking machines, jeeps, and have
their homes wired for electricity. Within the next ten years, it is
expected that all farms will be electrified. There is no grain grow-
ing in Iceland but every year yields a larger crop of vegetables—
potatoes, cabbage, carrots and cauliflower. As yet there is little
livestock breeding but sheep-raising is an important industry.
One morning during the last week of March, 1946, Mount Hekla
erupted. News of this spread rapidly by radio and telephone just
as many were enjoying mola-kaffi. Hundreds of people started off
in cars to see this erupting mountain which was hardly visible,