Reykjavík Grapevine - 27.07.2007, Blaðsíða 17

Reykjavík Grapevine - 27.07.2007, Blaðsíða 17
B1_RVK_GV_INFO_ISSUE 11_007_ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE Services Useful Numbers Emergency number: 112 Police: 569 9000 Medical help: 1770 Dental emergency: 575 0505 AA: 551 2010 Information: 118 Telegrams: 146 Tax Free Refund Iceland Refund, Aðalstræti 2, Tel: 564 6400 www.icelandrefund.com Laundry Service HI Hostel, Sundlaugarvegur 34, Tel: 553 8110, www.hostel.is Úðafoss, Vitastígur 13, Tel: 551 2301, www.udafoss.is Post Office Post offices are located around the city as well as in the countryside. The downtown post office is at Pósthússtræti 3-5. For a full list and info on opening hours visit www. posturinn.is. Stamps are also sold in bookstores, gas stations, some grocery stores and tourist shops. Embassies and Consulates in Iceland United States, Laufásvegur 21, Tel: 562 9100 United Kingdom, Laufásvegur 31, Tel: 550 5100 Russia, Garðastræti 33, Tel: 551 5156 China, Víðimelur 29, Tel: 552 6751 For a full list visit Ministry for Foreign Affairs: www.mfa.is/diplomatic-mis- sions/icelandic-missions/ Internet Access Most coffeehouses have wireless Internet access. Computers with Internet connections are available at: Ráðhúskaffi City Hall, Tjarnargata 11 BSÍ Bus Terminal, Vatnsmýrarvegur 10 Ground Zero, Vallarstræti 10 The Reykjavík City Library, Tryggvagata 15 The National and University Li- brary, Arngrímsgata 3 Tourist Information Centre, Aðalstræti 2 Icelandic Travel Market: Bankastræti 2 Opening hours Bars and clubs: According to regula- tions bars may be open until 01:00 on weekdays and 05:30 on weekends. Shops: Mon-Fri 10-18, Sat 10-16, Sun closed. The shopping centres Kringlan and Smáralind as well as most super- markets and tourist shops have longer opening hours. Swimming pools: weekdays 06:30-22:30, weekends 08:00-20:30 although some may be open an hour longer. The State owned ÁTVR liquor stores: Mon-Thu 11-18, Fri 11-19, Sat 11-18. Banks in the centre are open Mon-Fri 09-16. Getting Around Public transport The only public transport system in Reykjavík is the bus. Most busses run every 20 minutes and price per fare is 250 ISK for adults and 75 ISK for chil- dren. Complete route map at: www. bus.is. Tel: 540 2700 Busses run from 07:00-24:00 on weekdays and 10:00-24:00 on week- ends Rent a bike Borgarhjól, Hverfisgata 50, Tel: 551 5653, www.borgarhjol.net HI Hostel, Sundlaugarvegur 34, Tel: 553 8110, www.hostel.is Tourist Information Centre, Aðalstræti 2, Tel: 590 1550, www.visitreykjavik.is Taxi Hreyfill-Bæjarleiðir, Tel: 553 3500 or 588 5522 BSR, Tel: 561 0000 For disabled travellers Reykjavík Group Travel Service, Brunastaðir 3, Tel: 587 8030, www. randburg.com/is/reykjavik_group_trav- el_service/ A useful brochure, Accessible Reykja- vík, can be found at tourist offices. Car rentals Átak Car Rental, Smiðjuvegur 1, Tel: 554 6040 ALP, Dugguvogur 10, Tel: 562 6060 Avis, Knarravogi 2, Tel: 591 4000 Eurocar, Hjallahraun 9, Tel: 565 3800 A.G Car Rental, Tangarhöfði 8-12. Tel: 587 5544 Atlas Car Rental, Dalshraun 9, Tel: 565 3800 Berg Car Rental, Tangarhöfða 8, Tel: 577 6050 Hertz, Flugvallavegur, Tel: 522 4400 Airlines Air Iceland, Reykjavíkurflugvöllur, Tel: 570 3030, www.flugfelag.is Air Vestmannaeyjar, Tel: 481 3255, www.eyjaflug.is Bus Terminal BSÍ, Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, Tel: 562 1011, www.bsi.is Samferda.net A reasonable choice for the budget traveller. You log on to the website www.samferda.net, choose your destination and hopefully find a travel buddy to share the cost. The Intercultural Centre The Intercultural Centre throws oc- casional cultural events and confer- ences but its main purpose is to be an information and counselling centre and serve as an advocate for the rights of immigrants in Iceland. Hverfisgata 18, Tel: 530 9300 www.ahus.is Icelandic Travel Market Bankastræti 2, Tel: 510 5700, www.kleif.is Information on day tours, accommo- dations, car rental and everything else you need to know when travelling in Iceland. Iceland Visitor Lækjargata 2, Tel: 511 2442, www.icelandvisitor.com A travel agency offering travelling package trips and custom-made tours as well as car rental, day tours and accommodations for visitors. Tourist Information Centre Aðalstræti 2, Tel: 590 1550, www.visitreykjavik.is Offers information for tourists as well as providing internet access, booking service, a phone centre, money ex- change service, tax refund and selling the Reykjavík Tourist Card. The Reykja- vík Tourist Card gives admission to city busses, various museums, Reykjavík swimming pools, The Family Park and Reykjavík Zoo, The Culture House and the National and University Library. The Icelandic Tourist Board Lækjargata 3, Tel: 535 5500, www.visiticeland.com All information needed before travel- ling in Iceland. Goethe Institute Túngata 14, Tel: 561 5921, www.goethe.de/island A cultural institute that offers movie screenings, lectures and German language courses. Nordic House Sturlugata 5, Tel: 551 7030, www.nordice.is The Nordic cultural centre organises various cultural events, conferences and exhibitions. All major tourist spots in Reykjavík also offer brochures, maps and information for travellers. Useful Information Where to learn Icelandic as a foreign language Icelandic on the Internet, www.vefskoli.is Mímir Continuing Education, Skeifán 8, Tel: 580 1800, www.mimir.is Námsflokkar Reykjavíkur, Fríkirkjuvegur 1, Tel: 551 2992 Fjölmenning, Laugavegur 59, Tel: 511 1319, www.fjolmenning.is The Icelandic College of Engineer- ing and Technology, Höfðabakki 9, Tel: 577 1400, www.thi.is Iðnskólinn í Reykjavík, Skólavörðuholti, Tel: 552 6240, www.ir.is The University of Iceland – Depart- ment of Continuing Education, Dunhagi 7, Tel: 525 4924, www.endurmenntun.is Religious movements The national church in Iceland is the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Masses are generally held on Sundays at 11:00 in churches all around the capital. Service in English is at Hallgrímskirkja every last Saturday each month, start- ing at 14:00. The Roman Catholic Church also has masses in English and Polish. Other religious movements in Reykja- vík are for example: The Muslim Association of Iceland, Ármúli 38 Ásatrú Association, Grandagarði 8 Bahá’í, Álfabakka 12 The Church of Evangelism, Hlíðasmári 9 The Icelandic Buddhist Movement, Víghólastígur 21 Reykjavík Free Lutheran Church, Fríkirkjuvegur 5 Pentecostal Assembly, Hátún 2 Roman Catholic Church, Hávallagata 14 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, Ásabraut 2 Jehovah’s Witnesses, Sogavegur 71 Seventh-Day Adventists, Suðurhlíð 36
 Zen Buddhism in Iceland, Reykjavíkurvegur 31 Independent Church, Háteigsvegur 101 The Russian Orthodox Church in Iceland, Sólvallagata 10 The Cross, Hlíðasmári 5-7 Trade Unions The Icelandic Federation of Labour, Sætún 1, Tel: 535 5600, www.asi.is The Federation of State and Mu- nicipal employees, Grettisgata 89, Tel: 525 8300, www.bsrb.is The Association of Academics, Bor- gartún 6, Tel: 581 2090, www.bhm.is Efling, Sætún 1, Tel: 510 7500, www.efling.is The Commercial Workers’ Union, Kringlan 7, Tel: 510 1700, www.vr.is Union of Public Servants, Grettis- gata 89, Tel: 525 8340, www.sfr.is Useful Websites www.visitreykjavik.is (The official tourist website of Reykjavík) www.gayice.is (Information about the gay scene in Iceland) www.fjolmenningarsetur.is (The Multicultural Centre) www.hostel.is (Hostel International in Iceland) www.vinnumalastofnun.is (Public employment services) www.gulalinan.is (The yellow pages) www.leigulistinn.is (Rent a flat) www.simaskra.is (Icelandic telephone directory) Where to get Work and residence permit: The Directorate of Immigration, Skógarhlíð 6, Tel: 510 5400, www.utl.is. Insurance and benefits: The State Social Security Institute, Laugavegur 114-116, Tel: 560 4400, www.tr.is Icelandic citizenship: Unless you come from a Nordic country, foreign citizens have to have had an unre- stricted residence permit in Iceland for at least seven years in order to get an Icelandic citizenship although some exceptions exist to that general rule. Applications are at the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, Skuggasund, Tel: 545 9000, www.domsmalaraduneyti.is Unemployment benefits: Director- ate of Labour, Public Employment Service, Tryggvagata 17, Tel: 515 4800, www.vinnumalastofnun.is Icelandic social security number (kennitala): National Register, Bor- gartún 30, Tel: 560 9800, www.hagstofa.is Driver’s license: Those who have a foreign license don’t need an Icelandic one for the first six months. After that time you have one month to apply for an Icelandic driver’s license. Applica- tions are at police stations. Tax card: Tax office, Laugavegur 166, Tel: 563 1100, www.rsk.is Rent subsidies: Social Service Office, Tryggvagata 17, Tel: 411 9000 www. felagsthjonustan.is Facts on Iceland Iceland is a constitutional repub- lic with slightly more than 300,000 inhabitants. Reykjavík has been the country’s capital since 1786 and today almost two-thirds of the population live in the greater capital area. The 17th of June 1944 Iceland became an independent republic. That day is the national holiday and is celebrated all around the country. Alþingi, the national parliament, is the oldest assembly in the world, established at Þingvellir in 930 but restored in Reykjavík in 1844. The par- liament is comprised of 63 members, who are elected by popular vote every four years. Icelandic citizens over 18 years of age have the legal right to vote. Parliamentary elections were last held in 2003 with 33.7 percent of votes going to the Independence Party. The Social Democratic Alliance got 31 percent, the Progressive Party 17.7 percent, the Leftist-Greens 8.8 percent and the Liberal Party 7.4 per- cent. The Independence Party and the Progressive Party formed a coalition and together lead the government. Iceland has 12 ministers with the prime minister and head of govern- ment being Geir H. Haarde, who is also chairman of the Independence Party. The President of Iceland is Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, who has been in office since 1996. He is the Chief of State although his duties are mostly ceremonial. Time Zone: GMT 0 Currency: Íslensk króna (ISK). International Dialling Code: +354 Cultural Centres and Tourist Offices 1. June – 9. September 2007 Olaf Otto Becker · Páll Stefánsson · RAX automatos Laugavegi 7 • 101 Reykjavík Sími 561 6262 • www.kisan.is Annick Goutal, Bonpoint, Farmers Market, Orla Kiely, Sonia Rykiel, Jamin Puech, Petit Bateau, Steiff ... Don’t miss Kisan when in downtown Reykjavík. A truly unique concept store carrying world known brands as well as local delights like the quality sweaters from Farmers Market – only place in downtown. The soft-spoken musings of Swedish Jens Lek- man are carving him a spot in music history as one of Europe’s best-loved troubadours. Bashful, sweet, and disarmingly earnest, Lek- man sings about life and love in their purest forms. Grapevine caught up with 26-year-old Jens over the phone, and a nice cup of tea, from his home in Gothenburg, Sweden, to talk about life on the eve of his third record. You’re playing the Nordic Horn Festival in late August, how do you feel about being back? I’m really looking forward to it. I had a little too short a visit the last time. The flights were a bit poorly booked; I spent over twenty hours at Copenhagen’s airport, and very little time in Reykjavík. That was for Iceland Airwaves; you were filling in for Jenny Wilson at the National Theater Basement. It was one of the best shows I saw that weekend, there was such a great atmosphere. But you said later that you had been surprised at the reception because you thought that no one knew you here. Yeah. Do you think you often underestimate your success? I do, yes of course, especially in countries where I haven’t been before. I went to Brazil later on that year, I thought no one knew me there, and I played for a thousand people. Yeah, I’m always surprised. Sometimes I show up and I play for two people and a dog. That happens sometimes too. Can you think of a couple of recent songs that you most enjoyed writing? Well, there are the songs that I write to make myself do something, like Julie for example. I wrote that song because I didn’t know Julie and I hadn’t done any of that stuff that I sang about in the song. I wrote it so as to push myself to actually walk up to her and say Hi and say do you want to go down to the har- bour and eat some fries, and to actually get to know her. I do that with a lot of songs, I write the story before it happens and then I have to act it out because otherwise I would be too embarrassed to play it. How much of your writing is non-fic- tional? I think everything, or 99%, is non-fictional. It’s like with my own storytelling. In real life, I make up a lot of lies, I make up a lot of stories but they’re always about insignificant shit, like stuff I’ve seen on the tram or stuff that doesn’t really matter at all. I would never make up anything that mattered I think. In your songs? Or in real life. Why? Because it seems like my own imagination doesn’t really match what goes on in real life. Life imitates art in a much better way than art imitates life. Which is why you write the songs before they happen? Yeah, exactly. In many of your songs I see a sort of wist- ful or nostalgic longing for the past, es- pecially, perhaps, for youth. Do you think that fits? Sure. Especially on the last single that I put out this summer on the B-side. I was listening to the singles that just arrived from the factory and both those songs are extremely nostalgic for a time in my life, and for some sort of in- nocence I guess. Do you enjoy talking about your music? At this very moment, surprisingly, yes. You seem to like working with fresh meth- ods or these sort of untainted resources like people who aren’t classically trained in music or unusual instruments and sounds. You’ve often sung in languages that you don’t actually speak, like Icelandic for ex- ample. Yeah. I think it gives your music a sort of fresh or genuine quality. Can you explain that motivation? The thing was, I gave up on music about two years ago. I grew tired in one way; I needed some kind of new inspiration. And what drew me back was definitely hearing Majer Shalal Hash Baz, this Japanese band. They consist of this guy called Tori Kudo. He’s an excellent composer but he works only with people who can’t really play. They came to Gothenburg and I played with them and they played a cover of Black Cab, and for the first time in my life I heard my music from outside. They played this song, and you could tell that it was Black Cab but it sounded so innocent and beautiful. For a very long time I hated myself and I hated my band because I thought that we played too good. I kept yelling at my musicians saying, ‘You have to learn how to play worse!’” After a while I realised that you can’t do that; you can’t teach a dog not to sit. So that’s why I approached languages instead I think. Do you see yourself as seeking something intrinsically Swedish, or do you view your music as transcending any specific place? I’m not sure actually what I’m doing. For the latest record I wanted my music to meet the world and I wanted to meet new people, but instead I just stayed home and wrote ev- erything within the thirty square feet of my apartment. Did you sample a lot on this record like you’ve done on some of your earlier songs? Yes. Don’t you think that by incorporating these songs from other countries and from artists with different cultural backgrounds, you’re in a way travelling beyond the thirty-some square feet of your apart- ment? Yeah. I would like to see myself as an explorer or something like that. How has your life changed since you gained some notoriety and consequently how has the process of writing been af- fected? I don’t think my process of writing has changed very much. I found some way of writing just a few years before I started releasing records that I’ve been very happy with, including writing the songs before they happen. Lyrically, I think I’ve been more aware of the comedy in the songs. In the past my songs were sometimes interpreted as ironic or sarcastic, which they were absolutely not, and now I just want to avoid that so I’ve tried to capture the humour in the songs but made it warmer and more poetic in a way. I don’t avoid the fact that I’m a musician, a recording artist in any way. I just came to a point when I thought that it would be dishonest to not include any mentioning of that in my writing. It’s like I can’t pretend that I’m just… The same old Jens? (Laughs) Yeah, exactly. Not the Same Old Jens Text by Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir Photo by Gary Olson “For a very long time I hated myself and I hat- ed my band because I thought that we played too good. I kept yelling at my musicians saying, ‘You have to learn how to play worse!’” RVK_GV_INFO_ISSUE 11_007_INTERVIEW/MUSIC_B13

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