Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.06.2016, Blaðsíða 59

People of
Grímsey
Words and Photos JOHN ROGERS
60 The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 7 — 2016TRAVEL
Harpa Þórey & Gabríel, shopkeepers
“We moved here in 2005, from Akureyri. The life is
very different, and it’s quiet. My husband is from
here. We have the fish market, and a couple of boats,
this shop, and a hobby farm with fifty sheep and nine
horses. We had a couple of lambs yesterday, but they
came too early, so they died. The sheep needed a little
help and had become sick. It happens.”
Anna María, multi-tasker
“I’ve done many different jobs here. My first was ‘stock-
ing the lines’—putting hooks onto fishing lines. Then
I was a cook for the men building the new harbour,
cooking for fifteen guys and a girl. I couldn’t cook! But
they all lived. Then I had the store for nine years, and
the post office. I deliver the mail. I work with the ferry,
on the white forklift you can see at the docks. I’ve also
been working with the Gullsól guesthouse, where I’m
the manager. I’ve been in the women’s association for
twenty-five years. And worked with the various fish
companies. I used to teach dance in the school, and
now I clean it. Kind of everything—I can’t say no!”
Svavar, fisherman
“I brought in two tonnes today—the catch varies
from seven hundred kilos to five tonnes. We’re catch-
ing Gràsleppa now—lumpfish. They’re only here for
thirty-three days a year, so I have thirty nets out. I put
them out, leave them there, and bring them after two
or three days. The sea is pretty rough, so all the nets
are close to the island, but in summer, we fish at Kol-
beinsey. My father and brother are in the same compa-
ny—they’re out fishing cod in Drangsnes right now.”
Lady Gagga, multi-tasker
“A lot of tourists will fly to Grímsey for just a few
hours. The plane waits for them, and just goes when
they’re ready. I take them around and show them
the island by car. We go down to the lighthouse, and
cross into the Arctic Circle. If there are some puffins,
we’ll look at those. Then they get some time to walk
around, see the nature, and feel the fresh air. Grímsey
is a nice place to live. There are good people here.”
Karen Nótt, teacher
“I’ve been here for three years, I’m from Laugarvatn.
We have ten kids in the school and three in the kin-
dergarten. Then in the ninth grade, they move away
to Akureyri, with relatives usually, when they’re aged
fourteen. The school was built in 1966. It’s used for al-
most everything that happens indoors on the island.
It’s the community hall, the school, the kindergarten,
the doctor’s office, and the library. We have a zumba
class here. And sometimes people hire the place, like
a fishing group we get each year.”
Gunnar, power company worker
“I’ve come from Reykjavík to fill in for my boss. It’s
been pretty lonely. There’s not much to do. I don’t
know anyone!”
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