Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.07.2019, Page 56

L IF E , T R AV EL & EN T ER TA INMEN T IN ICEL A ND
Issue 11 × 2019
July 5th—July 18th
www.grapevine.is
LAST WORDS
The Secret
Is Out
Words: John Rogers
Photo: Timothée Lambrecq
Whether you love it or loathe it, heart it or
unfollow it, today’s Iceland is an Instagram-
mer’s dream. Sure, visitors to Iceland want
to experience nature and feel waterfall spray
on their faces—but they also want to keep
their iPhone screens dry whilst documenting
themselves doing it.
And hey, whatever. We don’t judge. The
Grapevine has an Instagram, and we too take
pleasure in communicating how humbling,
mesmerising and sublime Iceland’s wilder-
ness can be. Over the last decade and a half,
we’ve visited the most remote parts of the
country to express this stunning place to our
readers.
Recently, however, a new type of comment
has started appearing on such posts. Replies
like “Please don’t give away this place!” and
“This isn’t for everyone!” have become fre-
quent, from Icelanders, expats and visitors
alike.
It’s a strange phenomenon, given that
these commenters read Grapevine for the
very articles they’re asking us not to post. Af-
ter all, the Grapevine isn’t some all-powerful
megaphone that directs the Goretex masses
to every bathing place we cover. Nor are we
gatekeepers of what our readers shouldn’t
know about—but rather a gateway to what
they should. And if someone sees one of our
shots and decides to rent a 4x4 and drive
400km to an obscure F-road in the Westf-
jords to take a dip? They’ve most definitely
earned it.
That said, we sympathise with people who
are concerned about the effects of tourism
on nature. On this, we agree, and we take
every opportunity to encourage respect for
the landscape, and to hold those in power ac-
countable for improving infrastructure and
providing proper parking, signage, marked
trails, and other basic facilities.
But for those who think this country’s
wild places are somehow their secret to keep?
Jog on, people. It was never yours, and you
should really get used to sharing.
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