The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.2000, Qupperneq 33

Vol. 55 #4
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
331
them to be extremely artistic and creative.
They appreciated the artistic merit and crafts-
manship in each piece and showed a sincere
interest in the exhibit.
One of the joys of carving has been to
share information and to teach others about
the process involved in the creation of the
sculptures. To this end, we took with us seven
little wrens in various stages. These were used
to demonstrate techniques used in the creation
of the carvings. Two workshops were held in
Hofsos and a demonstration at Egilstadir. We
left Hofsos on August 3rd and headed to
Reykjavik to set up the next exhibition at the
University of Iceland. This exhibit was held
August 5th to 8th and was in conjunction with
a Conference by the Nordic Association of
Canadian Studies entitled "Rediscovering
Canada." While in Reykjavik we were most
fortunate to be offered an apartment by one of
Einar's cousins. While there, we could be
completely independent. We toured around
Reykjavik and also did some trips out of the
city.
We spent two days east of Reykjavik and
visited the tourist destinations of Gullfoss and
Geysir. We visited friends and relatives in
Selfoss and Hella, and also stayed in a most
comfortable and interesting Bed and Breakfast
at Hveragerdi, called Frost and Fire. Only in
Iceland could you swim in a warm pool under
the stars at midnight, or sit in a hot tub at the
edge of a warm geothermally heated rushing
river, while steam rose from fissures in the
ground, close by. The country never ceased to
amaze us!
We also spent two days on the
Snaefellsnes peninsula at a Bed and Breakfast
called "Solbrekka", operated by GuSlaugur
and GuSrun Bergmann. We found
Snaefellsnes to be a mystical, magical place.
GuSlaugur treated us to guided tours of the
area, where we learned a great deal of history.
We even saw the birthplace of GuSriSur
Thorbjarnasdottir, the mother of the first
European child born in North America.
We were back in Reykjavik in time to
mount the final show; this time at the Nordic
House. The media was most kind, and inter-
views were done by both newspapers and the
radio. And the opening of the show, on
August 17th, was televised! A large number of
people attended the opening and it was an
unbelievable experience for all of us.
We are delighted that my Mom, Olga was
able to travel to Iceland with us this summer.
She enjoyed this trip immensely and especial-
ly enjoyed the family reunions and travelling
through the countryside at a leisurely pace.
1 must also say that this trip was an unfor-
gettable time for our young son Kristian. He
went jigging for cod, fishing with rod and
reel; he went horseback riding and mountain
climbing; birdwatching and berrypicking. Not
to mention all the very fine swimming pools
we all enjoyed in every part of the country. He
met children of all ages who were most kind
to him, and communication did not seem to be
a problem. He enjoyed every aspect of his
travels and by the time he arrived home again,
he was speaking a fair amount of Icelandic.
He hopes to go back again, someday, and is
quite interested in the Snorri Program.
I am sure that the generosity and hospi-
tality of the Icelandic people is unequalled.
Everywhere we went, we were welcomed
with open arms and invited for meals, coffees
and overnights. Our hope is that, over the next
few years, many of these people will visit
Canada so that we will have an opportunity to
extend similar warmth and kindness.
We feel grateful and extremely honoured
to have been given this wonderful opportuni-
ty. Thank you to Adalsteinn Ingolfsson and
David and Gladys Gislason for their support
and vision. Thank you to the Icelandic
National League of Canada and their Chapters
in Arborg (Esjan), Gimli, Vancouver and
Toronto for sponsorship; special thanks to
Gail Einarson-McCleery for all her hard work
in coordinating these shows; thank you also to
The Canada Council and Icelandair for their
assistance.
Also, special thanks to Valgeir
Thorvaldson; his family, and staff at Hofsos
for their wonderful care and many kindnesses;
and to GuSrun Bjork GuSsteinnsdottir at the
University of Iceland; Riita Heinemaa,
Ingibjorg Bjornsdottir and the staff at the
Nordic House for their assistance.
And a heartfelt 'Thank You' to all our rel-
atives and friends in Iceland who helped to
make this trip so memorable. Our trip to
Iceland this past summer was indeed a 'dream
come true! We will treasure these memories
forever.