Christmas in Höfn

Unfortunately I don't have much time in Höfn before the holidays because I will soon be traveling to Brussels (and what a travel adventure it will be, I'm sure!) and then on to Akureyri, which is where I will be spending the holidays.

Luckily people in Höfn have started to put up their lights and things are starting to look a bit more festive around here. One thing that is missing, however, is the snow. I guess I've gotten used to having snow each winter after living in Oslo, so it's kind of strange to not be living in an area that is covered in a white blanket at this time of year. While I miss staring out at the snow and beautiful crisp sunny days, I like not having to worry too much about where I step when I walk places. Andri likes to call me his "cow on an ice patch." Apparently that is a direct translation from an Icelandic expression about people who can't walk on snow/ice. It's true.. it's quite a sight to see me. And I'm not without ice here.. the black ice can be really, really awful! 

Just before I leave for Brussels a nice co-worker of Andri's invited us over to make Laufabrauð (leaf bread). Laufabrauð is not something that I'm crazy about. It's nice, but nothing to write home about. But Laufabrauð is a marker of Christmas for Andri, his family, and many Icelanders. Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Laufabrauð!

It was fun to try carving the patterns.. Andri has obviously had more practice than me. And, of course, the ones we made tasted much better than the store bought ones. I hope to do it again - it was a fun cultural activity!

 In Höfn, we also have a Christmas Market. It's not hardly the same as what you'll find in Oslo or most other places, but it's just nice to have one. It runs for four Saturdays for only about three hours at a time. There is carolling, local farms selling their goods, and community organizations selling handmade items.