In my previous post, I noted the total confusion and disagreement between the governments of Iceland and the U.K. on the most basic facts (like who said what). I also said that I thought most of the loans made by Icelandic banks could probably have been paid back under ordinary circumstances. The evidence that has come out over the past few days supports these ideas. It appears that the U.K. government, for whatever reason, was like a bull in a china shop. Britain over-reacted and guaranteed that a difficult situation would turn into a bloody mess.

Where do I start? Things are bad for the Icelandic economy. Real Bad. A few people I talked to are stoic, but no one is happy, and most everyone is worried, angry, or both.

Someone just sent me a link to a video on YouTube that documents Iceland's withdraw from the coalition of the willing trying to keep a lid on things in Iraq. You can see the video HERE.

When people outside Iceland think of Icelandic cuisine, fermented shark is one food that often comes to mind first. Sure. Just like batter dipped, deep fried twinkies are a typical food in South Carolina.

Hakarl is considered surmat (fermented food - literally "sour food") as well as Thorramat - foods eaten in the month of Thor (roughly February on the Roman calendar). These sour fermented foods were famine foods - things that people didn't really want to eat, but they stored well, so they were set aside if other foods ran out towards the end of winter (and that was often the case).

I just stumbled across the Iceland Weather Report, which is an interesting blog about Iceland. It has been around for several years, with regular updates. It is well written, and gives some good insights into Icelandic culture and happenings. Icelandophiles should check it out.

Iceland has a state religion (Evangelical Lutheran/Protestant Christian). And close to 90% of the population are members of that church. But most Icelanders are not dogmatic when it comes to religion.

The second denomination in terms of members is the Roman Catholic church. Halldor Laxness, Iceland's Nobel Laureate in literature, was at one point a devout Roman Catholic. He went on to write Christianity Under Glacier, a book about a priest in a remote parish that was more concerned with fixing things and talking to people than with doctrine or ritual. And that is typical of most Icelander's opininions.

• Rás 1: The Government's original channel - news, talk, classical and Icelandic music. (Windows Media Player)
• Rás 2: The Government's modern channel - pop music, news. (Windows Media Player)
• Bylgjan: The Wave FM 98.9(Windows Media Player)
• Létt 96.7: Light 96.7 FM - Adult Contemporary (Windows Media Player)
• Útvarp Saga 2 (Windows Media Player)