—
As we all know, Iceland is currently in the midst of the worst summer ever recorded. But in the last week, spirits were raised as uncharacteristically good weather hit the city with a bang, boosting morale and bringing some much needed Vitamin D to the pale residents of Reykjavík. Temperatures reached highs of 14°C, with clear skies overhead and all were out and about enjoying what might very well be the last semi-ok day until next year.
And while we were being sent good weather, the midwives’ tale finally ended. After more than 30 midwives resigned last month in response to the government’s refusal to raise their wages, women and men from all around Iceland came together this week in a social media campaign called #égstyðljósmæður, which translates to #ISupportMidwives. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, Icelanders shared how midwives had helped them through pregnancy, birth, and aftercare. These powerful posts described how midwives had saved their babies in difficult births, taught them how to breastfeed, and recognised signs of postpartum depression. On the 24th, the Midwives’ Union finally made an agreement with the hospitals. While not all were happy about the compromise, it did include a raise in wages as well as a cancellation of the ban on overtime work. We stand behind you, midwives. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum!
Farewell, sweet mail
The face of downtown Reykjavík will soon change irrevocably, as the beloved post office on Pósthússtræti (‘post office road’) is closing its doors. The post office has been in use for 150 years and is the oldest in the country. In a public statement, Íslandspóstur said that due to the boom in tourism, the facility is now too small to service both local residents and travellers. They also added that with all the construction being done downtown, it’s become difficult for shipments to come and go in a timely manner. A new building is currently in construction just outside the city centre.
So, to the despair of many Reykjavík residents, Pósthússtræti will now join the ranks of other streets—like Bankastræti (‘bank street’), Spítalastígur (‘hospital street’), and Lækjargata (‘creek road’)— named after structures that have long since left.
Welcome, jungle
But as one building left, an entire city of paradise sprung up in Laugardalur Arena as Guns N’ Roses arrived for their debut Icelandic show on July 24th. The concert—the last stop on the band’s summer reunion tour—was the largest ever production seen in Iceland. More than 15,000 people were estimated to attend, which, for Guns N’ Roses, might seem like an intimate affair, but for Reykjavík it’s positively bonkers. It was, if you’re into that kind of music, said to be a show-stopping performance.
Fun fact: The last Guns N’ Roses tour made almost 500m USD. The GDP of Iceland is only 40 times that.
—
This post was originally published on the Reykjavik Grapevine, and is republished here with the author’s permission.
—
◊♦◊
What’s your take on what you just read? Comment below or write a response and submit to us your own point of view at the red box, below, which links to our submissions portal.
◊♦◊
Are you a first-time contributor to The Good Men Project? Submit here:
◊♦◊
Have you contributed before and have a Submittable account? Use our Quick Submit link here:
◊♦◊
Do you have previously published work that you would like to syndicate on The Good Men Project? Click here:
◊♦◊
Got Writer’s Block?
Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.
♦◊♦
We are a participatory media company. Join us.
Participate with the rest of the world, with the things you write and the things you say, and help co-create the world you want to live in.
If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member, today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all-access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class, and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group, and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.