Iceland has its share of radio and television stations. Many of the latter come through cable from both the US and Europe. You can get various packages all the way from basic to several hundred channels, and all packages involve Internet access. I believe that per capita Icelanders have the highest amount of home Internet connections in the world, almost 100%. Nice part is that if I run into a technical problem, there are a number of younger people at work to consult.

There’s a storm a-brewing here with the upcoming confirmations by the Lutheran church. It has to do with a large (native) chain of clothing stores advertising clothes for the youngster getting confirmed. In other words, the store has been sending flyers to households with a girl in a rather sexually explicit position with skimpy clothes for the event. Earlier I noted that confirmation is a rite-of-passage in Iceland which has become commercialized. No one pays attention to its meaning, just who can throw the biggest party and get the most gifts. As for parties, the highest goal one can achieve is to have it at the Hotel Borg, Iceland’s oldest hotel, quite small yet considered the best.

Earlier I reported that a Lutheran priest publicly called for the National Church of Iceland to join the Catholic Church. Dropped like a hot potato, not because of the subject but because people simply aren’t interested. At least that’s what I have picked up this past week. On the larger scale of things, this indifference to things religious is everywhere and can be worse than any outright persecution. Nothing new, of course, but interesting to see from the Icelandic perspective.

Not even the slightest breeze at 8am, a very special atmosphere reminiscent of what you’d find in a monastery or church. I just noted indifference concerning religion…on the other hand, Icelanders are very sensitive to this natural quietude and seek refuge in it as much as they can. They’re fond of taking long walks and extended trips into the countryside.