How was your first impression of Iceland?
Smutty: “My first ever visit to Iceland was after Kate and myself had been cohabitating for a period of time. We were to attend a family wedding. I distinctly remember the view from the airplane window during our descent into Keflavik International Airport. Looking at the rock formations and the different texture and hues, one would have thought we had landed on Mars. Vast lava fields stretched out into the horizon and steam funnels spewed up from the belly of Earth itself!
„After the wedding and family obligations Kate and I headed down-town to party. At first glance, especially after a few beers and wine, I wasn’t sure how and when we arrived at our first destination. It was called Bar 11. Upon entering I immediately notice the distinct influence of Americana. The walls, ceilings and just about every available space was covered in pictures and posters of the classics: Elvis, James Dean and Rolling Stones. I was starting to feel at ease on discovering this little gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Do you think there is much cultural difference between the UK and Iceland?
Katrín: “I do think there is a difference between the two countries, culturally the UK has so much tradition around the monarchy and a huge selection of people from all over the world. Iceland being so isolated and fairly new still has few immigrants compared to other nations. The similarities are mainly within the Celtic and Viking influences with Scotland and Ireland.
This was a land that time forgot, sparsely populated and vast areas of uninhabitable frozen lava tundra, glaciers and not forgetting the very active volcanos!”
How did you adapt?
Smutty: “After the move to Iceland I had to get used to so many changes all at once! Like the fact that it´s very dark and gloomy most of the winter and completely the opposite in the summer. I had never experienced twenty-four-hour daylight in my life. Let alone looking up in winter and seeing the Northern lights. This was a land that time forgot, sparsely populated and vast areas of uninhabitable frozen lava tundra, glaciers and not forgetting the very active volcanoes!”
Are there any pros/cons being in a “multicultural” relationship?
Katrín: “The pros are traveling with the family to Smutty´s home and seeing how the boys react to the different culture. I really want for them to be aware of culture outside of Iceland.”
What language do you speak at home?
Katrín: “I only speak Iceland to my boys and English to Smutty.”
What’s the best thing about living in Iceland?
Smutty: “I clearly remember my first fishing trips; Armed with maps and fly-fishing gear I set off to some small stream or river, sat on a sandy bank watching small brown trout rise so freely to emerge aquatic insects as I poured a hot cup of piping hot English tea! It was pure bliss and heaven to me. “I had found a country I could live in, no problem. I felt a solid connection with this fisherman’s paradise. I had travelled far and wide, but in all my years exploring nature and fishing had I yet to find a place to reflect on the day, or ponder one´s future, without any sound or interruption of any kind. But here it was. This was indeed a place that I could spend the rest of my day´s in.
“Icelandic culture is very different from us Brits, who can be overly apologetic and swamped in hundreds of years of the monarchy, coupled with a segregated class labelled system. I found it refreshing to be away from the English snobbery. I have now been living here for five years. And in those five years I have managed to accomplish unmeasurable achievements compared to what I could have done back home. I have had a popular vintage store down-town, as well as two recorded bands. I have been featured on national television and magazine covers. Now I am currently a DJ on radio station X97.7 with two popular shows. Iceland has a lot to offer if you’re willing to work for it. I might be a big fish in a small pond, but right now I am enjoying being that Fish!”
Englishman Smutty Smiff, a rockabilly bassist who played in the “Rockats”, and his wife Katrín Rósa Stefánsdóttir met in a pub in Camden Town in London. They now live in Reykjavík with their two young sons.
How was your first impression of Iceland?
Smutty: “My first ever visit to Iceland was after Kate and myself had been cohabitating for a period of time. We were to attend a family wedding. I distinctly remember the view from the airplane window during our descent into Keflavik International Airport. Looking at the rock formations and the different texture and hues, one would have thought we had landed on Mars. Vast lava fields stretched out into the horizon and steam funnels spewed up from the belly of Earth itself!
„After the wedding and family obligations Kate and I headed down-town to party. At first glance, especially after a few beers and wine, I wasn’t sure how and when we arrived at our first destination. It was called Bar 11. Upon entering I immediately notice the distinct influence of Americana. The walls, ceilings and just about every available space was covered in pictures and posters of the classics: Elvis, James Dean and Rolling Stones. I was starting to feel at ease on discovering this little gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Do you think there is much cultural difference between the UK and Iceland?
Katrín: “I do think there is a difference between the two countries, culturally the UK has so much tradition around the monarchy and a huge selection of people from all over the world. Iceland being so isolated and fairly new still has few immigrants compared to other nations. The similarities are mainly within the Celtic and Viking influences with Scotland and Ireland.
This was a land that time forgot, sparsely populated and vast areas of uninhabitable frozen lava tundra, glaciers and not forgetting the very active volcanos!”
How did you adapt?
Smutty: “After the move to Iceland I had to get used to so many changes all at once! Like the fact that it´s very dark and gloomy most of the winter and completely the opposite in the summer. I had never experienced twenty-four-hour daylight in my life. Let alone looking up in winter and seeing the Northern lights. This was a land that time forgot, sparsely populated and vast areas of uninhabitable frozen lava tundra, glaciers and not forgetting the very active volcanoes!”
Are there any pros/cons being in a “multicultural” relationship?
Katrín: “The pros are traveling with the family to Smutty´s home and seeing how the boys react to the different culture. I really want for them to be aware of culture outside of Iceland.”
What language do you speak at home?
Katrín: “I only speak Iceland to my boys and English to Smutty.”
What’s the best thing about living in Iceland?
Smutty: “I clearly remember my first fishing trips; Armed with maps and fly-fishing gear I set off to some small stream or river, sat on a sandy bank watching small brown trout rise so freely to emerge aquatic insects as I poured a hot cup of piping hot English tea! It was pure bliss and heaven to me. “I had found a country I could live in, no problem. I felt a solid connection with this fisherman’s paradise. I had travelled far and wide, but in all my years exploring nature and fishing had I yet to find a place to reflect on the day, or ponder one´s future, without any sound or interruption of any kind. But here it was. This was indeed a place that I could spend the rest of my day´s in.
“Icelandic culture is very different from us Brits, who can be overly apologetic and swamped in hundreds of years of the monarchy, coupled with a segregated class labelled system. I found it refreshing to be away from the English snobbery. I have now been living here for five years. And in those five years I have managed to accomplish unmeasurable achievements compared to what I could have done back home. I have had a popular vintage store down-town, as well as two recorded bands. I have been featured on national television and magazine covers. Now I am currently a DJ on radio station X97.7 with two popular shows. Iceland has a lot to offer if you’re willing to work for it. I might be a big fish in a small pond, but right now I am enjoying being that Fish!”
