UNA magazine, Iceland (Oct 2016)

Worldwide Friends Iceland Magazine

UNA

[ Special Edition ]

October 2016

Don’t scan it!

It’s fake !!

Editor’s Note

“Travel is to spread your life all over the world”

Table

of

Contents

/ Taxi driver wisdom /

Ana, Mexico

Suki, Hongkong

Lisa, R ussia

Jihyang, S.Korea

To perform this magazine we

Before visiting Iceland, all I

Autumn seems to be not the best

I think the best way to see the world is to

spoke with locals and tourists, so

know about this country is the

season for having some adventures

meet people from all around the world and

we obtained information about

most peaceful country and fa-

in your life. Nevertheless, I am

to learn how to understand those who have

new places and amazing land-

mous for the lamb hot dog. And

absolutely sure that I have had an

different points of views. I would say, as

scapes. In my opinion the best

it did not make me disappointed

absolutely amazing October this

a part of the team, participating in this

way to know a place is to follow

and very glad to join the WWF

year. The project of making the

workcamp was the most valuable experi-

in the footsteps of the local peo-

work camp for the magazine on

magazine in Reykjavik brought a

ence that I’ve ever had. Even if designing a

ple.

the part of Love & Peace. Hope

lot of unforgettable expierence:

magazine only in a few days wasn’t a easy

you can feel the same and love

being surrounded by the interna-

job, I could not only lots of interesting peo-

our works.

tional atmosphere and still have a

ple whom are volunteers, the locals, and

opportunity to learn more about

some of travelers, but also had a chace to

locals life and beautiful places in

learn their cultures. And looking around the

Iceland. Thanks to everyone!

attractive city, Reykjavik was a plus! Thank you for a wonderful time in Iceland!

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12-23

24-33

34-39

Funny facts

LOVE & PEACE

about Iceland

by ono yoko

Iceland is calling!

Workcamps in Iceland

+ ICELAnders are

+ war & PEACE

+ history of iceland

+ Workcamp in the farm

by ERRÓ

+ Interview with

big ICE-cream eaters!

a local lady

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Funny facts about Iceland

Funny Facts about Iceland / EDITOR / Ana Riego

How much do you know about Iceland?

Here are some facts you might want to know before you consider Iceland as your next destination !

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Funny facts about Iceland

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They have so many Funny facts about Iceland

flavours, but we can help you to choose,

the TOP 3 flavors : Danish Licorice, salted liquorice, salted peanut & caramel! we asked for

ICELAnders are big ICE-cream eaters! + Interview with the No.1 ice-cream shop in reykjavík “VALDi’s” / EDITOR / Ana Riego

No matter the time of year or the weather, there is always time for ice cream. Icelanders love ice cream anytime, anywhere, so following the spirit of true Icelanders, we went to visit one of the newest and trendiest homemade gelato (also the waffle cones are homemade) at the far end of the city’s old harbour side in Reykjavik.

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Valdi’s Opening hours 11:30-23:00 Grandagarður 21, Reykjavík 101, Iceland www.valdis.is

Funny facts about Iceland

Arriving to Valdis we met Gylfi Por Valdimarson, the owner, a busy but friendly icelandic man, he introduced us his coworkers so we were able to had an awesome interview and tasty time.

“I opened June 1, 2013. I make a brand new ice cream and dairy-free ice cream every morning. I have lots of friends on Facebook to help me get ideas of new flavors because is always nice to try something new.”

Valdís updates their chalkboard menu on a daily basis, and operates on a take-a-number system which they work through efficiently to satisfy the icecream fix of the masses, during summer season about 50 – 70 persons wait in the line just to have ice cream. It’s always busy but always worth the wait.

CUSTOMER’s COMMENTS “Generous portions and many delicious flavours.” - Isa. UK “It’s always quite busy during the summer nights, but definitely worth the wait.” - Robin H. UK “The only place to buy ice-cream on Iceland! And it’s open til very late.”- Maverijk. IS “Banana & Nutella, my favorite!.” - Luisa R. MEX

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Volunteering in Reykjavik.

First day of volunteering at the biggest event of the year in Iceland The most important thing to do in Iceland in October occurs on the 9th of October on the island of Videy. Videy is the largest island near the capital of Iceland and is also famous because “the father of Reykjavik” Skuli Magnusson built a church LOVE & PEACE

and a house there. Still let’s consider another site on this island, the newest one and one that is more related to the global issues of today. Walking through the island, you can find a tall white tower. It is the Imagine Peace Tower, a memorial to John Lennon, commissioned by his widow, Yoko Ono. The words you can find on the Tower are a reference to Lennon’s campaign for peace, and his song “Imagine”.

Since the Tower was built, every 9th of October - John Lennon’s Birthday - all the searchlights with prisms that act as mirrors, reflecting the column of the light vertically into the sky. We had an absolutely great

Imagine, you are here.. opportunity to look at “the switching Tower”, as the project started on 9th of October.

Standing all together, there were thousands people coming from all over the world. Standing there, we were all longing for peace in the world.

“Imagine all the people, living life in peace” John Lennon I hope that the Imagine Peace Tower will give light to the strong wishes for World Peace from all corners of the planet and will give encouragement, inspiration and a sense of solidarity to a world currently filled with fear and confusion.

“Let us come together to realize a peaceful

world” Yoko ono

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“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”

The tower has 9 lights and consisting 15 searchlights shining straight up to the sky.

If the sky is clear, you can see an altitude of at least 4000m until December 8, the date of his death each year. However, it changes all the time as the unique weather of Iceland, you can see the strength of the lighting different every night, depends on the air fluctuate and atmospheric conditions. It is using the geothermal energy LOVE & PEACE

Love story of JOHN LENNON &YOKO ONO Yoko Ono met John Lennon in 1966 at her own art exhibition in London, and they became a couple in 1968. They always use the publicity to promote world peace. During their honeymoon at the Hilton Amsterdam, they were using the hotel as a stage for public protests against the Vietnam War with their performance, Bed-Ins for Peace in 1969. The songs of John gave the people courage, hope, dream, you can also find from his songs “Give Peace

Yoko ono which is unique in Iceland and it became the main reason that Iceland was been chosen. It has been carved the words “Imagine Peace” into it in 24 languages. I feel warm to see 24 different languages on the tower and you can feel every people from different countries want peace. Many of them will know it is the memorial to John Lennon on his birthday. But some of the people may not know the love story behind the JOHN LENNON & YOKO ONO with their love and peace spirit.

Imagine PEACE TOWER

2016 in videyViðey Island

A Chance”, “Image”, “Happy Christmas, War is Over” of his political and peace activism. In 1980, John and Ono re-emerged for the new album Double Fantasy but were murdered three weeks after its release. In 2006, Yoko Ono worked with the City of Reykjavik, Reykjavik Art Museum and Reykjavik Energy and started the construction of Imagine Peace Tower.

On 9 Oct 2007 on John Lennon’s 67th birthday, Yoko said “This is the biggest birthday present I gave to John. He’s very, very happy about it, I know.”

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17 Su: Is it your first time to join this event?

He: No, we have joined 7 or 8 times from the first year.

Su: How you think about this imagine peace tower?

He: It’s definitely the honour of the Iceland.

Su: What will you do in the event?

He: There is the singer having a concert and the exhibition.

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Su: How was the first time when the lit of imagine peace tower?

He: All of our friends and family, all the people in Iceland came for this event for the first time.

NHeiddis & Jon

Su: Did you write on the wish tree?

from iceland

He: Oh, I wrote few times on the wish tree in previous years, but did not for this time. Maybe we will do it later.

LOVE & PEACE

2 Na: Yes, I will come here every year!

land? started to live in Iceland 3 years ago.

Su: It’s your first time

first time to join.

Su: Will

PEoPLE

is your wish?

Na: Haha, wish is supposed to be

that

to join this event?

from California, US

Su: Did you make a wish? And what

Na: I am from Barcelona and

Na: Yes, it’s my

Olivia

you come here again?

Su: How long have been in Ice-

a secret.

we’ve met at

Imagine PEACE TOWER

Su: How do you like living in Iceland?

Na: the life here is relax and no stress. It’s peace-

/ EDITOR∙Interviwer / suki

Su: It’s your first time to come to this event?

Olivia: Yes, it’s my first time to Iceland and joined this event?

Su: Did you write on the Wish tree?

Olivia: Yes, I hope my grandma will become better.

Su: You think your wish will come true?

Olivia: Yes, because it is a special tree.

Su: How you like Iceland?

Olivia: I love Blue Lagoon and the waterfall.

ful and healthy.

3 Nadine from Spain

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19 Icelandic songstress Soffía Björg hails from rural Borgarfjörður, a fjord just up north from the Reykjavik capital. The area is characterised by barren beauty; vast and unusually green fields are cut through with rocky belts and colossal mountains. And although the many waters of Borgarfjörður appear calm, the fjord has significant undercurrents and shallows. The music of Soffía Björg inherits the same traits, where ethereal heart tugging beauty is interspersed with roaring, aggressive emotionality.

Soffia Björg singer from iceland

LOVE & PEACE

I could have a chance to interview her after her performance in a small cafe near Imagine Peace Tower. Her voice was amazing and very impressive. During her concert, she said “ Most of the people will only remember 1 bad thing in their life, but forgot most of the good things happened.” She sang a song about this meaning and her words are around me for a while.

Soffía Björg’s debut album, where said musical palette is on display, was recorded in Iceland, at Studio Sundlaugin (‘The Swimming Pool’) a warm and atmospheric place. There she was accompanied by a crack team of fellow countrymen; guitar virtuoso Pétur Ben, drummer Kristofer Rodriquez and bassist extraordinaire Ingibjörg Elsa Turchi. At the production helm is Ben Hillier, who has worked with Blur, Elbow, Graham Coxon, Nadine Shah and Depeche Mode, to name but a few.

The results are lived-in and dramatic, as the music draws from americana, folk and her undeniable roots described in the opening paragraph. Soffía’s deeply resounding voice enhances the proceedings, as it clearly stems from an old, wise soul - completely transcending her age. Like a raw Norah Jones, Soffia Björg envelopes the listener with a warm embrace but at the same time there's trouble lurking just out of sight.

Debut album out soon.

Su: How many years have you been plyaing music?

Soffia: I've been playing guitar for 6 years and singing for 10 years.

Su: Is it your first time to join this event?

Soffia: Yes, I am from West Iceland and it was my first time being invited to have the performance here.

Su: How do you think about this event?

Soffia: There are so many bad things happened these days, we need this event, we need peace.

You can find her on her official facebook page @ SoffiaBjorgMusician

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Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhús / Harbor house Opening hours MON-SUN 10:00-17:00 Tryggvagata, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland artmuseum.is/hafnarhus

ONE MORE STORY...

LOVE & PEACE

by yoko ono Yoko Ono was working on a display with Reykjavik Art Museum to invite the women from all over the world, of all ages to send a testament of harm done to you for being a woman with a photograph of your eyes.

And this is an ongoing project and it’s possible to display the testaments.

Arising - An open call from Yoko Ono to women worldwide

Arising 2013/2016 Listen to your heart Respect your intuition Make your manifestation There’s no limitation Have courage Have a rage We’re all together Follow your heart Use your intuition Make your manifestation There’s no confusion Have courage Have rage We’re rising - y.o.

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Erró:

During the same period, there is another exhibition about PEACE from 7 October 2016 to 22 Jan 2017.

War & Peace

LOVE & PEACE

/ EDITOR / suki

Born in 1932 in Olafsvik, Iceland.

Lives and works between France and Spain

“Art must always make us laugh a little, must also make us fear a little. But what it must not do is bore us. Art does not have the right to be boring.” Erró

Chinese Paintings (New Jersey 1979, The gust of the wind 1979, The Clock 1974, The Dishwashing 1974)

Battle of Kyoto 1974 (Made in Japan)

As usual Erros used the American interior for his styles, and applied into the Chinese history of Mao. The “ New Jersey” was only the imagine of Erros that Mao brought all his comrades to the major cities of the West. But in reality, Mao only travelled once and attent the congress of the Communist International in Moscow.

This is the second surprised and impressive painting for me as an Asian. It’s the series of the “Made in Japan” which started in 1972. The upper part is the American comic strip from a war scene in 1950s, the bombs, the gunshots, army and bloodlust. The lower part is the old Japanese painting showing the sex without guilt, playful and sophisticated.

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Iceland is calling! / EDITOR / lisa

Iceland is calling!

Alone in Iceland you are alone indeed and the homeless, undisturbed wilderness gives something of is awful calm to the spirit. It was like listening to the music, yet perplexed and difficult to follow.

Miss Oswald

“Iceland is not a myth. It is a solid portion of the earth’s surface” Pliny MIles

Dyrhólaey >>> The small peninsula, is located on the south coast of Iceland, not far from the village Vík. It was formerly an island of volcanic origin, which is also known by the Icelandic word eyja meaning island.

REYNISHVERFI “Black sandy beaches”, located near Vík, which is the southernmost and biggest village with about 300 inhabitants along the south coast of Iceland. It is about 180 km (110 miles) south of Reykjavík.

Although we are living in the 21st century, meaning we can travel around the world and be interconnected with others, Iceland remains one of the most attractive and untouched places in the world.

A lot of tourists come every year to see for themselves the Icelandic way of life, the magnificent nature and the harmony that exists between nature and the people.

Everyone sees a country with their own perspective. We write about our Icelandic way of opening the new world.

Just let me introduce you to this little country: located in North Atlantic Ocean with a population of 330,000 people, Iceland has several unique points: glaciers and volcanoes, thousands of kilometers of inhabited space, long, straight roads, that you can travel along by car or bus, leading to nowhere. The wind follows you wherever you go, often with the rain and rarely with the sun.

Time stops when you are on the Icelandic roads.

Nothing is there. Endless landscapes, which constantly change between huge flat grey and green colored land and mountains, which appeared from time to time. Time stops here. Time is going to wait until you find human civilization.

You definitely would be amazed by the harmony that exists between the people and nature here.

Maybe at some point they realized that they have no power in this world: powerless in the face of the

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How did little Iceland, hidden in the sea, come about?

Jรณn Sigerdsson statue in Reykjavik city centre

Iceland is calling!

majestic greatness of nature. We can only serve it, protect it, appreciate it, no matter how well it treats us in return.

One local Icelandic girl said once: "There is no such thing as bad weather.

There are only bad clothes and bad attitudes. " The only way to live here happily is to accept the weather. It is not supposed to be better. Icelandic love ice. Try to keep this in mind: ice is more popular than hot drinks.

Because there is no bad weather at all.

As the country is so small, and the history is absolutely unique, the people are proud of their country, language and everything that they have here.

They admire Iceland, yet are still open to other cultures and they cultivate a multicultural environment: everyone

in Iceland speaks English and most of the people can speak a second foreign language as well. Again, I see a system of harmony at work, a system which brings a lot of benefits to the people: the world-famous tourist attractions work in harmony with the people's strong sense of national identity. * Here is a little history, to help us understand Iceland more clearly.

Well, thanks to sailor Flรณki Vilgerdarson, Iceland got its name, after he spotted some drift ice in the fjords during an especially hard winter.

It is worth noting also Ingรณlfur Arnarson, a man who is believed to have been the first Icelandic permanent settler in the year 874. Some people fol-

lowed him by the way to escape the heavy-handed rule of King Harold of Norway, and within approximately 60 years Iceland was fully populated.

One of the world's oldest nation-wide Parliaments was also established in Iceland, called Althingi.

With whom were Iceland connected?

Apparently Denmark, as they were connected to each other for 600 years, but in the 20th Century, due to the independence movement (thanks Jรณn Sigerdsson), Iceland became independent.

The easiest way to explore Iceland's history is by reading: old Viking sagas, legends and folklore. Do not forget that Literature is one of the greatest culture treasures of which Iceland can boast. Maybe because of the weath-

Ingรณlfur Arnarson statue in Reykjavik

er conditions: as it is mostly cold and windy, people spend more time inside and have time for creating and writing stories. ;) Iceland is small, but the amount of places to visit is overwhelming.

In our magazine we simply convey what we have seen. Subjective feelings can sometimes be wrong, but when you are living in the county, you always tend to feel the sense of the living place, the sense of the country you are in.

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Meet a local Icelandic lady,

-

Interview with Carina / EDITOR∙Interviwer / lisa

3. If I want to cook something, being in Iceland, what should I cook to be like the local one? " Dayfresh fish, haddock, turn the fish in flour, egg and breadcrums, and fry on a pan!"

4. Please tell me the best Icelandic joke!

"This is not an Icelandic joke, but an tourist one! What do you do if you get lost in an Icelandic forest?? Stand up!!"

Iceland is calling!

5. What is the most beautiful place in Iceland?

"Here are so many beautiful places, this is a difficult one! For a long time I thought Svartifoss in Skaftafell. I also love the South coast of Snæfellsnes and Ásbirgi that has a wonderful nature and often nice weather!" warm in woolen clothes and waterproof!"

6. Now about traveling! As lots of European people love traveling, what is the most popular travel destination in Iceland?

1. What does it mean, to be Icelandic? Tell me your opinion!

"For me as a Finn that has lived here for 27 years, I asked for Icelandic citizenship for just 2 years ago. As I get most rights here as a Finn also. But now I´m actually also an Icelander by papers and can vote also for President an Parlament" 2. How to survive in Icelandic winter? " Take Icelandic fish oil to get A and D vitamins, as the sun do not shine!

Dress " Take Icelandic fish oil to get A and D vitamins, as the sun do not shine! Dress warm in woolen clothes and waterproof!"

"I guess Spain, Teneriffe is popular just now, because of the sun. Copenhagen many go to visit friends and family that lives there when studying. Boston is popular by women to go Christmas shopping a weekend together this time a year."

7. If I want to know more about Icelandic literature, what should I read first?

"Maybe first a criminal, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir books is translates to many languages. Then Halldór Laxness the Nobel prize winner..."

8. The last question: Tell me a phrase in Icelandic! What would be my first phrase to learn? " I always teach people: Ég elska þig! = I love You! That opens all doors!"

30 Beautiful places, magnificent views, spectacular landscapes, unforgettable feelings

Golden Cirlce tour is one of the

Iceland is calling!

most common visiting tours in Iceland.

Located near the capital, you can observe some of Iceland’s stunning sights, looking at the historical and geological wonder. Before doing this, let us give you a small overview to create an historical background of these absolutely unique and popular places in Iceland.

MUST-VISIT PLACES IN ICELAND The second destination

of the Golden circle is the waterfall Gullfoss.

Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The average amount of water running down the waterfall is 140 cubic metres per second.

The highest flood measured was 2,000 cubic metres per second. Looking at the waterfall you may imagine as the river simply vanishes into the earth. A lot of songs and literature works were written while being inspired by that world’s treasure, located in Iceland.

The last visiting point of

The first lace you might visit is a national park Thingvellir {Icelandic: Þingvellir}.

Why is that place so significant in the history of Iceland? It contains geological importance because it lies in a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Apart from that, you should not forget about the historical importance: The Althing, the national parliament of Iceland, was established at Þingvellir in 930, and held its sessions there until 1798. Þingvellir National Park became a World Heritage Site in 2004.

the Golden Circle is the crater Kerið. It is a volcanic crater lake located in the Grímsnes area in south Iceland, It is one of several crater lakes in the area, known as Iceland's Western Volcanic Zone, which includes the Reykjanes peninsula and the Langjökull Glacier, created as the land moved over a localized hotspot.

It is oval, about 270 m long, 170 m wide and 55 m deep, the depth of the water at the bottom varies between 7 and 14 m.

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32 Seljalandsfoss

is one of the best known waterfalls in Iceland. Seljalandsfoss is located in the South Region in Iceland.

WANT TO SEE MORE?

Iceland is calling!

Skógafoss is a waterfall situated on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline

Fimmvörðuháls is the area between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull in southern Iceland.

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34 about Iceland

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Worldwide Friends Workcamps in Iceland

Sustainable living in Reykjavik and WF farm / EDITOR∙Interviwer / lisa

We visited a renovation project from WF Iceland located in a farm and spent a wonderful 2-day-stay with an amazing volunteers there.

"Outdoor activities in Iceland can be quite difficult to imagine because the weather sometimes prevents you from doing things outside. It is still good to come to Iceland to take part in a renovation project: building houses, feeding chickens, being closer to nature. But it is more than simply working on a farm, as you need to work together in an international team, which helps you to improve your team-building skills, your ability to deal with difficulties. It also means that you get to enjoy the multicultural atmosphere of living altogether in one house.

We were happy to be part of that team for one evening, as everyone prepared their own national dish and made the evening meeting more internationally-orientated.

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Volunteers interview

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With chickens!

Oh, yeah! me!!

[ workcamp in wf farm ]

Madeline Nason, Canada Jasmin, Germany

Worldwide Friends Workcamps in Iceland

Camp leader Adriana Sanz, Spain "I have already been to Iceland before but, with the opportunity to stay longer, I decided to go to Iceland again. I have already taken part in a couple of projects as a camp leader here. It is interesting because you are staying in the same place and can see that everything is about people: people create the story, not the place. I have already worked with more than 100 people and there is always something new to experience. It is difficult, sometimes exhausting, but nevertheless rewarding and it helps you to learn about yourself. And it is always hard to say goodbye"

Julien Adam, Belgium

Pierre, France

I decided to come here because I had just graduated with my masters and so I had some more time for traveling . I like being outside and working as part of a team, especially if it is in order to build something.

So I am glad that I came to Iceland. The landscapes are magnificent, the people are friendly, the excursions were absolutely exiting and we also had luck with accommodation. Time is going so fast here.

"Iceland was a good decision for me because I was looking for a destination where I could do two volunteering projects. Working outside and taking care of the garden is okay for me, you also can visit a country which seems pretty interesting for me. It is difficult to say what was the best part of the workcamp. I also learned a lot about myself, things like conflict-management and team-working experience."

Wendy, France

Soyeon Bak, South Korea "The main reason why I came here was to experience Iceland and meet new people from all over the world. Iceland is just magical, beautiful and unreal. Anyway, my best moments were when I was with everybody in our house."

I chose this workcamp because you can get lots of experience in building a greenhouse and also it is a good opportunity to discover the country and its landscapes. I really enjoyed staying here, getting to know more about new cultures, going on excursions and having a lot of fun together. "

"Iceland attracted me because of its amazing nature and I also think that participating in workcamps is a good to not travel alone.

You meet cool people, go on excursions, and also work a lot. Of course, you have to be open-minded to become friends with everybody"

Going to Iceland was like going to my dream county, and the main reason why I went to the workcamp was out of my passion to meet new people. Now I am taking a break with studying and I thing that when you are 20 it is the best time to think about your life and to think about what you are going to do next. There were some troubles with my first workcamp so I came to this one.

And I have to say that it was amazing. From a bad beginning to a happy ending!"

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Worldwide Friends Workcamps in Iceland

Thank you for all of your help and cooperation to contribute to this magazine.

Worldwide Friends, Veraldarvinir, Hverfisgata 88, 101, Reykjaví­k, Iceland, wf@wf.is. +354 8682324