karmatornado said:

you can buy those in the U.S.!

Anx said:

If you've already done traveler's checks, then when you get there, shop around. (I always just do ATM these days, as it's usually the best rates.) Iceland may be different, I guess, but your best exchange rates and fees are usually at banks, not money exchange places. Look up tips for exchanging money in Iceland. (I think Darin's little book even had some. ) It may be worth exchanging a bit before you go so you can get the best rate here so you have some cash on hand when you get there and don't HAVE to use the first place you find.

Anx said:

If I were you, I'd change the majority of your $$ before you go. The banks probably don't keep enough Islandic cash on hand, so they may have to have it transported. You might want to go to the bank this week to make sure you have it in time.

Anx said:

You should probably just stay home.

HereToRockYourWorld said:

HereToRockYourWorld said:

pack ear plugs!

I can't believe the time is almost here. So cool.

Hi Anx.... the resident Icelandic orger is here to take your questions

I don't know how widely traveller's cheques are accepted in stores here, but there was one website from the Icelandic Tourist Board, that said the following: "Traveller’s cheques are widely accepted in Iceland. "... I can't confirm this myself and I know that a lot of the info on that site is outdated (from '97 or '98) but here's one website (also from the Icelandic Tourist Board) that is fairly recent and it has some rather accurate info: http://www.icelandtourist...m/faq.html

The current exchange rate is 66 kr. for one US$, but this can change a bit in the next few weeks, so be prepared for that. I saw on a website for a leading foreign exchange bank (FOREX) in Iceland that the exchange rate there when they buy traveller's cheques is 65 kr. per dollar + they charge 150 kr. (2.25US$) for the conversion. I checked out one bank's website (National Bank of Iceland) and according to their price list they don't charge you when they buy traveller's cheques.

All I can say is follow the restrictions that are given by the airport security because some of those ppl go above and beyond to sniff out the bad stuff.
I found out the hard way...
Also - be prepared to answer and million questions about why you are there in that country- and every detail of what you will be doing while you are there. I was not prepared for that..

Have a great time and like I said before take lots of pics..

Have some Þorramatur for me Anx!!!

purplehippieonthe1 said:

your resources always overwhelm me.

not that i'm complaining! thank you thank you thank you!

i've been trying to see if there are any music calendars online that go into mid-march, and i've also been curious about the weather out there recently (which i hear hasn't been so bad, no? yes?) but my lazy butt can do a little googling and figure out the weather thing.

most importantly, will you be up for some drinkin' and wrecka stow browsing in a few weekends? (not necessarily in that order)

Don't forget your map...unlike Matt, we don't want you to wander off and get lost.

by the way, the weather in iceland right now is JUST LIKE the weather in chicago right now.

Anx said:

Thank GOD I don't have to deal with Chicago winters anymore... I will take Seattle rain anyday...However, when it does snow here...and it did in the past months...the city shuts the fuck down over a little dusting of snow...but hey what can you expect from a city that only owns 12 snow plows and a population of 573,911 some people that need to get to places.
[Edited 2/19/07 17:50pm]

mostbeautifulgrlntheworld said:

it actually warmed up today! mid-40s, baby!

i hear rumblings that we're supposed to go into the 50s this weekend. i can't even remember what that feels like, going outside and not feeling punished.

fantasyislander said:

YUM!

Try the sheep faces when you are there Anx

ZombieKitten said:

unless the outside window says VEGAN in great big, bold, underlined letters, i will NOT be sampling icelandic delicacies.

Anx said:

they don't HAVE vegetables there! it's volcanic!

ZombieKitten said:

oh, they do too.

Anx said:

just teasin ya

Anx ~ I am SOOOOO envious. If you see Bjork tell her Nikki and Nathan say hey. When she looks at you weird just start mumbling about crystal flutes and seashells and Chicago House of Blues and the freight elevator and she'll understand.
You are going to have the most fabulicious amazing time. It's the trip of my dreams!!!

are you going to see the aurora borealis?



that would be so cool. i would love to see it.

Stax said:

but you don't have to go to Iceland to see it.

Stax said:

That is number 1 on my list.... I cannot imagine the beauty.... followed by fireflys.... I want to see a jillion fireflys flying about in the night....

Stax said:

hiya just pack your suitcase
i'll be waiting to show you all the sights

i saw glimmers of purple lights one time
and summer before last the whole sky looked like it was a green satin scarf shimmering...



but anx i am very envious of the whole volcanic mineral spa thing... and of course purplehippie! we demand a hole photo trip diary!

emm said:

i want to see it.

Stax said:

I've seen it in California.

heartbeatocean said:

i am aware that the phenomenon is not exclusive to iceland.

heartbeatocean said:

where?
[Edited 2/19/07 23:22pm]