The Ways of the Icelandic Nightlife

Let me just preface this by saying that the Icelanders sure know how to have a good time. They are, by far, the craziest partiers I have ever encountered.

At home, we tend to begin our fun (and debauchery, if one is so inclined) around 8 or 9 (maybe 11 at the very latest) and generally only go until about 1 or 2. But not here. No. The party doesn´t even start until 2 and continues well into the early hours of the morning. Sure you´ll see people out drinking before that, but trust me, they´re just getting ready to begin. The stumble out of the bars and clubs around 5 or 6, donning sunglasses, and head off to work......actually, that last part may not be entirely true, as things often don´t open around here until 11 or 12, which is probably because they are still trying to sleep off the booze they had imbibed the night (morning?) before.

I have a couple of theories for this outlandish behavior.

Theory #1: Since there is so little sun in the winter time, the Icelandic people spend almost all of their time inside sleeping and staying warm. In doing so, they begin to store up (what we will call) ''energy units.'' These ''energy units'' accumulate until there is no more room for them, and if not soon released will explode, sending the poor Icelander into oblivion. Luckily, though, it is just about this time (when they don´t think they can hold any more in) that summer arrives and though the sun does set below the horizon, it never gets much darker than dusk. And because it never gets dark, there is nothing to indicate that it is actual night time and, perhaps, one should think about going to bed. Thus, the Icelanders stay up all day and ''night'' (only taking naps when absolutely necessary) until all of their ''energy units'' have been completely depleted..........and when they have run out and don´t think they can go on for another minute, winter hits, and they go into hibernation mode and this crazy circle of the two day\night extremes begins again.

Theory #2: Because things (most of all alcohol) are so expensive here, the Icelanders can only afford to go out once a week. So, in order to make the most of it, they choose to either go out Friday or Saturday night (which ever has the most going on that particular weekend) and make the most of it by staying out with their friends as long as they can last.

Whatever the reason, the nightlife here doesn´t compare to any I have seen anywhere else, and though I have found it slightly difficult to keep up, it´s been an experience to try. So grab a beer and party on.

Skál.