Brauð

I am sure I am not saying anything that American tourists would not notice their first morning in any of the Scandinavian countries: the open faced sandwich phenomena. Where is one supposed to put one´s fingers while eating such a meal? On the slimy meat? On the greasy cheese? And the funny thing is, Scandinavians just call it "brauð" as if there was not so much stuff piled on top of it that the bread is either almost falling apart of unrecognizable as such. I am sure it is terribly American of me, but I really do prefer a nice normal sandwich, two pieces of bread neatly containing all the stuff inside. Or if I am to eat one open-faced, the bread needs to be toasted rather crispy so it can handle all the toppings.  

Comments

Iris said…
This is actually how we eat our bread, too. At least we call it "belegtes Brot", i.e. Bread with topping. But since German bread has a CRUST (I know something unheard of for Americans ;-), there is no issue where to hold it, just put your fingers on the side.
Let's skype soon. I miss you!
February 26, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Thordis said…
I think what you are talking about is the Scandinavian "smorrebrod" which is not really Icelandic. You get them at the restaurant "Scandinavia" on laugarvegur and a few others for instance. The trick is to use a knive and a fork :)

Some Icelanders do eat open-faced bread but the only ones I have seen have one slice of hangikjöt on it or something. But I would eat all USA sandwiches with a knive and a fork.... and got plenty stared at while doing it :) :)

Hope things are good and that you are getting ready for CA. Hopefully the dinner will be planned at one of those places when you get back.
February 26, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dett í, ofan á, úr, út

I´m not sure if someone had dett í (gotten drunk), or if það bara dett ofan á (it just sort of happened), or if some dett úr (forgot), but at any rate, my household goods dett út (have disappeared). Let's review the chronology here. Early August packers from the shipping company arrive at the apartment in Moraga. They load my 4 large plastic containers and 8 cardboard boxes, plus one baby crib, into their truck. I watch my things depart. In September, I ask the friendly girl (Magie is her name) if she happens to know when I might expect my stuff. Late September she tells me. I am most impressed. Extremely so. Mid October rolls around, and I have not gotten a call. And it occurs to me that I am going to be traveling through November. Hmm. So I call again. Well, yes, she tells me, looks like your shipment should arrive on the 31st of October. Now here I admit that maybe I was a little lacks. I had a lot to do before my trip, and so when they did not call me, I did not follow ...
Read more

Cultural tourism in Iceland

I just finished writing a chapter of my dissertation, which resulted in a much larger discussion of cultural tourism in Iceland than I had intended. But the fact is, this is an issue I have been extremely interested and concerned about for at least 15 years, if not 20. I have never, ever liked the way Iceland is marketed to tourists in the U.S. Everything from the unspoiled nature to the crazy city life in Reykavik. It has always left the part of Iceland I loved--the simple joy of being in a relaxing and lovely place with my family--completely out of the picture. In 2001, I went to Hvollsvöllur to examine the Saga Centre as part of a study commissioned by the National Park's service to look into cultural landscapes as heritage tourism. I thought that endeavor might represent a change in how Iceland was presented to tourists. But in the last 10 years, and especially while working at Vikingaheimar, and at meetings with the Saga Trails Association, I came to see just how completel...
Read more

On Icelandic doctors

My friends and family here in Iceland were very enthusiastic about me going to the krabbameinsfélag for an exam. I was really impressed how easy it was to get an appointment--booked online even! And when I got there this afternoon, the efficiency continued: they have a well oiled operation in place there, all very organized with computers asking questions and keyed lockers to keep one's personal belongings in. Then when it came time to see the doctor, well, that lasted all of 2 minutes. And I paid 3420 kroner. So I was overall a little disappointed. When I mentioned to the front desk clerks that I was wondering if it was possible to actually get an appointment where I could speak to a doctor, I was given a variety of phone numbers. None of the ones I called had appointments within the next 6 weeks. In the United States, when I want a doctor's appointment, I can usually get it within a week of calling, though sometimes I have had to wait 10 days or so. The highest co-pay I hav...
Read more