88 Stories Around Iceland: Skin Lotion

In 88 Stories Around Iceland, writer Ármann Reynisson offers his readers a unique glimpse into Icelandic society and the past. His stories cover a variety of topics set in the countryside and the towns alike, exploring the country's people, animals and natural wonders.

Ármann Reynisson, well known in Iceland for his "vignettes", has kindly permitted Iceland Monitor to publish a couple three of his stories, the first "Breiðafjörður," appearing a fortnight ago.

Reynisson has also published 88 Stories Around Reykjavik in the same series. English translation: Martin S.Regal. The books are available in most major bookstores in Iceland and at Keflavik International Airport.

Skin lotion

On Midsummer’s Day sailing into Eyjafjörður, which is at its most beautiful, the seafarer soon catches a glimpse of the island of Hrísey, a blissful oasis of greenery with a few houses to the South. The high mountains are so close to each other on either side of the fjord that the surrounding nature caresses the island with all its might and subtle rays of light flood across the fjord depending on the time of day. The island is a gem, which prides itself on its assortment of vegetation and distinctive birdlife, which thrives in the smallest of areas. In these parts, there is a powerful energy source, which has an impact on those who live and work there. For those who feel this energy, they have a strong sense of who they are and because of this, they delve deeper into their own minds and it allows them to release their creativity. And in this delightful area, four types of natural skin cream are produced, which nourish and heal the skin from various conditions and give it a fresh glow. The difference between each of these four creams lies in the base ingredient used: sheep fat, mink fat, reindeer fat or Angelica root, as well as an array of other natural ingredients.

The adventure begins in Þorlákshöfn when a sensitive traveller finds his way by chance to an old woman’s house where he is offered coffee and snacks, which are waiting on the kitchen table when he arrives as the woman foresees that a guest will be visiting her that day. After a long chat, the old lady gives the visitor a recipe for a cream that has been handed down through the generations and which nobody wants to use anymore. The formula sparks an epiphany in Aðalsteinn who improves the recipe in his own way so that it becomes a quality product, which helps many people with their skin ailments.

The multi-talented artist Aðalsteinn Bergdal is raised in Akureyri before the middle of the twentieth century. At about ten years of age, he begins playing the drums, which leads him to join a pop band and later, he turns his hand to singing. Eventually the young man turns to acting, which becomes an important part of his life thereafter, aside from his main job as an electrician. Two years before he turns thirty, the actor is suddenly taken ill but he recovers in due course. As a result of the illness, he develops an interest in studying medical matters. To make more time for his new hobby, his passion takes him to Hrísey. He throws himself into playwriting and becomes a fisherman in his spare time as well as producing the skin cream. Aðalsteinn wishes to distribute these natural products to his fellow countrymen and open their eyes to taking responsibility for their own health.