Words by

Nanna Árnadóttir

@nannaarnadottir

Photo by

RMM

Dear Nanna,

What’s the coolest souvenir I can buy in Iceland?

Best,

Future Shopper

Dear Future Shopper,

Anything in the shape of Iceland, that has the shape of Iceland painted on it or has the word “Iceland” written on it so you definitely don’t forget that you were in Iceland that one time and no one who looks at your souvenir thinks you may have gone to Denmark instead.

Nanna

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Hi Nanna,

I just got a drone from my girlfriend and am keen to use it on our roadtrip through Iceland in August. Are there any rules I should be aware of? 

Best, 

Drone

Dear Drone,

I’m impressed you think Iceland’s parliament is on top of their shit enough to even think about drones.

But alas they probably won’t get around to a drone regulation bill until drones have become obselete and everyone’s using tiny bee-shaped nano-bots that upload directly into a chip in your brain.

Fly my pretty, fly!

Nanna

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Dear Nanna, 

My sister is breaking up with her boyfriend of a few years. The family has always really loved him and he’s a really nice guy. But now my sister is saying that he was abusive and that’s why she’s broken up with him.

I’ll be honest I’ve never seen any evidence of abuse, none of us have. We were all really surprised actually and she does exaggerate things sometimes. Anyway, I’m wondering if I have to stop hanging out with [her now-ex boyfriend] because they broke up? Just because she dumped him doesn’t mean the whole family should right? Him and my brother have become really close for example. 

Best, 

Sister Sister

Dear Sister Sister,

Whatever you do don’t buy a word your sister tells you. I don’t know what you’ve heard about believing abuse survivors when they speak up but it can really hurt the alleged abuser’s feelings.

In my experience people always act the same when they are in public as they do when they are in private but even if they didn’t do that I’m sure your sister’s ex would beat up or verbally abuse your sister in front of you, just so you could both be sure your sister wouldn’t exaggerate it later.

My advice to you is to cut your ties with your sister. I mean, who’s gonna love her now? Not you, clearly.

Best,

Nanna

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Because this needs to be said. On an all-jokes-aside note, if you or someone you know needs help escaping domestic abuse in Iceland, contact Iceland’s Women’s Shelter (Kvennaathvarfið). They have a hotline and offer counselling. Tel: 561 1205.