Remember when there was that fuss about a road or a prison or something that couldn't be built because the local Maori believed a taniwha lived there? Well, it's not just us. Iceland is even nuttier.
This town, a port on the outskirts of Reykjavik, prides itself on its unusually high elf population. Tourists are invited to tour the known elf locations, including a large rock whose reputation as an elf habitat meant that a nearby road was diverted some years ago so as not to disturb its unseen residents.
Recently, the planning committee considered a resident's application to build a garage. "One member said, 'I hope it's O.K. with the elves,' " Ms. Erlingsdottir related. Should the council determine that it is, in fact, not O.K. - usually this happens when a local mystic hears from the elf population, directly or through a vision - the town would consider moving the project, or getting the mystic to ask the elves to move away, she said.
Such occurrences are not unusual. In nearby Kopavogur, a section of Elfhill Road was narrowed from two lanes to one in the 1970's, when repeated efforts to destroy a large rock that was believed to house elves were thwarted by equipment breakdowns. The rock is still there, jutting awkwardly into the road, but it is unclear whether the tenants are. - nytimes.com
Things I'd Like To Do When I'm 80
"What a life I've had! What an extraordinary life! Just three blocks from here I used to shine shoes in front of the St. Regis. There I was and here I go."
And he sauntered out to the limo. - nytimes.com, on Tony Curtis
Finally, A Stupidity Tax For Banks
Bank Loses $7 Million On A Mystery Man - from the Sydney Morning Herald
Phrases For Diplomats
... to possibly avoid: Australians, she said, from the "great and good of your land to the humblest", had responded with such warmth. - smh.com.au
Um. I wonder if you could ask her to point out the 'great and good' and the 'humblest' Aussie on her flight to Canberra.
"Well, it's not just us. Iceland is even nuttier"
Whilst I do agree that stopping that road because of the taniwha might have been taking it a bit far, I do also think there's a terrible double standard in NZ where we are happy to use Maori culture to set us apart on the world stage (eg, Kapa Haka being used extensively, Maori greetings, the AB's using the Haka) and then on the other hand, at home we redicule maori culture as being insignificant and not worthwhile. There is also a huge amount of mis-reporting with some of that stuff, particularly in the way of 1 Maori person did something so all Maori people think that or in the Maori Business Goes Bust. I notice they never say Pakeha Business Goes Bust etc. Also Don Brash is Pakeha,but his views aren't put forward as all Pakeha views.
Sorry, long rant, but I don't necessarily think that not wanting to have a road built on a piece of land that is in some way tapu is a bad thing. In the circumstances you were referrring to I think it was, but perhaps not overall.
Posted by: Emba at July 14, 2005 01:42 PMYeah, I definitely agree with the remarks you make in your second paragraph. It's like 'Asian Crime' is somehow different to 'Other Races Crime'.
I don't mind the tapu thing. But then, I have no real problem with putting a bypass through a cemetary, either. I wouldn't want some kids 100 years into the future to be jailed for using my skull as an ashtray. I'm just not that bothered by things like that, I guess.
I stand by the nuttier remark. We're all nutty in different ways. One of the main purposes of this blog is to highlight the fact that we're all insane, especially me.
(come on, emba! you can't build a garage in your backyard due to ELVES?! where are we, Middle Earth?)
I do agree that stopping a road for a taniwha is a bit nuts, I just added a side rant to my agreement :-) I do like elves though....
Posted by: Emba at July 14, 2005 06:31 PMWould be be any less nuts if construction was stopped because the Virgin Mary was reputed to have appeared there at some point? 'Cause those sites are preserved all the time.
Posted by: Pearce at July 15, 2005 10:50 AMI think it's all nuts. Unless there is some engineering, ecological or other physical issue with the area, public roads and amenities take precedence over superstion/faith.
If people want to have a faerie hill in their backyard, that's fine. If people want to chant in a language they don't understand, that's fine. If people belive in a gum-boot-like god that lives in the heave where lost socks go, that's fine.
But don't try to force it on me! I'm quite happy with my religion. Wednesday nights are holy time. Communion wine is white, comes in a plastic glass, and should be gulped, not sipped. Children crying during the Simpsons should be removed from earshot or rendered unconscious.
Questions will be asked after 8.30 Wednesday nights, just to check that you are actually a true Simpsons fan, not just a wanna-be with yellow skin and an enormous over-bite.
Personally, I'm in favour of ANYTHING that means less roads. Also less prisons (and less prisoners).
Posted by: Pearce at July 18, 2005 11:25 AMFewer roads means greater traffic congestion. Fewer prisons doesn't mean fewer criminals, it just means more criminals are paroled into the community.
I'm in favour of fewer prisoners means that we truly have fewer serious offenders in our communities. But short of the death sentance I don't see much of a way of achieving that.
I think the death penalty for murderers, rapists, sex offenders and child abusers would be fair.
Even funnier is that recently I have heard they've had multiple problems with that particular prison site - deaths and building problems and so forth.
Maybe I laughed too soon - or at least at the wrong side!
Posted by: phreq at September 14, 2005 04:06 PM