Jessý Potato
@markdownhandsup.bsky.social
The Girl with the Star Wars Tattoo. Recovering geoscientist. 56 countries. I have opinions & adventures. Reykjavík. KC born; SG bred. Founder: www.sidequesticeland.com
February's photo comes from gorgeous, historical, geologically wonderful town, Edinburgh, Scotland.
While I did some memorable things, like stay at The Witchery and met players from Ireland v. Scotland rugby teams, I love the irreverent stuff. Here's Adam Scott wearing a traffic cone.
#yearinreview
While I did some memorable things, like stay at The Witchery and met players from Ireland v. Scotland rugby teams, I love the irreverent stuff. Here's Adam Scott wearing a traffic cone.
#yearinreview
December 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
February's photo comes from gorgeous, historical, geologically wonderful town, Edinburgh, Scotland.
While I did some memorable things, like stay at The Witchery and met players from Ireland v. Scotland rugby teams, I love the irreverent stuff. Here's Adam Scott wearing a traffic cone.
#yearinreview
While I did some memorable things, like stay at The Witchery and met players from Ireland v. Scotland rugby teams, I love the irreverent stuff. Here's Adam Scott wearing a traffic cone.
#yearinreview
I'm featuring my favorite photo from each month for the final six days of 2025. Up first: January.
This one isn't technically perfect. It's out of focus. I was running, with an iPhone, in the cold. But it was such a core memory. From the New Years Day aurora substorm.
#yearinreview #northernlights
This one isn't technically perfect. It's out of focus. I was running, with an iPhone, in the cold. But it was such a core memory. From the New Years Day aurora substorm.
#yearinreview #northernlights
December 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
I'm featuring my favorite photo from each month for the final six days of 2025. Up first: January.
This one isn't technically perfect. It's out of focus. I was running, with an iPhone, in the cold. But it was such a core memory. From the New Years Day aurora substorm.
#yearinreview #northernlights
This one isn't technically perfect. It's out of focus. I was running, with an iPhone, in the cold. But it was such a core memory. From the New Years Day aurora substorm.
#yearinreview #northernlights
Gleðileg jól, öllsömul! Njóttu hátíðanna!
December 25, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Gleðileg jól, öllsömul! Njóttu hátíðanna!
As promised, your final Icelandic yule creatures post! This evening, on the 24th, Icelanders will gather together and unwrap presents. While books are a common gift, folklore states if you don't get new clothes for Christmas, the frightening Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn) will eat you.
#iceland #christmas
#iceland #christmas
December 24, 2025 at 11:04 AM
As promised, your final Icelandic yule creatures post! This evening, on the 24th, Icelanders will gather together and unwrap presents. While books are a common gift, folklore states if you don't get new clothes for Christmas, the frightening Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn) will eat you.
#iceland #christmas
#iceland #christmas
One extra holiday post! Today we celebrate Þorláksmessa, or the Mass of St. Thorlak, Iceland's patron saint.
Nowadays, we* celebrate by eating fermented skate, which has a strong ammonia smell, and go downtown for Christmas shopping and sanat spotting. (*we used liberally here)
#iceland #christmas
Nowadays, we* celebrate by eating fermented skate, which has a strong ammonia smell, and go downtown for Christmas shopping and sanat spotting. (*we used liberally here)
#iceland #christmas
December 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
One extra holiday post! Today we celebrate Þorláksmessa, or the Mass of St. Thorlak, Iceland's patron saint.
Nowadays, we* celebrate by eating fermented skate, which has a strong ammonia smell, and go downtown for Christmas shopping and sanat spotting. (*we used liberally here)
#iceland #christmas
Nowadays, we* celebrate by eating fermented skate, which has a strong ammonia smell, and go downtown for Christmas shopping and sanat spotting. (*we used liberally here)
#iceland #christmas
Tonight our 13th and final santa comes out of the highlands to bring gifts but also mischief. This is Kertasníkir, or Candle Stealer.
In the before times, candles were made from tallow, and thus semi edible. This Yule Lad will steal your candles for a midnight snack.
#iceland #christmas #culture
In the before times, candles were made from tallow, and thus semi edible. This Yule Lad will steal your candles for a midnight snack.
#iceland #christmas #culture
December 23, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Tonight our 13th and final santa comes out of the highlands to bring gifts but also mischief. This is Kertasníkir, or Candle Stealer.
In the before times, candles were made from tallow, and thus semi edible. This Yule Lad will steal your candles for a midnight snack.
#iceland #christmas #culture
In the before times, candles were made from tallow, and thus semi edible. This Yule Lad will steal your candles for a midnight snack.
#iceland #christmas #culture
Absolutely wild pink nitrogen ribbon aurora burst last night here in Iceland. There was cloud cover, and I was worried the show would stay shrouded. Voila!
The purpley-pink & white ribbons are much closer to us in the atmosphere than standard green arcs, and are fast moving.
#northernlights #aurora
The purpley-pink & white ribbons are much closer to us in the atmosphere than standard green arcs, and are fast moving.
#northernlights #aurora
December 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Absolutely wild pink nitrogen ribbon aurora burst last night here in Iceland. There was cloud cover, and I was worried the show would stay shrouded. Voila!
The purpley-pink & white ribbons are much closer to us in the atmosphere than standard green arcs, and are fast moving.
#northernlights #aurora
The purpley-pink & white ribbons are much closer to us in the atmosphere than standard green arcs, and are fast moving.
#northernlights #aurora
Which Yule Lad is coming tonight? Why it's none other than Ketkrókur, or MEAT HOOK. No, really.
Meat Hook, like Santa, is very enamored with chimneys, but instead he lowers a massive hook down in hopes of swiping your meats. I hope you know that I'm not making any of this up.
#iceland #christmas
Meat Hook, like Santa, is very enamored with chimneys, but instead he lowers a massive hook down in hopes of swiping your meats. I hope you know that I'm not making any of this up.
#iceland #christmas
December 22, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Which Yule Lad is coming tonight? Why it's none other than Ketkrókur, or MEAT HOOK. No, really.
Meat Hook, like Santa, is very enamored with chimneys, but instead he lowers a massive hook down in hopes of swiping your meats. I hope you know that I'm not making any of this up.
#iceland #christmas
Meat Hook, like Santa, is very enamored with chimneys, but instead he lowers a massive hook down in hopes of swiping your meats. I hope you know that I'm not making any of this up.
#iceland #christmas
The 11th Yule Lad is Gáttabefur, or literally Doorway Sniffer.
As his name suggests, he is lurking in doorways, trying to sniff all the yummy holiday foods. Icelanders typically serve hangikjöt, sugared saucy potatoes, peas and red cabbage, and my personal favorite, laufabrauð.
#iceland #christmas
As his name suggests, he is lurking in doorways, trying to sniff all the yummy holiday foods. Icelanders typically serve hangikjöt, sugared saucy potatoes, peas and red cabbage, and my personal favorite, laufabrauð.
#iceland #christmas
December 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The 11th Yule Lad is Gáttabefur, or literally Doorway Sniffer.
As his name suggests, he is lurking in doorways, trying to sniff all the yummy holiday foods. Icelanders typically serve hangikjöt, sugared saucy potatoes, peas and red cabbage, and my personal favorite, laufabrauð.
#iceland #christmas
As his name suggests, he is lurking in doorways, trying to sniff all the yummy holiday foods. Icelanders typically serve hangikjöt, sugared saucy potatoes, peas and red cabbage, and my personal favorite, laufabrauð.
#iceland #christmas
Hello from 65°N on the shortest day of the year. Here in Reykjavík we have four hours of "daylight."
Many years, the solstice is shrouded in clouds, but even when it's sunny out, we stay in perpetual golden hour because the sun does not rise more the 3.5° above the horizon.
#iceland #wintersolstice
Many years, the solstice is shrouded in clouds, but even when it's sunny out, we stay in perpetual golden hour because the sun does not rise more the 3.5° above the horizon.
#iceland #wintersolstice
December 21, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Hello from 65°N on the shortest day of the year. Here in Reykjavík we have four hours of "daylight."
Many years, the solstice is shrouded in clouds, but even when it's sunny out, we stay in perpetual golden hour because the sun does not rise more the 3.5° above the horizon.
#iceland #wintersolstice
Many years, the solstice is shrouded in clouds, but even when it's sunny out, we stay in perpetual golden hour because the sun does not rise more the 3.5° above the horizon.
#iceland #wintersolstice
The tenth Yule Lad arrives from the mountains tonight and he's definitely the creepiest. This is Gluggagægir, or Window Peeper.
A voyeur with thick glasses and sometimes binoculars, this santa is on a stakeout for things he can steal in your home. Crime Claus!
#iceland #christmas #culture
A voyeur with thick glasses and sometimes binoculars, this santa is on a stakeout for things he can steal in your home. Crime Claus!
#iceland #christmas #culture
December 20, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The tenth Yule Lad arrives from the mountains tonight and he's definitely the creepiest. This is Gluggagægir, or Window Peeper.
A voyeur with thick glasses and sometimes binoculars, this santa is on a stakeout for things he can steal in your home. Crime Claus!
#iceland #christmas #culture
A voyeur with thick glasses and sometimes binoculars, this santa is on a stakeout for things he can steal in your home. Crime Claus!
#iceland #christmas #culture
It's the 9th night of yule, and with it comes Bjúgnakrækir, or Sausage Swiper.
This santa hides in your rafters to swipe sausages that you're smoking. Modern day versions see him hiding in your attic waiting to steal your hot dogs, which are practically the national dish here.
#iceland #christmas
This santa hides in your rafters to swipe sausages that you're smoking. Modern day versions see him hiding in your attic waiting to steal your hot dogs, which are practically the national dish here.
#iceland #christmas
December 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
It's the 9th night of yule, and with it comes Bjúgnakrækir, or Sausage Swiper.
This santa hides in your rafters to swipe sausages that you're smoking. Modern day versions see him hiding in your attic waiting to steal your hot dogs, which are practically the national dish here.
#iceland #christmas
This santa hides in your rafters to swipe sausages that you're smoking. Modern day versions see him hiding in your attic waiting to steal your hot dogs, which are practically the national dish here.
#iceland #christmas
Late night walks in the neighborhood can still have some good views. The original Christmas lights adorn the skyline along with the Big Dipper.
#aurora #northernlights #iceland
#aurora #northernlights #iceland
December 19, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Late night walks in the neighborhood can still have some good views. The original Christmas lights adorn the skyline along with the Big Dipper.
#aurora #northernlights #iceland
#aurora #northernlights #iceland
Tonight the 8th Yule Lad arrives. This strapping lad is Skyrgámur, or Skýr Gobbler. He tears through the house eating all your skýr.
What is skýr? It's like yogurt, but actually a cheese! It's a mildly sour high protein food that you'll find in almost every house here.
#iceland #christmas #culture
What is skýr? It's like yogurt, but actually a cheese! It's a mildly sour high protein food that you'll find in almost every house here.
#iceland #christmas #culture
December 18, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Tonight the 8th Yule Lad arrives. This strapping lad is Skyrgámur, or Skýr Gobbler. He tears through the house eating all your skýr.
What is skýr? It's like yogurt, but actually a cheese! It's a mildly sour high protein food that you'll find in almost every house here.
#iceland #christmas #culture
What is skýr? It's like yogurt, but actually a cheese! It's a mildly sour high protein food that you'll find in almost every house here.
#iceland #christmas #culture
An update on #inflation and general #costofliving here in #Iceland, given the discourse wrt "cereal is $11 in the US" news.
Breakfast cereal (American) is ~ $6-8/box here at a normal grocery store; at the speciality American store, that can spike to $16.
Do with that information what you will.
Breakfast cereal (American) is ~ $6-8/box here at a normal grocery store; at the speciality American store, that can spike to $16.
Do with that information what you will.
December 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM
An update on #inflation and general #costofliving here in #Iceland, given the discourse wrt "cereal is $11 in the US" news.
Breakfast cereal (American) is ~ $6-8/box here at a normal grocery store; at the speciality American store, that can spike to $16.
Do with that information what you will.
Breakfast cereal (American) is ~ $6-8/box here at a normal grocery store; at the speciality American store, that can spike to $16.
Do with that information what you will.
Tonight, our 7th Yule Lad arrives; every parent of a teenager's least favorite Santa: Hurðasleikir, or Door Slammer.
This lad enjoys waking you by slamming doors, and he loves the sound of squeaky door hinges. Don't expect WD-40 in your shoe as a present from this dude.
#iceland #christmas #culture
This lad enjoys waking you by slamming doors, and he loves the sound of squeaky door hinges. Don't expect WD-40 in your shoe as a present from this dude.
#iceland #christmas #culture
December 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Tonight, our 7th Yule Lad arrives; every parent of a teenager's least favorite Santa: Hurðasleikir, or Door Slammer.
This lad enjoys waking you by slamming doors, and he loves the sound of squeaky door hinges. Don't expect WD-40 in your shoe as a present from this dude.
#iceland #christmas #culture
This lad enjoys waking you by slamming doors, and he loves the sound of squeaky door hinges. Don't expect WD-40 in your shoe as a present from this dude.
#iceland #christmas #culture
The 6th Yule Lad will be arriving from the mountains tonight. We welcome Askasleikir, or Bowl Licker.
He hides under beds and waits for you to put your wooden bowl (called an askur) on the floor from your midnight snack. This one always makes me question the eating habits of old-timey Icelanders.
He hides under beds and waits for you to put your wooden bowl (called an askur) on the floor from your midnight snack. This one always makes me question the eating habits of old-timey Icelanders.
December 16, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The 6th Yule Lad will be arriving from the mountains tonight. We welcome Askasleikir, or Bowl Licker.
He hides under beds and waits for you to put your wooden bowl (called an askur) on the floor from your midnight snack. This one always makes me question the eating habits of old-timey Icelanders.
He hides under beds and waits for you to put your wooden bowl (called an askur) on the floor from your midnight snack. This one always makes me question the eating habits of old-timey Icelanders.
Tonight the 5th yule lad arrives. Known as Pottasleikir, or literally Pot Licker.
This lad goes around stealing your leftovers and licking used pots and pans. Iceland was an incredibly poor nation pre WWII and many folklores are about starving and stealing food.
#iceland #christmas #culture
This lad goes around stealing your leftovers and licking used pots and pans. Iceland was an incredibly poor nation pre WWII and many folklores are about starving and stealing food.
#iceland #christmas #culture
December 15, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Tonight the 5th yule lad arrives. Known as Pottasleikir, or literally Pot Licker.
This lad goes around stealing your leftovers and licking used pots and pans. Iceland was an incredibly poor nation pre WWII and many folklores are about starving and stealing food.
#iceland #christmas #culture
This lad goes around stealing your leftovers and licking used pots and pans. Iceland was an incredibly poor nation pre WWII and many folklores are about starving and stealing food.
#iceland #christmas #culture
It's the 4th night of Icelandic Yule Lads coming to town. This time it's Þvörusleikir, which roughly translates to Spoon Licker.
He's described as sickly thin and malnourished, and he runs around your house looking for dirty used spoons to lick clean. Charming.
#iceland #christmas #culture
He's described as sickly thin and malnourished, and he runs around your house looking for dirty used spoons to lick clean. Charming.
#iceland #christmas #culture
December 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
It's the 4th night of Icelandic Yule Lads coming to town. This time it's Þvörusleikir, which roughly translates to Spoon Licker.
He's described as sickly thin and malnourished, and he runs around your house looking for dirty used spoons to lick clean. Charming.
#iceland #christmas #culture
He's described as sickly thin and malnourished, and he runs around your house looking for dirty used spoons to lick clean. Charming.
#iceland #christmas #culture
The 3rd Icelandic Santa (yule lad) is coming tonight.In English, they've translated his name to simply "Stubby." In Iceland, we call him Stúfur.
He's very short and he sneaks into your kitchen to steal pots and pans so as to lick the old food crusts off them!
He's very short and he sneaks into your kitchen to steal pots and pans so as to lick the old food crusts off them!
December 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The 3rd Icelandic Santa (yule lad) is coming tonight.In English, they've translated his name to simply "Stubby." In Iceland, we call him Stúfur.
He's very short and he sneaks into your kitchen to steal pots and pans so as to lick the old food crusts off them!
He's very short and he sneaks into your kitchen to steal pots and pans so as to lick the old food crusts off them!
I get asked all the time if you can see the northern lights from town. On a good night: absolutely!
Tonight was supposed to be completely socked in with clouds and the city is extra bright with Christmas cheer. But, voila!
#northernlights #aurora
#reykjavik #iceland
Tonight was supposed to be completely socked in with clouds and the city is extra bright with Christmas cheer. But, voila!
#northernlights #aurora
#reykjavik #iceland
December 12, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I get asked all the time if you can see the northern lights from town. On a good night: absolutely!
Tonight was supposed to be completely socked in with clouds and the city is extra bright with Christmas cheer. But, voila!
#northernlights #aurora
#reykjavik #iceland
Tonight was supposed to be completely socked in with clouds and the city is extra bright with Christmas cheer. But, voila!
#northernlights #aurora
#reykjavik #iceland
Tonight the 2nd Icelandic Santa (yule lad) comes down from the mountains. It's Gilljagaur, or Gulley Gawk in English.
He hides in gullies and lava cracks, waiting for local farmers to get distracted, so he can sneak into barns and steal milk. Santa chaos ensues!
#iceland #christmas #culture
He hides in gullies and lava cracks, waiting for local farmers to get distracted, so he can sneak into barns and steal milk. Santa chaos ensues!
#iceland #christmas #culture
December 12, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Tonight the 2nd Icelandic Santa (yule lad) comes down from the mountains. It's Gilljagaur, or Gulley Gawk in English.
He hides in gullies and lava cracks, waiting for local farmers to get distracted, so he can sneak into barns and steal milk. Santa chaos ensues!
#iceland #christmas #culture
He hides in gullies and lava cracks, waiting for local farmers to get distracted, so he can sneak into barns and steal milk. Santa chaos ensues!
#iceland #christmas #culture
First Icelandic Santa arrives tonight! Jólasveinninn (the yule lads) are a bunch of mischievous brothers that come down from the mountains, leave presents in kids’ shoes, and commit mayhem.
Tonight it's Stekkjastaur. In English, Sheep-Cote Clod or Gimpy. He's got a peg leg and harasses sheep.
Tonight it's Stekkjastaur. In English, Sheep-Cote Clod or Gimpy. He's got a peg leg and harasses sheep.
December 11, 2025 at 8:38 PM
First Icelandic Santa arrives tonight! Jólasveinninn (the yule lads) are a bunch of mischievous brothers that come down from the mountains, leave presents in kids’ shoes, and commit mayhem.
Tonight it's Stekkjastaur. In English, Sheep-Cote Clod or Gimpy. He's got a peg leg and harasses sheep.
Tonight it's Stekkjastaur. In English, Sheep-Cote Clod or Gimpy. He's got a peg leg and harasses sheep.
I've been struck down with whatever the virus du jour is, but the worst part about being sick in Iceland in the winter is you invariably miss the whole day.
Sun is rising past 11:00 now and setting at almost 15:30. By solstice that will shrink by almost half an hour more. I'll never get used to it.
Sun is rising past 11:00 now and setting at almost 15:30. By solstice that will shrink by almost half an hour more. I'll never get used to it.
December 11, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I've been struck down with whatever the virus du jour is, but the worst part about being sick in Iceland in the winter is you invariably miss the whole day.
Sun is rising past 11:00 now and setting at almost 15:30. By solstice that will shrink by almost half an hour more. I'll never get used to it.
Sun is rising past 11:00 now and setting at almost 15:30. By solstice that will shrink by almost half an hour more. I'll never get used to it.
A very well-timed comment reminded me of my favorite subset of aurora photography: with the local volcano.
Kilauea may be a spectacle & I know it's not a competition, but it doesn't have auroras like we do.
Hope the commenter can make their bucket list item a reality soon! #northernlights #volcano
Kilauea may be a spectacle & I know it's not a competition, but it doesn't have auroras like we do.
Hope the commenter can make their bucket list item a reality soon! #northernlights #volcano
My next bucket list box to tick with regards to that specific endeavor is to get a better camera 😂
December 8, 2025 at 6:06 PM
A very well-timed comment reminded me of my favorite subset of aurora photography: with the local volcano.
Kilauea may be a spectacle & I know it's not a competition, but it doesn't have auroras like we do.
Hope the commenter can make their bucket list item a reality soon! #northernlights #volcano
Kilauea may be a spectacle & I know it's not a competition, but it doesn't have auroras like we do.
Hope the commenter can make their bucket list item a reality soon! #northernlights #volcano