by Saga, age 9, writes to Santa from Akureyri, Iceland, and asks where does santa live?
Dear Santa,
My name is Saga, and I am 9 years old. I live in Akureyri, Iceland, where her mamma says the northern lights danced right over their house three times last week alone.
Dear Saga, that is exactly the sort of detail I like to hear about Akureyri. It tells me you are paying close attention to the world around you, which is a fine habit to keep. Please keep noticing things like that.
Santa, I have three questions. First, where does Santa live? My dad and I were arguing about it at breakfast.
The North Pole, of course, in a workshop that never quite shows up clearly on any map, which the elves insist is intentional so tourists do not track slush all over the toy floor.
Second, my grandpa was telling us about Eyjafjordur, the long fjord that her town sits at the very end of. Do you fly over that on your Christmas Eve route?
Every single year, without fail. Eyjafjordur, the long fjord that her town sits at the very end of is one of the sights the reindeer look forward to most, and I always tell the newer reindeer to watch closely as we pass over, because there are not many views in the whole wide world quite like it. Rudolph tends to slow down just a little right there, and I have learned not to rush him.
Third, is it true that in Iceland? My family was talking about it and I want to know if it is real.
It certainly is true. In iceland, it is traditional to give books as gifts on christmas eve, a custom known as jolabokaflod, or the christmas book flood. I think that is a wonderful thing for a family to talk about, because customs like that are exactly what make Iceland feel like Iceland, and they are precisely the sort of thing that keeps a community close together, especially in the winter months.
Thank you for your letter and your good questions, Saga. Keep noticing the world around you, keep asking honest questions, and keep being kind to the people in Akureyri. That is the whole spirit of Christmas right there. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Saga
Akureyri, Iceland
P.S. Does Jólasveinar ever visit Akureyri too, or is that only your job?
We split the map fairly evenly, and Jólasveinar handles that part of the world beautifully. Consider it a very old and very friendly arrangement.
