Summer worker at Thingvellir
« I was fascinated by being in this beautiful place, being out and meeting people. That’s why I’m here, » says Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, former President of Iceland, who has taken over guidance at Thingvellir.
Today is his first day Gudna in a new job. When a journalist met him on the Almannagjá, he was finishing guiding a group of elementary school students and their teachers. There was great pleasure among the group that thanked them and the children did not want to say goodbye to the former president.
When asked, Guðni smiling about that about 45 minutes passed until the first Icelander noticed him and asked what he was doing. Most travelers have not been aware that the former president of the country was among those, which is a pleasant Icelandic phenomenon that Gudna thinks important to hold.
Gudni with tourists from Canada, his home country of his wife, the historian, the writer and former presidential wife, Eliza Reid.
mbl.is/magne marin
« Don’t you just want to come here? »
How did it come to start working at Thingvellir?
« I was here at Thingvellir on June 17, 2024 on a wonderful day – like this one – and with Einar Á.
I said « don’t I just have to go looking for a job » and he replied to the taste « Don’t you just want to come here? »
I take shifts here and there, of course I am in my professional position at the university, but I can puzzle this together, ”replies Guðni, who is most familiar with the same as a historical professor at the University of Iceland.
« Here is a steady current »
When asked, Gudni says the project’s task is varied and different.
« It is answering questions in the service center, taking a group of people from Hakin, down the Almannagjá, out to Axarárfoss and into Flosagjá and being available if something comes up, to be able to provide assistance, » he says. He started a first -aid course that was very needed, « so you are just here at work ».
« Here, kids were visiting from Lindaskóli, from Hjallastefnan and other schools and kindergartens. Here we also get guests who come to the country with cruise ships and often start by coming here and then finishing the Golden ring with Gullfoss and Geysir, or taking the opposite ring, starting there.
So here is a steady current, especially on a good day like this. «
« I take shifts here and there, of course I am in my professional position at the university, but I can puzzle this together, » replies Guðni, who is most familiar with the same as a historical professor at the University of Iceland.
mbl.is/magne marin
Looking forward to the summer
You seem to be a little bit of a national pride in your work, you were the President of Iceland and have come to work in the beautiful nature of the country.
« Yes, exactly, and telling people about the history of this place and the history of Iceland. Most people I meet are from the outside and don’t know who I am, which is just beautiful.
It’s really fun to be here with a good group of people, it’s a selection team that works here. I also feel that they have been successful in the development of the place, it keeps his honor, but there are also steps and walking paths so that people can enjoy coming here. I’m just looking forward to being here this summer. «
