Flying Testicles & Nature in the South West

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers in this project will have the unique opportunity to work in two very different locations in the country at opposite locations, the first week in Neskaupstaður one of the largest towns in the Eastern fjords of Iceland and the second with a local host in the South West of the country. During the first part of the camp, we will work in the annual Icelandic metal music festival: Eistnaflug (e. Flying Testicles), held in Neskaupsstaður. We will be working on different tasks around the Metal festival Eistnaflug; preparing the area, working on the festival and cleaning the area afterwards. The main task will be guarding the area of the festival, both during the concerts and in the camping area. The festival itself is held for three days, but both before and after the festival we will be in the area to manage the logistics of the events. The second week we will be working with a local host in the South West to reduce the spread of the Lupine plant, which has been used in Iceland in order to control soil erosion and re-vegetate eroded areas; but in some places its spread is more than desirable and being a foreign specie (originally from Alaska) hinders the native flora to grow and reproduce. We will also be making some walking paths and building a bridge, mowing some grass and some light paint jobs.

ACCOMMODATION: During the festival we will stay in tents in the camping site of the festival. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tents if they have them available; please bring a sleeping bag and sleeping mat. We will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities. The second week we will stay in a house with basic facilities; in a sleeping bag accommodation. There we will have access to an out-door hot tub. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: Eistnaflug is a music festival held annually for the last six years in the Eastern fjords and it has become a celebration for musicians from Iceland and abroad. In 2010 there were over 90 bands playing, the music spans from easy rock to heavy metal. The festival has been a peaceful one without any hazards, the motto is: Rock festival held in brotherhood and friendship. In the eastern fjords visitors enjoy remarkable mountain scenery with mountains in almost every direction, majestic peaks, mysterious ravines and deep valleys. It is said that a visit is a mountain therapy because, some believe that they are good for body and soul, can be inspiring and give unexplained energy. Hikers will find challenges that suite them and enjoy the wonderful scenery and the mountains are the oldest part of Iceland. The geology is unique and very interesting to explore. Most of them are formed by layers of lava that have piled up through the millenniums. In the South West we will be surrounded by beautiful landscapes, fjords and valleys and majestic mountains. There we might even meet a big and mean troll-woman; however chances are that she has been turned into stone by the sunlight.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.

TERMINAL: International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ). Domestic airport: Egilsstaðir Airport.

SEEDS organises the 'minibus option', a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 160.

Transport between the projects (about 800 Km. around Iceland) is included in the fee. Volunteers need to be motivated for physically demanding work outdoors.

AGE: 20+