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The scene is legendary: Friday night in Reykjavik, and hordes of besotted teens have overtaken the streets. On foot and in cars, they scream and yell, dance, and weave along with their friends. This ritual, which is far more intimidating in appearance than it is in fact, is known as the runtur. It is a spectacle similar to the "cruising" that took place in America in the 50s and 60s, though here the teens seem to be far more innocent and far more loaded. Inside the bars and nightclubs their older brothers and sisters, even their parents, doing the same thing - albeit with a bit more moderation. The runtur illustrates one of the dualities of the Icelandic soul: they work hard, and play even harder. 
 
When it comes to play, Icelanders do nothing half way. Almost everyone here dabbles in a hobby, very often artistic in nature. Per capita, Iceland publishes more books than any other nation on Earth. On average, about 1 in 10 people will publish a book of prose or poetry within their lifetime, a storytelling tradition that goes back to the sagas of the Vikings. A stiff-lipped man in a bar might tell you he's a computer programmer, but he could also very well be a playwright or a violinist in the local orchestra. Being well-rounded is a very valued trait. 
 
In the same vein, Icelanders like to travel. Long ago, one of the most common ways a Viking could gain fame in his homeland was to ship off to a foreign land, coming back years later with gifts and stories galore. This is still a highly respected tradition, and an Icelander who is well-traveled is referred to as someone who is "sailed." Iceland may be a remote island, but its people know the world. 

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