Page 41 - 2000 ICELAND

bunk platforms – three tiers high. Each platform was big enough to hold
four to six sleepers.

The Germans were on the first level on the left and the French were arrayed

on the platforms above – their faces peering over the edges onto the
festivities below. Kay and I and the Canadians sat at the wooden tables on

attached benches.

Magnus was our jovial emcee and he started us off with a long shaggy dog
story (in English) about a trained grasshopper. There was much laughter

even though I’m sure at least half the crowd did not understand what he

was saying. However, he did a lot of mugging and gesturing and charades.

Then the Icelandic tour personnel got up and sang Icelandic folk and popular
songs. They were very good – harmony and everything.

Next the French young folk and a couple of older ones were the bravest and

got up to sing a few songs; some were familiar to us but most were not. The
French speaking Swiss were highly reluctant but finally gave in. The

Icelandic choir got up again and sang a few more ditties with spirit and
pride. Then Magnus went into another little “shtick” about a golf lesson in

English and got lots more laughs. Smiles rained down from the platforms

above.

Next, Pat and Lynn got up and sang a couple of familiar Canadian songs.
Then Kay and I rendered our own particular versions of, “Yankee Doodle”

(which everyone seemed to recognize), “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”
(no one seemed to know this one), “Dixie” (relatively unfamiliar) and finally,

“Deep in the Heart of Texas” (which everybody knew and joined in!). We
were warmly applauded.

Up to that point, the atmosphere had been gay and relaxed; everyone was
good-natured and more than willing to be indulgent of bad singing and

forgotten lyrics.