If you were out looking for elves, the first logical place you’d look would be the North Pole, but that may not actually be the easiest place to find them. According to a couple news stories from this year, elves can wreak some serious havoc on construction projects in Iceland, if they’re unhappy.
The Elves, also known as Huldufolk, originate in Icelandic folklore and are believed to be smaller, “hidden,” versions of humans. According to several surveys, a large number of Icelanders believe that elves exist, but only some have claimed to see them. They’re believed to dwell in enchanted rocks and, throughout history, construction projects have been altered to avoid areas officials believe the elves reside.
This is no joke, either, as the elves are being blamed for delays and other issues at two different recent projects. The first, in July, hindered contractors from drilling for water in Hegranes, Skagafjord, Iceland, according to Ice News. After their drilling gear suffered several unexplained malfunctions, the contractors were forced to make contact with the Huldofolk in the area to allow them to continue drilling. A local farmer told the crews that Hegranes has one of the largest elf populations in the entire country. In the end, crews moved the construction site away from the cliffs where the elves were believed to be and, as the story goes, they immediately found water.
The second involved roadway workers hired to clear a highway after a landslide occured in 2015. According to the reports of this case, an enchanted elfin rock was covered up with debris by the contractors and they became angry. As soon as the road was cleared, problems began, as the area proceeded to flood, a construction worker was injured, machinery began to fail, and a reporter had to be saved after falling in a mud pool. The Iceland Road Administration then decided that they would uncover the rock, which also happened to be protected by a law which protects elfin heritage.
Whether you believe the elves exist or not, the power of the elves has clearly been felt by a lot of Icelanders throughout the years. It speaks volumes that roads have been diverted and construction sites have been moved to appease the elves. The video below, uploaded to Youtube by AFP news agency, shares some more information about Icelandic elves:
![[VIDEO] Construction Worker in Shanghai is Literally the Worst at Getting Rid of a Puddle](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54f4cf23e4b02841c1824db0/1504756855204-F1ULXSJXZ2VS1WZ7XDBW/puddle+shoveler.JPG)
A couple of weeks ago, we followed the very amusing story of the Leaning Tower of Dallas. For those unfamiliar, it all started as an innocent attempt at a building implosion, but ended up becoming an internet meme, a tourism landmark, and the subject of a petition to turn it into a monument. Well, the big joke is over, as what remained of the tower has finally fallen.