US ambassador Billy Long unveils Iceland catchphrase

US Ambassador to Iceland Billy Long has introduced a new catchphrase in a video, saying, “I’m in Iceland, where the heck are you?” mbl.is reported.

Long sent Icelanders a warm greeting and said Iceland and the United States would achieve great things together. He said he was excited and proud to serve as ambassador.

Long previously attracted attention after saying Iceland could become the 52nd US state. He later apologised for the remarks.

President Halla Tómasdóttir formally received Long at Bessastaðir recently. In the video, he described the ambassadorship as “the honour of my life”.

Long said the position came after US President Donald Trump offered him and his wife a choice of several countries. He recalled that his wife immediately chose Iceland from the list.

“The truth is that this is the honour of my life, and I have lived many years,” said Long, who is 71.

He praised Iceland’s nature and people, saying he already felt a deep connection with the country.

Long advised anyone planning to visit Iceland to add 15 percent to the time they thought they would need, regardless of whether they planned to stay for two, four, six, eight, 10, 12 and a half, or 15 days.

“There is pure beauty everywhere you look,” he said.

In the video, Long also listed some of the jobs he has held over the years, including working as a mule guide in the Grand Canyon, owning a miniature golf course, working as a cook at a Chinese restaurant in Laramie, Wyoming, selling real estate for 32 years and working as an auctioneer for 31 years.

He said his varied background had included “all kinds of things you would not believe” and demonstrated some of his former auctioneering routines.

Long said he was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, and concluded by saying he was proud to be in Iceland.