Leaving Iceland (published in denmark!)

Well, it's my last day in Iceland, and I'm wondering how to convey to you the beauty of this country.

The wind blows often, and it smells always of ice, never of ocean. The mountains rise blockily out of piles of shale and small stones, and the grey moss grows six springy inches deep. Near the Blue Lagoon, where we ventured a few days ago, the blasted, twisted rocks and lichen make up a landscape one imagines for Mordor, indeed, J.R.R. Tolkien based much of his books off of the language and landscape of Iceland.

We've driven a lot, and the landscape never fails to astound me. At once peaceful and striking, the rolling grass is dimpled with yellow and white wildflowers, but the glacier-carved mountains still glimmer with snow. While on our way to see an absolutely torrential waterfall called Gulfoss, we also viewed the largest glacier in Europe. For those of you who have never seen a glacier, you should do it while they still exist, because these massive sheets of ice are surely the inspiration for the phrase "awe-inspiring". It just keeps going, mile after mile of grey/white expanse that confuses the eye as it blurs the distinction between cloudy sky and icy earth.

In addition to glaciers, we saw geysers, both large and small, bubbling away in their stone cauldrons. At the place of the geysirs we also got our first glimpse of what the Blue Lagoon would be like. There was a small pool about half-way up the hill that was filled with still, lukewarm water. The water possessed a milky-white and blue, pearly opalescent quality, and it made me understand with what ease the norse could create such fantastic mythology.

And what could be better to celebrate this fabulous landscape than a great capitol city? Downtown Reykjavik has stayed true (at least architecturally) to an older century. It is quaint and lovely, and the shops and boutiques feature a rugged style that is unique and fascinating. I am glad to have an extremely full backpack. It helps me to not spend money! Reykjavik also boasts a great nightlife, and since there are no liquor laws to force bars to close, people stay and party until five, six, even seven in the morning. We also happened to be in Reykjavik for the biggest festival of the year, the national Icelandic culture day, and there were nearly 50,000 people on the streets that night. There was live music, and fireworks, neither of which I appreciated fully, the first because it was outside and the temperature was in the thirties, the second because we all know how much allie likes fireworks! But the partying afterwards? Now that's what I'm talkin about!
We also did our part to add to the entertainment that night. The apartment we rented through the backpackers (split between seven it was like 20 bucks a night) was formerly a shop, and so possessed large plate glass windows. We, of course, could not resist the temptation and so posed and danced in the windows all night. It was fabulous. Nothing like an impromptu piece of performance art to brighten up your night!

Though it was sad to say goodbye to my friends, we've planned our next reunion, and it will take place in Mozambique!!! See you there guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

-a

Island! (Iceland)

Hallooooo from Iceland!

Well knock me sideways and call me a striped polecat. Iceland is absolutely STUNNING. Who knew??? Sweeping vistas, turquoise waters, frantically vibrant greenery, and absolutely fascinating rock formations. Killer!

I'm here with my volunteer friends from Mozambique, and it feels as if we parted only yesterday. How strange and amazing, that a group so vastly different can be such fast friends. It's just fabulous.

So far we've packed our days. There's just so much to see here! We drove north to visit Alma's relatives, nicer people and better cooks I couldn't imagine. I think I've gained five pounds already, and I don't mind at all, the national dish is lamb!!! Then we went river rafting, where the guides spent their time shoving us into the water, which, once you got used to it, was actually bearable. And it was gorgeous to see all the geology from the river. You'll be tootling along and all the sudden there's a bright orange boulder on the river bank and you're like????????? Or places where the water has polished the basalt to mirror smoothness, making you think that someone has put tarmac in the river. After rafting we relaxed in their hot tubs and then spent the night drinking and playing card games.

The next day we went to a natural hot springs sort of a la brightonbush, with rocks laid around the edge and metal poles and stairs to get in and out, but the bottom was gravel and rocks, and you had to be careful because the boiling hot water from underground would spurt up without warning! We then returned to the capital, Reykjavik, where we unpacked in our little rented apartment. The place is awesome! I think it was originally a store, it has huge picture windows in the front, and now the living room is in the direct view of everyone passing by. It's fun, really, we pose like mannequins and try to get people to laugh. We're planning a crazy mannequin fashion show for Saturday. Should be pretty awesome!!

I am missing you all very much, but I know you're all busy and having way too much fun. I'll email some pictures or post them on passbook as soon as I get them. I'll be in Denmark for two weeks living on a farm in Dostrup, which looks to be really really really cool, they've got horses and like to cook and I'll be picking apples probably... More updates later! We're going to the Blue Lagoon today, and then seeing some geysers. WOOOOT!!!

love you all so much.

-a