Let me tell you some things about Iceland. In Iceland, clouds spill over mountains creating fragmented images. The landscape changes quickly from grass to glacier, but green is ever-present. Red volcanic rocks are a fertile breeding ground for moss and tiny flowers. Solitude wraps you in its arms and holds you tight. The ground is spongey. The air is windy. And sheep bums are aplenty. ^^ Rachel and I decided to go the cheep/sketchy route and rent a car off airbnb (which, by the way isn't a thing). The "host" told us to pick it up from a certain parking lot, where he had left it unlocked with the keys under the mat. But when we got there and saw the mass amounts of cars in the parking lot (which this photo does not accurately portray), we had no idea how we'd ever find it. Luckily, Rachel recalled from the add that it was an ugly shade of gold, and so, we found the only diarrhea-colored car and low and behold the blue furry tail keychain was inside. Thus began our Iceland adventure! Though Rachel's driving skills were questionable at best, we made it to our airbnb outside the city. The kindest man, Reyneir, welcomed us into his immaculate home. He thought we were totally nuts, but whatever. Each evening we would sit in front of a map with Reyneir. He'd ask us our plans for the following day, then tell us what we should do instead, typically suggesting a "16 hour day" and advising us to wake up at 6am. Each morning, Rachel and I would groggily stumble out of bed around 10, say a little prayer that Reyneir had already left so he wouldn't whiteness our indulgent sleeping habits, and then say good morning to Reyneir (because he hadn't ever left) as he looked from us to his watch back to us, shaking his head all the while. ^^ Reykjavik was such a cool little city! Rachel and I spent too much time hanging at KEX hostel, despite the fact that we were not actually staying there. But their food was SO good! ^^ Traditional Icelandic houses were small grass-covered wooden structures. I love how they blend in with their natural surroundings and how easily they return to the earth. ^^ Gullfoss Falls was so breathtaking. Literally and figuratively. ^^ Rachel and I drove 4 hours to see Kirkjufell Mountain which we obtusely thought would look like this. Consequently, we drove right past it and, in fact, commented about all the "dumb tourists" who were gathered around the "random mountain." Only after we asked for directions at the next town did we realize that the random mountain was in fact the one we were looking for and that we had been sorely misguided. Though I'm not sure if it is more fair to blame google or ourselves. ^^ Though Kirkjufell was a bit of a disappointment, the drive made up for it a million times over. ^^ You know that rubbery bouncy material that's used on the floor of playgrounds? The ground here felt just like that. I bounded through that moss like a little kid. So much fun. ^^ Oh, and I learned how to change a flat tire. So...! Links to my favorites of Iceland:
Kex Hostel (fun atmosphere + tasty food) Frú Lauga (organic market) Reykjavik Roasters (my favorite coffee shop. try an oat milk cappuccino!) Greetings from Baltimore! It's wonderfully humid here, and the tepid rain carries that feeling that fall is just around the corner. Nothing like a little bit of nostalgia to make you want to move again. Haha! Just kidding. (But kind of not.) Rachel and I are headed to Iceland tomorrow, the first stop on our month and a half long backpacking trip. But first, some photos from our move/road trip back to Salt Lake. As we drove away from Mt. Rainier (sadly, no photos of that. What was I thinking?), we passed this really cool sculpture garden. All sorts of hidden gems in the sculptures, like this cute sewing machine. And I love you for eternity Aimie Ann!
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ELLEfeminist. linguist. traveller. foodie. crafter. ARCHIVES
January 2018
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All photos are the property of Elizabeth Cheney and may not be used without permission.
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