Reflections

Expectation versus Reality
I was completely ignorant about Iceland prior to our little trip. I had expected Iceland to be frigid and over populated. However, contrary to my preconceptions, it did not snow frequently. In fact, it did not snow at all. Moreover, Iceland - next to areas of New Mexico and South Africa- is probably the most sparsely populated and developed place I have ever visited.

I had imagined eating fresh food, like the picture bellow, every day. However, most of our meals were hardily comprised of fried fish and french fries... I also could not have even comprehended how expensive food would be in Iceland.

Halibut at Heimsendi restaurant 

I had failed to even imagine that there would be a difference in the densities and diverisities of wild life. Pretty much all we saw were: ALOT of birds and a mouse and  domesticated cats, dogs, sheep, and horses.

I addition to knowing nothing about Iceland, I knew nothing about geology, so every bit of information I gleaned about rocks was new information. Initially, my geologic ignorance was terrifying. However, it quickly became a refreshing feat of knowledge acquisition and turning to professors, wikipedia, and peers for explanation.

columnar basalt, featuring Nate 

Geodes- field notebook for scale 

After participating in a semester long field studies program and generally being a fairly calm person, I thought that I could deal with any social situation or field situation; I was wrong. Weighing mostly on my expectations of success, the short and intensive days took their toll along with having to adapt to a less cohesive group- in comparison with my previous group. High expectations led to great personal challenges and the need for even greater patience.

Regardless,  I met 17 very intriguing, dynamic, and amazing people.

Day 8: 17 may : Shark Museum

May 17 Tuesday
Today, We visited the Shark Museum. There, we got a ....delicious taste? ... a taste none the less of fermented Greenland shark..I was fairly unphased by the fishy flavour. However, others were quite disturbed. Maybe my toleration was due to the remnants of a dissipating illness preventing my sense of smell from  adding to the experience.

The museum was filled with interesting specimens of local birds, including Lundi (Puffins) and White tailed Eagle- a rare specimen.

At the museum, an old man conversed with us about the hidden people, Icelandic folklore, through the translation of our bus driver, Thor. The language barrier, though overcome through Thor's assistance, made me wish I spoke the language. After discussion of his family's dealings with the hidden people, he led us outside to give detail on his rock collection and to feed his chickens. At the end of our tours, he bid some of us farewell with a smile, a few words in Icelandic, and a cheerful hug.

From the chicken feeding site, I intently watched as a border collie performed its daily tasks, running swiftly to and fro behind and at the sides of its flock. A sweet fluffy dog joined us. The dog honestly could have been mistaken for a cat; its ears were so pointed and it was so small and furry.

Shark drying facilities outside, featuring Phoebe

I saw cat #6 on the way back....
We had lunch at ru ben and headed back to our hostel.
I explored a coffee shop on the way back to the hostel in side of which was an exhibit replicating a vintage toy store.
After we arrived at our hostel, we prepared for a hike on a trail directly behind the hostel.

Mitchell and Eric attempting to cross a pipeline 

geodes 

more geodes 

along the hike, there were many water falls and even a stray sheep that everyone else seemed to think was a mountain goat... Lauren and I explored a closer waterfall and discovered geodes while the others climbed a mountain.
I returned earlier and helped prepare dinner.

Day 21: May 30: Reykjavik (Final Day in Iceland)

My last full day in Iceland began around 06:45
, with the ring of my alarm. We had our usual sparse breakfast of Skyr and various breads with jam and butter and headed out for Reykjavik.

We attempted to visit the Nordic design center, but discovered that it - like many other things we've encountered on our trip- was closed on Mondays.

After abandoning our luggage at city hostel, we had lunch downtown at Pizzeria. Post-lunch, we were given time to explore Reykjavik...

After getting lost for a short while, Nate and I visited the National Gallery of Iceland... Exhibits visible on: http://www.listasafn.is/english/about-the-museum/
.
After attending the Nordic House, we left to go whale watching. During the course of our voyage, we spotted Minke whales, a Humpback whale, and white beaked dolphin.

Nate and I had dinner at Shalimar, a Pakistani restaurant, and attempted to find our way home. We became lost in a parking lot near the coast line and a friendly Icelandic man redirected us towards our hostel.

Sunset 

The day ended around 0200 the next day with the realization that tomorrow we would all be in a quite hypnotic condition.