Author: cometsgirl

Try, try again. Today we are making a second attempt to leave town. We are headed to the island Vidðy.

Yesterday my toe got caught in a small dip in the asphalt next to our parked car. I had a nasty fall – lots of yelling (which I’m prone to do) as I went down, and which continued long after my head hit the ground hard. Real hard.

So we went to the E. R. instead.

I was asked for my passport so I felt like I had traveled somewhere.

I was treated and sewn up by three doctors; two of whom had studied medicine in Denmark, the other in Poland. A nurse from Germany completed the international feel.

I was told I would soon develop goggle eyes. And they were correct.

When I picked up the prescribed antibiotics, I bought some kids’ bandaids as well – to give myself some smiles.

A good night’s rest and we were off first thing this morning for Vidðy Island.

The day offered stunning vistas.

All told, we were on the islands of Streymoy, Esturoy, Bordoy and Vidðy today.

Outside our window, Nðlsoy Island at dusk.

Many years ago, while on a ferry in Canada, a fellow passenger declared it to be “a large day!”. In fact, in Canada a “large day” is a description for a day full of hope, sunshine and fresh breezes

I love that saying and have found that often it is the perfect description of a given day.

I was reminded of that large day moment yesterday when I was on the ferry to Sandoy Island. Clear blue skies. Calm seas, with only occasional white wave tips.

So far every day in the Faroes has felt like a large day.

The vast vistas clean out the clutter that has built up in my mind.

About day to day minutia.

Of things in which I have little control.

Of the daily onslaught of negativity in the news.

My soul feels refreshed by the vastness I see in every direction.

Small hamlets seem so clean and tidy – a reminder for me to do so in my own life.

I’m looking up and out.

Today was a very large day.

Over coffee each morning this is what we ask ourselves.

I pull out the large map and we look at notes we have written on the map or we refer to our Kindle books about the Faroes. Then we order another coffee and lay out the day’s travel plan.

Yesterday we went northeast to Bordðy and its next door island Kunoy. Today we travelled by ferry to Sandoy in the south. Each of the eighteen islands is unique in its particular geography and spectacular vistas.

The one thing all the islands have in common is sheep. Lots of sheep, seen both in the distance

and right alongside the road.

Sheep pay no heed as you drive by, but if you slow down to gaze upon them or to take a photograph, they move along.

Yesterday was the exception. After turning onto a small road, we slowed down because up ahead “greeter” sheep were literally running towards us.

They gathered around the car, baaing like crazy.

I thought for sure they would jump in the car if we let them. It was fun experiencing such a fine welcome after so much stand-offishness.

Tonight we ended this day on a practical note. As this was the 4th day since our arrival, a COVID-19 test was advised. And so we did.

Tomorrow we’ll begin the day with cappuccinos and the map, asking “where shall we go today”.

Yesterday morning a group gathered just outside the Icelandic consulate. They were there because a car had driven into the old section of town, tried to turn around and instead had become hung up on a concrete ledge.

They offered counsel and console. Communication and contact. Support and skill. Hospitality and care.

The situation even became a stop on a walking tour of Torshavn’s “old town”.

A young man whom we learned was in a construction apprenticeship, was working nearby and offered to call the police.

Eventually the police department arrived to make an assessment.

“This is a job for the fire department.”

While waiting for the fire department the neighbors offered an invitation to sit and have tea while the mother sat at the window to watch for the fire department.

At last!

“We need wood.” Neighbors brought wood and the jacking up began.

Success! The car was freed. One fire department member held out a portable credit card reader for payment, we gave repeated thanks to all as a neighbor slowly backed the car off the board, drove off to nearby corner where we met up. He got out, we got in, and drove off!

Of course the next stop was coffee.

In William Wehman’s video Alphabet Soup, the letter K stands for King. The king proceeds to say: “welcome to the kingdom. This is mine. All of it. Over here and over there, every last bit of it. All of it. Mine.” My sons and I have fun repeating this every now and then.

I was thinking about that line last night, after another day of wonder and wondrous places where we traveled this day. Gazing upon the majesty before me, feeling this is all mine for this moment.

This wonder of the majesty of God’s creation in this place is all mine – it fills up my soul, lightens my load.

It both fills me with awe and quietens me at the same time.

The past two days have been filled with vistas which seem far off, but are close enough to touch. I’m reminded to pay attention to this moment. It may not come again. Stop. Savor.

I already long to return. I’m keenly aware of my age and know my returns may not be returns. All the more reason to live in this very moment.

Right now. Right here. Mine.

All mine.

And theirs too.

Still, the Iceland International airport can be daunting in distance and wait.

COVID-time can be similarly so. I woke up at 4am before the noon flight to the Faroe Islands, concerned I couldn’t prove I had purchased the required COVID test to be administered upon landing. Concerned, too, because since I had requested wheelchair assistance, I could no longer print my boarding pass.

And, too, there was a 15 minute walk to the airport from the hotel in the dark and in a blustery rainstorm.

Still everything fell into place and eventually the eight hours had passed.

Boarding Atlantic Airways for Faroe Islands was quickly accomplished.

Heavy rain when we took off.

Sunny skies as we climbed.

A quick check of weather in the Faroe Islands indicated fog around the time we were to land.

The flight crew made welcome and safety announcements first in Faroese, then English. Similarly, so did the captain.

Atlantic Airways offered free wi-fi for the short one hour flight. About all you could do was track the flight. Still, I love tracking flights.

It didn’t take long to descend – almost – all the way. Instead, the plane turned skyward and we took-off midair! Literally we changed from down to up, up, and away!

A burst of Faroese, then English, announcing we would be told more soon. I could see the flight attendant consult her notebook and nod.

Finally the captain advised us about the severe fog. He said we would circle for awhile, hoping for better landing conditions. Interspersed I heard “Sweden”, “Denmark”. We could check wi-fi and see circles.

We hung out in the blue skies for about 45 minutes. Then we could feel the change in the plane’s trajectory and soon images of green hills and colorful houses came into view.

With several loud thuds, we landed. I, alone, clapped exhuberently!

Traveling mercies.

sight. masterwort. astrantia

sound. varma river waterfall

scent. thermal energy

taste. tomato soup

vestibular. la gallery

proprioception. in balance

Our destination for last night was Frost and Fire hotel in Hveragerði. Located southeast of the capitol, Reykjavik, and a few miles north of the North Atlantic Ocean coast, it’s an area abounding in thermal energy.

The road south from the airport took us near the Gerlingadalur Volcano. We had thought about taking the one-hour walk to glimpse the lava flow and glow, but it was raining and quite windy. The landscape was stark as expected. And stunning.

We had landed at 6am so as we drove south the need for coffee set in. Soon a coffee opportunity appeared. We happened upon a charming coffee and pastry shop in Þorlákshöfn.

Back on the road…

Before we knew it, it was time for lunch. We retuned to a favorite from years past…

which gave us energy to drive down the road to Urrigafoss waterfall…

and visit with several Icelandic ponies.

At last… arrived at Frost and Fire Hotel! Time for relaxing on our deck alongside the Varga River

and an especially significant welcome… when we entered our room… not one, but two robes! I’m thinking we have full level luxury!

Tuesday night we boarded our flight for Iceland around 9pm. This was after spending about seven hours laying-over in Newark. Yes, that Newark.

We had anticipated accessing the Polaris lounge for the long hours. Since all of these super fancy lounges are closed for now, we made the best of it. We accessed a couple of 2nd tier United lounges, but we found safe spacing was better outside the lounges. So we found an open seating area where we could hang out with all the people going to Mumbai.

It was fun listening to all the announced flights going to cities around the world.

Returning to the lounge, there was now space enough to stay for awhile as we continued to wait…

At last it was time to board. A wonderful welcome awaited. Our seats made into beds and all manner of bedding and other items to make us comfortable for the night flight were offered.

Including slippers which could be used to make a headphone fit properly.

On our way; the moon lighting the sky and the sea.

The “moon over sunrise” view early the next morning to begin the day. Another welcome. We are back!

At the Reykjavik airport there are no jetways, so you grab your carry on and bounce down the stairs. Hop on the waiting bus quickly!

A short ride and everyone clamors off to race up the stairs to the waiting line of people already standing in line to be processed into Iceland.

What awaited us was a wheelchair for me. Talk about priority seating! We were whisked off and away. Down corridors, up the elevator. Twists and turns, always taken to the front of each line. Suddenly we were at passport control. Documents at the ready, we were welcomed to Iceland with a big smile!

Next up Hertz. “Welcome back Ms. Heckel. Because you have rented from us before, we have upgraded you to a KIA hybrid.” A short walk to the car and we were off!

It was a blustery, rainy day. We didn’t care. Exiting the airport, we headed south to drive along the coast as we made our way to Hveragerði , about and hour’s drive away.

But wait. There’s even more welcome to follow. Stay tuned.