Author: cometsgirl

Waking up in Holmavik in the Westfjords this morning, I realized the memo about visiting Holmavik in September had gone missing. 

The memo that announced the “closing” of the town on August 21. While I was viewing the eclipse at home, this town of 375 souls was preparing for the coming winter, when there will be just 4-5 hours of daylight. 

One of the two restaurants closed. The grocery store reduced its hours and no longer served breakfast in its cafe. The laundromat ceased operations. The hotel would issue an additional key to be used to open the hotel when returning to your room after looking for food and services. 

Surprisingly, we found a real bustle of activity at the church just down the road. As we walked around the church taking photos, cars swarmed into the parking area. It was time for choir practice! We were amazed at the number gathering in this town that otherwise had ceased opportunities to gather. 

Holmavikkirka was open for the business of singing. Indeed. 

Now I shall turn on the car music system, and sing my way south. 

Traveling mercies. 

Today we traversed across north Iceland to the Westfjords, an all day drive as we poked along, stopping for photo ops and short walks. 

We left Akureyri in the rain. 

We were in and out of rain and sunshine. 

The photographs describe the drive far better than words. 

Now settled in Holmavik, we have decided this is too remote and empty a place to remain more than tonight. We just need to have greater community surrounding than we have found here. Besides, most businesses have closed and there is not a cappuccino to be had! We’ve arranged for lodging tomorrow night back in “civilization”.

For now we are bedded down in the Wesrfjords. 

Traveling mercies. 

Today was waterfalls day. Up early, for us, we headed east across two peninsulas. Destination waterfalls.  

This was a beautiful day for a road trip.

Up first, Goðafoss. Flowing through a lava field,  the falls are an important part of Iceland’s history. At the National Assembly in the year 1000, the law speaker, Þorgeir, was forced to make a decision on Iceland’s religion. After 24 hours of meditation, he declared the country Christian. On his way home he passed the waterfall near his farm, and tossed in his pagan carvings of the Norse gods. Hence the name, Godafoss. 

On the 1000th year anniversary of Christianity in Iceland, þðrgeirskirkja (church) was erected nearby the falls

We discovered  blueberries were ripe for the picking alongside the path to the falls. 

On the drive to the next waterfall, we came across an area of thermal energy fields. The scene was “other-worldly”, and had a really strong smell of sulphur. 

About an hour’s drive on down Route 1, we arrived at Dettifoss. A 2.5 kilometer path led to the falls. 

This one of Iceland’s most impressive falls, with 400 cu meters of water thundering over the falls every second. 

Selfoss, located not far from Dettifoss, and along the same river was beautiful as well. 

Returning to Akureryi, we came upon Iceland’s version of fall. 

 Tomorrow we head to the Westfjords. Traveling mercies. 

In an earlier blog, I spoke of having perks and privileges  in my life. I wondered what I might do with that privilege. 

Yesterday, while visiting the Lutheran church in village of Ólafsfjörður, and talking with Pastor Sigríður Munda Jönsdöttir, I learned about an outreach program they have with children in the community once a week. The children have recreation, snacks, and are taught about church in the manner we would consider Sunday School. 

Of particular interest to me was how the children of this outreach program, have an outreach of their own. They collect gently used toys, hand knit items, and candy to be sent to children in “white Russia”.  I understand this area to be Belarus. 

I made a donation to this effort. I’m intrigued to learn more about this when I return home. 

This day’s intent was to sustain my soul. And, oh my, was my soul fed!

The day began with breakfast where I made my own waffle and brewed my own cappuccino. Kind of a do-it-yourself meal. 

After breakfast we walked down the hill to Akureyrarkirka, the Lutheran church in town. Morning worship began with a climb up 100 steps to the church entrance. 

Worship, led by a chick priest, was a children’s service to welcome the children in the parish back to Sunday School. Lively and filled with folk mass music, the children and the priest sang, danced, and prayed. It was charming. We visited with her following the service, talking about the importance of children worshiping IN the church. 

Following church we set off on a road trip around the Tröllaskagi peninsula.  We were treated with amazing vistas and views. 

We stopped along the way to visit a beautiful little church in the tiny town of Hörgársveit. 

From there it was up the eastern side of the peninsula. The drive included several tunnels through the mountain. 

Gobsmacking scenery. 

In the village of Ólafsfjörður we stopped to visit Ólafsfjörðurkirkja, only to find another chick Lutheran priest. She and Beth had a lovely conversation. I chimed in occasionally. As we prepared to leave, the suggestion was made that we three pray the Lord’s Prayer. Standing, holding hands, we prayed in English and Icelandic. Beth and I used separate versions of the prayer, so three prayer voices were heard at the same time. With a resounding Amen, we all shared a “moment”. 

From there we continued to the very top of the peninsula. We stopped for cappuccino/lattes and sat outside to enjoy. 

Continuing down the western side, we were further gobsmacked. 

Returning to the hotel just before dark, we are hoping for Northern Lights this night. They were a no-show last night. 

Today’s sustenance included food for the mind and for the body. 

The abundance continued this day. 

Breakfast at the hotel with a lovely view of the outside patio, covered and colored by the rain. 

We then walked down a somewhat steep hill to town, knowing the return later in the day would be a challenge. Up and down the hill, along with a day of walking around town, was food for the physical well-being of my body.  Besides, I needed to break in my new hiking shoes. 

 A visit to the Akureyi Museum of Art was food for the mind. 

The exhibit Balanced-Unbalanced by Rúrí – Jafnvægi-Úr Jafnvægi, “put art on the scales”. The scales weigh human history and the history of earth.  Rúrí questions “the inconsistent relationships between e.g. economy and water resources, war and peace”.  It was time well spent viewing her interpretion of balance. 

 Stemning, a photography exhibit by photographer Friðgeir Helgason, captured road trips he had made in Iceland and Louisiana. Similarities in colors and the environment were surprisingly evident. 

A light lunch of creamed vegetable soup and home baked bread fed my body, tempering some of the recent food ‘excesses”.

Dishes stacked awaiting to be filled with soup was art in its own way. 

Shopping provided me the opportunity to support local artists. 

Even shopping in the supermarket was a chance to support local businesses. 

Sunset provided treats for my spirit. 

We were told that the Northern Lights were a possibility this night. Stay tuned. 

For now, as they say here when parting, Bless bless. 

I have returned. It feels wonderful!

The clouds and sunrise during descent were magnificent. 

First stop upon arrival, cappuccino/latte time.

Our destination today was Akureyri, in the far north. Drive time was to be about five hours but with our style of travel it took nine. Lots to see along this unfamiliar route. We did pull over twice on the drive for 15 minute power naps. Amazing how fast we can fall asleep and just as amazing how rejuvenated we felt. 

I thought about sustenance today. Sustenance of body and soul. This day I filled up on both. 

Food for the body. 

Breakfast was served just after midnight on the flight. ABUNDANCE. 

Fish and chips for lunch, and ice cream for dinner. Hey, I’m on vacation. 

Food for the soul. 

The views I saw today filled me to the brim. 

Landscapes and vistas on an extraordinary scale. 

Sheep and Icelandic horses. 

Now it is time for rest. The Lord Almighty grant us all a peaceful night and a perfect end. 

much is expected. Luke 12:36. 

Pondering at high altitude, reminded me that my obligation is about much more than switching airline seats. It’s about having a voice to speak on behalf of; it’s about having the means to provide for. 

I recall a good conversation some time ago about these words.  I’m thinking about that discourse as I consider, what am I going to do with my privilege?

Each time I travel, I am intentional about seeing local needs. Food pantries, shelters for the homeless and the lost, children without a voice.  It’s been such a good practice, coloring my experience in each locale. 

This is where I begin. 

Welcome to Iceland. 

Shuttled to International terminal, then a streamlined security check, I arrived at Delta’s international lounge.  First up – cappuccino and The NY Times. 

I’m struck by the “power” of assigned levels of travel. Honors, precheck, gold, elite, first.  The sense of privilege. Upgrade is often something I seek. And receive. 

It does make travel smoother and reduces the stress experienced by many in this day of travel. But do I “deserve” this? Have I “earned” these distinctions? Well, no. Not really.

How am I to offer some privilege to others? I think it begins with treating all whose paths intersect with mine with dignity and grace. 

And…I could give up my first class seat with someone in the way back of the plane. Oh my, I just am unable to do that. That’s a hard truth, not a good reflection of whom I want to be. 

I’m definitely a work in progress. I’ve got a long way to go and hopefully not a short time to get there. 

In the meantime I’m at 35,000 feet headed to JFK, pondering.

Traveling mercies. 

At last! The day to begin the long-awaited, and sometimes disrupted, return trip to Iceland has arrived. There has been much preparation over the past nine months.  Along with the preparation has come uncertainty and then necessary changes to the itinerary.

It comes as no surprise that I have felt buffered about because of the uncertainly, and the belief that crushing disappointment was headed my way. Looking back at other crushing disappointments, I can see that what then followed was surprisingly positive. It has been helpful for me to recognize this as I buffer about.  Also helpful was good conversation I had just as I was to embark on my return trip to Iceland. 

 My bags are packed. My last-minute tasks are completed. I am soon to be on my way. I can’t begin to say how much travel fills my life, my heart, my soul. I am gifted beyond measure by the ability to trek around the country and around the world.

I’m checked in for my flight to JFK and on to Reykjavik. 

Evan drove me to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport, where my traveling friend, Beth, arrived from her flood-disrupted life in Houston.  We three dined together at the Urban Foodie Feed Store not far from the airport.

Evan has now headed for the hills and I am settled into the hotel for the night. Tomorrow I’ll be on my way back to Iceland!

Traveling mercies.