Thank You Iceland

When people travel, I believe it is a common occurrence to have the conversation with yourself that this trip changed my life. As Anthony Bourdain once said "Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life—and travel—leaves marks on you." However, all too often, people return from their worldly adventures and quickly fall back into their normal pattern of living.  

Iceland, the land of ice and fire thoroughly changed my life, and that change will remain permanent. I think of my trip regularly, dream of it, and plan my next return. In my opinion, Iceland cannot be described in one word and it's hard to explain to people at all. Sure, it is windy, rainy, cold, and sometimes a barren volcanic wasteland, those are mere descriptive words of the environment but not truly what Iceland is. Iceland is something that can only be captured by visiting, you simply just must go.

Only in Iceland can you stand in a volcanic ash desert with cooled magma heaps for as far as the eye can see but then drive a few miles and the landscape completely change to a soften world where every rock is coated in a thick layer of moss of varying shades of green. To feel as if one has stepped out of the world we know into The Shire, Mordor or The Vale of Game of Thrones. To walk on one of the largest glaciers in the world Vatnajökull or to stand above Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe is something that you must witness to believe.

Iceland is a place that one can't help but fall in love with and a deep burning love at that. The love of the ever-changing scenery, the culture, the people, the food, the folklore, Icelandic horses and the always changing weather, even the wind. Traveling Iceland is one of the most humbling experiences thus far in my life and I don't foresee another adventure creating the same impact on me.

Thank you Iceland, you have changed my life.