When my dad announced to my family that he thought Iceland would be a great place to visit, I was immediately eager. I love to travel and see new places, so why not go on another adventure? I have been fortunate enough to have also been to Morocco this summer to do community service, which was amazing. Therefore, two international trips are a dream come true for a traveling junkie like me.
Iceland is truly a BEAUTIFUL country. It is green, clean, and lean…literally. Iceland’s pollution is minimal for the most part and so is its crime rate. The country is kind to the earth and is energy smart by using geothermal heating to warm up a lot of the country. Additionally, many people there are lean because they are exposed to so many different kinds of fresh fish. The country is filled with fishermen, farmers, and open land. However, a lot of the locals eat whales there, which to me is sad. Whales are such an endangered species, but apparently, they do not have such a shortage of whales there. I know this because I went whale watching! It truly was such a glorious experience. For several hours, I went on a boat in the water, which was surrounded by breathtaking mountains, and I had the opportunity to see whales. This pivotal point of my trip was so special because I was able to see whales in their natural habitat, which is a lot cooler than Sea World, where animals may not always be treated nicely. Aside from seeing whales, I saw dolphins and puffins, which are commonly found birds in Iceland that are also sadly eaten by many residents. At the end of the boat ride, I was provided with delicious hot chocolate and a freshly made cinnamon bun, which was nice because the weather was somewhat chilly particularly on the water. The weather in Iceland in the summer is typically in the 50’s and low 60’s Fahrenheit, and their winters are actually warmer than some New York winters. Despite Iceland’s large snow accumulation, the temperature typically does not go beyond freezing in the winter.
Another fond memory I have of the trip, besides eating lots of yummy seafood, is watching the European Cup. I am not the biggest soccer/football fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed immersing in the culture through the sport. Soccer truly unifies many Europeans, and this was no different for the Icelanders. Soccer is extremely popular in most countries except for America. Not to say that it isn’t played or watched in America, but most Americans do not appreciate soccer the way other countries do. When I was in Reykjavik, which is Iceland’s capital, I was able to watch a game of Iceland playing in the European Cup being projected on a large screen in the town square. It was so fascinating to see both locals and tourists come together to cheer on Iceland and to bond over their mutual passion and love for Iceland. I wish America had more intimate areas where people are able to join forces and come together over a common interest. People were kindly sharing a beer with other people at this event, and a sense of unity and togetherness overcame me. Of course, some people were drunk at this event, but I could tell that in the Icelandic culture, people do not typically use sports as an excuse to become drunk. Rather, they have a genuine attraction to the sport.
I admired such natural beauty in Iceland from geysers to mountains to bodies of water, but I also made two great friends. I met a girl named Jenna, who is from Holland and who was traveling with her mother in Iceland. I also met Erla, an Icelandic native who is probably more American than me. Erla is a theater student in New York City and was home for the summer to make some money! I am so grateful for the people who I have met. Part of the beauty of traveling is being exposed to a new culture and new people. I think that Iceland is a place that all people must go to relax and appreciate nature. However, wherever you travel, remember to keep an open mind, try new things, and be willing to make new friends.
