Part-way up Mount Esja, the weather goes from poor to bad.
Editor on the way back after coming out of a deep fog, that is, a natural fog not her own.
We enjoyed an uneventful journey from San Diego to Reykjavik, Iceland over a little more than a 12-hour period.
In a somewhat contradictory statement, the use of enjoyed and uneventful seems out of sync. However, when we have
little or no drama on a plane trip, we consider it a great success. We would not be surprised to learn that many
of our friends might share a similar sentiment. As a plug for the airline, the service provided by Delta exceeded
that which we are accustomed to in America. Sitting for long stretches, gives one time to be…bored. After putting
down a book, we thought a little of airplanes and the industry. In a way, that was hardly surprising as we jetted
above the clouds. We will share our idea next time as we have to get going before the sun sets or is it, rises...
forget it, we're so mixed up over in this most northern capital of the world.
Moving up the mountain, turning to face Reykjavik and the bays.
Editor moves up over boulder-covered mountain face.
After two days in Iceland, we realize we have not reached a level where we might be considered experts in
understanding the country. However, that’s never hampered us. After three days, we’ll probably have reached
the mark, though. Don't you love our humility? The first thing we noticed is that although the sun supposedly
set sometime during early Thursday morning (Wednesday’s sun), it never got dark. We paused for deep thought
and reflection. We think we understand the issue. We should mention that the weather is mostly cloudy with a
constant breeze interspersed with periodic gusts of wind and light drizzle. It is, of course, summer so the
temperature has not been above the mid-forties in two days. So plenty of light, no sunshine, bright or otherwise.
We have yet to remove our sunscreen lotion from our luggage. As an aside, we realized too late that we brought
flashlights—should be quite useful when (if) we find a dark spot.
Sparkling, cold water flows briskly down the mountain.
Before the weather turned from cold and windy...some lovely colored flora.
The hike was enjoyable despite, as one local gentleman mentioned, exceptionally high winds. We hope his judgment is correct for if this is the norm, we're in for a rough ride. It was cold, with an occasional drizzle and winds that were constantly brisk and gusts that were dangerous. On a few occasions, we hit the deck to avoid being blown off the mountain. It sounds dramatic but it's quite frightening to feel the jacket fluttering violently like a sail while the body wants to lift. 'Keep your feet on the ground' took on a whole new meaning for us. The thick fog caused us to turn around after 2,100 feet as visibility had been reduced to a few feet.
Suffice to say, summer which began on June 30th, looks like it ended on 4th July. The only reason American independence day is not celebrated in Iceland is because how would anyone ignite a barbeque in such winds.
The water indicates the velocity of the wind, 'fast and furious'.
The answer regarding the weak but everlasting light is unknown to the locals although obvious to objective
deep thinkers. If the sun is forced to be visible the whole day, then surely it’s not likely to work diligently.
Rather, it paces itself while having to provide quantity at the cost of quality. Obviously, should one want more light,
the quality is going diminish—it’s axiomatic. After all, the sun is only human…um…a star. Therein lies the issue which
is missed on the population who live part of the year in light, part in darkness and hopefully, not in confusion.
Editor walks 'blind' as she tries to keep her clothing on, in blistering winds. Having a lot of fun,
wish you were here.
We were rather disappointed when we woke at 2am on Thursday to find the editor missing. Where could she be?
We wondered. After a preliminary search in the toilet, a great favorite of hers at night, we strode out onto
the balcony. There she lay in her bikini. Apparently, she has always had a desire to tell her friends that she
sunbathed at that hour of the day. For the record, her color looked icy-blue rather than brown. However, what
do we know?
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Doesn't look like he enjoyed much relief in downtown Reykjavik. This is where Reagan met Gorbachev
some years ago. Well, not exactly outside this toilet but in the city.
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