Iceland
A Majestic and Strange Land that Changed My Life
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” — Henry Miller
I must admit I’m not well-traveled. I have graced my fair share of large cities, beaches, clubs and attractions throughout the United States, but for the most part I have failed to explore the rest of the world. I don’t believe twenty-five is an old age by any means, however it was just last year on my twenty-fifth birthday when I realized I should start exploring because I’m unsure how much more opportunity I will have to do so in the future. Life does happen. Perhaps it was a “quarter life crisis” or the fact that I have been employed behind a screen for so long. Perhaps it was a fear of being unfamiliar or a fear of positioning myself in a zone of discomfort. I think most of all I was good at making excuses for myself not to travel. Then I discovered Earth Porn (http://www.reddit.com/r/earthporn).
I grazed through hundreds of images of places so surreal, so foreign to what I was accustomed to. I was taken back by beauty that I was certain could not be reality. The curiosity, delight and seduction of these images continued to build until one day I came across a photo of Seljalandsfoss, Iceland. I was fixated on it. It was quite possibly the most beautiful photo I’d ever seen. It captured the feeling of serenity I was sincerely longing for. I needed a change, even just for a week. I needed inspiration, even if it meant abandoning technology for a little while.
I called a good friend of mine as I knew he too would be intrigued. Within a month, my ticket was bought. This was it. We were going to Iceland.
It’s hard to put into words just how majestic Iceland is. It’s without doubt the most beautiful environment I have ever witnessed. I spent my days traveling throughout the south coast, while calling Reykjavík home. I slept sparingly as I was overstimulated and excited almost the entire time. I did my best to engulf myself in the culture, nature and spirit of Iceland.
I wandered neighborhoods, towns and villages throughout the capitol and southern coast.
I witnessed mountains, glaciers, valleys, ocean and and landscapes that only previously resided in my dreams.
I ate food that I otherwise never would have. I drank concoctions that I probably will never again drink.
I conversed in one language and fell in love with another. I met people who told me stories that I will tell for time to come.
I experienced what absolute darkness is, subjected only to indiscernible sounds of droplets falling from the ceilings of inside earth.
I felt the immense power of water and wind, so ominous, raw and captivating all at once, from the savage ocean to beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout the land. I saw the depths of the earth, through the clearest water imaginable, shaped by an array of colorful rock seen only in National Geographic.
I experienced a world unimaginable to me. Yes, I even saw the set of Game of Thrones. I felt isolated yet welcomed all at once. Iceland was a fascinating and enjoyable discovery of what it means to be human. It was exactly what I was looking for.
I write this six months after my visit to Iceland not to encourage others to visit (though I do, every day) but because the images, feelings and sensations provided by that experience continue to burn into my mind. Iceland reintroduced me to the good in human beings and the grace of mother nature.
The Icelandic people are, by far, the nicest and most accommodating people I have ever met. The Icelandic landscape is unfiltered and wild, the epitome of earth in its purest form.
The Icelandic culture is as beautiful as it is strange, constantly adapting and progressing yet always retaining even the oddest aspects of their history and tradition.
However, the most important takeaway from my trip is the lesson learned: traveling is not about being somewhere else but about seeing the world differently. As a designer, this is absolutely valuable. The inspiration and newly attained perspective that Iceland provided me is remarkable.
I’d recommend that you visit Iceland because I feel nothing compares to it, but remember I also admitted I’m not well-traveled. So instead I’m going to recommend you just go. Go anywhere and everywhere. If there’s somewhere that sounds like a dream to you, it probably is and you’re making a mistake by not living it.
