Iceland - Day 9 - In Which Our Hero Slips In Some Mud

 Day 9 - October 5

I woke up early and decided to have a cup (or 3) of tea. I had a wonderful conversation with a man from Israel. I'm still uncomfortable telling people I'm on disability, so I told him that I'm between jobs and traveling while I can. Anyone who knows me knows how hard it is for me to lie, but this is one situation in which I find no trouble in such things.

It was a quarter til 8 when I realized that I was supposed to be at the bus station at 8 and not at the stop by my guesthouse. I didn't have time to catch a bus or cab, so I called the tour company and they changed my pickup location, without hesitation. It was 10 til 8 when I realized that I left my mask in my room, so I had to rush up there to retrieve it. Thankfully, I made it back in time to be picked up.

It was 8:21 when I realized that I left my big camera and my phone charger in my room. All of my photos would have to be taken on my phone. Thankfully, it has a fantastic camera...or 4. Well, at least the tour bus has decent leg room.

The trip began with us driving outside of the city, and through an underwater tunnel. It bypasses a scenic fjord, but we had a long trip ahead of us and the fjord would have taken us an extra 50 or so minutes. We made an unplanned stop at some basalt columns, where people hiked up muddy hills to get pictures between columns. I couldn't make it all the way up. My trekking poles lost their traction tips at the mountain on day 7. I don't know where their stoppers are, so if I stick them in the ground they may go all the way down. Oh...and I decided to wear my loafers today because I didn't think we'd really do any hiking. I slipped in some mud and had to rub the seat of my pants on a mossy rock to clean up. This was all before we made our first planned stop that wasn't just for food and bathrooms. At least the wild blueberries I ate weren't bad.

We stopped at a beach to see some seals, but in order to get to that side I'd have had to walk across a piece of driftwood that didn't look too trustworthy. I stayed behind and watched seabirds pick at a whale that's been beached for two months. It was morbidly majestic.

We stopped at a ranch, where I met a few horses. One loved being pet on and even rested their head on me, returning the affection. One tried to bite me. Not my necklace or coat. Me. It tried to bite me. Hopefully someone steals it and turns it into dog food or glue or something. The friendly one is the best horse in existence and I'll hear no different! While there, we stopped for lunch. I met a very kind woman who bore an unfortunate resemblance to Katie Hopkins.

Next we stopped at a black church. (Black as in color, not race of congregation.) We took a few photos and then headed to a small fishing village, where I saw some of the most beautiful things I've seen all trip. These large stone islands and arches in the water. Then we headed to a beach, where I just stayed in the bus with the driver, Siggi. We had some great conversations.

From there, we went to see Arrowhead Mountain (Kirkjufell) which was featured in Game of Thrones. That was it. We headed back to Reykjavik and played The Immigrant Song, as we entered the city. Siggi was so much fun and I wish he had been my guide on everything. I kid you not.

- Lance J. M.