Adventure Boldly

Jackie's big, bold adventure in summer of 2015

[adventureboldy]

So much goodness in Barcelona

I have been soaking up all the richness of this city since I arrived last Monday night. The blend of the Spanish and Catalan languages, so many people from all over the world, tapas for hours, narrow cobblestone streets and that potent sewer smell that lets me know I'm in a real city. :) Maddy and I pulled a couple of all-nighters this past week, one of which ended with watching the sunrise from Parc Güell. We took naps in the sun resulting in toasty burns and funny tan lines. We danced in tutus in the Pride parade, and took luxurious naps. Life has been good here. We got our hair dyed. We got manicures and pedicures. We pampered ourselves. Maddy was actually the driving force behind it, as well as the generous one who paid for it. She's been my guardian angel travel buddy. She went home on Monday, which felt like a loss. But, I have been coping. ;) Last night I attended a webinar version of a Landmark seminar. We were in conversation with groups from Cypress, Slovenia, Scotland, Turkey, and Ireland. It's truly a gift to be here. Everyday I meet someone new, I find a new park or café, I get a new layer to this tan, I walk many more blocks, and simply revel in the beauty of life. I love and miss you all. Simultaneously, I am very happy to be here. :D What I've been listening to: http://youtu.be/S3fTw_D3l10 http://youtu.be/8ib-GoS33gg http://youtu.be/-Jp2wNF1rkM What I've been watching: so many buzzfeed videos, including: http://youtu.be/BZV4RWjv7C0 (shout out to my awesome mom!) http://youtu.be/jATdqhYhWU0 http://youtu.be/DIPL1ZMdu0g

[adventureboldy]

Barcelona Pride Parade - 6.27.15 With same-sex marriage legalized in the U.S. the day before, I really felt the pride of being an American in the parade. Maddy and I met up with my friend Joseph who lives here in Barcelona, as well as my friends Rebeca, Walter, Glenda and Grace. It was a beautiful, sweaty, colorful time had by all. We got to march with BCN Checkpoint - a community organization which checks gay men for STDs including HIV. Plus, an amazing band! http://www.bcncheckpoint.com/

[adventureboldy]

6/9/15.

A short walk from our cabin takes us by some Icelandic ponies, across some streams and down into a magical valley.

The walk today does not compare to the walk yesterday, however, when it was raining and windy, and we walked halfway around the lake on a hunt for the cafe that we were told had waffles. We were completely soaked, and two and a half hours later we arrived. We got waffles and hot cocoa, and wifi. Then we thumbed ourselves a ride back to the cabin where we each took a hot shower and got back down to business with some serious leisure reading. :]

[adventureboldy]

Sunday 6/7 - Tuesday 6/9.

Our cabin overlooking Lake Meðalfellsvatn. Clean, quiet and peaceful. We lazed about, read, and just reeeeeelaxed.

[adventureboldy]

Sunday 6/7/15.

Stefi, our host here in Reykjavik, has graciously offered for us to stay in her cabin outside the city for some time. We decide on two nights. There is no wifi, so my wish comes true of not being on my phone much. 

These pictures are from our drive out there.

This is where we stayed: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1432949

Maddy and I read, listened to music, made food and on Monday decided to take a walk around the lake to the Cafe for waffles.

[adventureboldy]

Another nighttime walk, after the sun had set already. So, about 1am.

[adventureboldy]

6/6/15

You could say we like our chocolate.

Also, my boots with residue from the color run.

[adventureboldy]

#thecolorruniceland

Saturday, 6/6/15. Iceland´s first ever Color Run.

It was sold out, so we didn´t get to run, but I was really only there for the color anyway. =]

[livinlikeacat]

[adventureboldy]

#thecolorruniceland

Saturday, 6/6/15. Iceland´s first ever Color Run.

It was sold out, so we didn´t get to run, but I was really only there for the color anyway. =]

[livinlikeacat]

[adventureboldy]

#thecolorruniceland

Saturday, 6/6/15. Iceland´s first ever Color Run.

It was sold out, so we didn´t get to run, but I was really only there for the color anyway. =]

[bodhisattva-within-deactivated2]

Everything you want is coming. Relax and let the universe pick up the timing and the way. You just need to trust that what you want is coming, and watch how fast it comes.

(via jsavannah)

[adventureboldy]

Land of the Midnight Sun

After a 7-hour nap at my new home, I took a walk. There photos were all taken between 11pm and 12am. #onlyinIceland #sofarnorth #daytimeallnight

[adventureboldy]

Land of the Midnight Sun

After a 7-hour nap at my new home, I took a walk. There photos were all taken between 11pm and 12am. #onlyinIceland #sofarnorth #daytimeallnight

[adventureboldy]

Land of the Midnight Sun

After a 7-hour nap at my new home, I took a walk. There photos were all taken between 11pm and 12am. #onlyinIceland #sofarnorth #daytimeallnight

[adventureboldy]

Land of the Midnight Sun

After a 7-hour nap at my new home, I took a walk. There photos were all taken between 11pm and 12am. #onlyinIceland #sofarnorth #daytimeallnight

[adventureboldy]

After a 7-hour nap at my new home, I took a walk. There photos were all taken between 11pm and 12am. #onlyinIceland #sofarnorth #daytimeallnight

[adventureboldy]

Blessings for the journey

Once I landed, passed through customs and got my backpack, I walked out into the parking lot of Keflavik International Airport. I asked a few people which road led to Reykjavik. And then I started to walk. After a few cars passed by, I stuck out my thumb and put on a smile. Within one minute, a woman picked me up in a green Subaru. Her name was Anna and she was getting off work as a security guard at KEF to go home and be with her sick kiddo. She told me she could only give me a ride part of the way towards Reykjavik. She gave me some suggestions for what to do while in Iceland and blessed me on my journey before dropping me off a little ways down the road.

So I stuck my thumb out and put my smile on. Within two minutes after she dropped me off, a sweet couple picked me up in their red rental Honda Fit. Elizabeth and Kyle from Colorado. Together we used our maps and phones to get us to downtown Reykjavik.

We parked the car and walked down Laugavegur, the main shopping street until we found a little cafe. We all went inside, hooked up to wifi and had a little snack. Inside we met a nice woman from Germany named Stefanie - who was just wrapping up a trip of going Around the World in 40 Days. We all talked about bucket lists and where we are traveling to next. We finished up and paid, Elizabeth and Kyle covering my pastry with big smiles. We said goodbye to Stefanie and took our walk back down to the car.

Where we parked happened to be a block from the bus station I needed to go to. So, we walked there, they blessed me on my journey, and I took the bus to my new Icelandic home. : ]