As I neared Reykjavík, the worries the city brings came impending over my head with a storm cloud of all the things I needed to do. The country is so simple, with adequate time to do everything you need to do and still find time to just sit still, and enjoy being present; smelling the roses, if you’d like. One thing I’ve realized during this trip is how much my heart yearns for the land, for barefeet in the grass, the smell of moss covered earth, the sound of birds in the morning and crickets at night. I liked when the wind was so strong it blew me over, and when the snow fell in big chunks and the mountains across the bay were made invisible, without a horizon between the sea and sky. I like the extreme heat, and the extreme cold, and whatever whims of the earth. I watched a documentary at the Volcano House in Reykjavík chronicling the 5 month eruption in 1973 as well as the 2010 and 2011 eruptions. There is nothing comparable to the beauty, strength, and majesty of the natural world, including the small moments that humans often make invisible.
The first two nights I stayed in the Bus Hostel. The common room was large and quaint, with vintage furniture, a record player, a small bar, and coffee for 150ISK (amazing!). Two kitchens, private showers, but large rooms. I stayed in a 5 bunk/10 bed dorm - $25USD/night. Unlike my large hostel experience in London, where it was a huge party, people were generally in and out early, going on day trips, etc. Sad Cars also had a hub at the hostel, and I was able to rent a car for $25/day for a small day trip.