How a Week in Iceland Changed my Life
Posted on 16. Aug, 2011 by Steph in Destinations, Europe, Philosophy, Stories
Everyone seems to remember that moment when they first decided they wanted to travel. Well I don’t. I just started one day, fell into it because I was graduating from college and didn’t know what else to do with myself. There was no a-ha moment for me to tell you about. So instead I will tell you about the time I lost my way, and how Iceland helped me find it again.
Almost a year after I returned home from London I was in a rut. I knew I wanted to do something big, I just didn’t know what. I could backpack around South East Asia, I could get a working holiday visa and head to Australia, I could try in earnest to get a job in the United Kingdom, I could do so many things. I had a lot of potential ideas and no focus, so instead I continued working 9-5, online dating stupid dudes and generally being very bored.
I did have one thing going for me: my friend Liz and I were planning a trip to Iceland with our tax refund money. Why Iceland? I don’t really remember. Liz was coming from Europe and I was in the US so I guess we just thought we’d meet in the middle?
In any case it turned out to be a terrific choice. We met at the airport and headed straight to the Blue Lagoon, a man made hot spring outside of Reykjavik. The surrounding landscape was harsh and volcanic, while the steaming water was an unnatural milky blue. It was thoroughly unlike anything I’d ever seen before; it was like taking a bath on the moon.
From there we rented a car and set out to drive the Ring Road- Iceland’s highway 1 which encircles the perimeter of the country, winding through farmland, misty mountains, and devastating deserts. Our little gray Yaris led us from volcanic craters to roaring waterfalls in ten minutes time. We spent the night in charming farm-houses turned hostels. It was the week of the summer solstice and we were so far north that the sun didn’t set once.
It’s not that I ever forgot how much I love to travel, but over the course of the week I started to remember how fun it can be. Seeing absurd things, trying weird new foods, exploring new towns. The joy of discovery and the thrill when something beautiful just takes your breath away.
I remember sitting on the beach in a small town called Vik, on one of the last nights of our trip. It was probably 1am, but the sun was still hanging low in the sky, giving the impression that it was early evening. The beach was black- volcanic sand, which gave it a particularly dramatic look. Staring up at a rock formation known as the three sisters, I simply couldn’t fathom the idea that I would be back at work on Monday. Sitting in an office felt so wrong when there was so much awesome stuff to be seen and discovered. This felt right.
This is starting to sound mega-sappy, so let me step back a bit. I think for many people the idea of long-term (anything more than a week or two) travel is just too abstract. They’d love to do it someday, because it sounds awesome in the same way that writing a novel sounds awesome or learning how to salsa. There’s no real motivation to pursue it now, it would just be nice “someday.”
But you can’t do anything with a “maybe someday.” You can’t save money for it (at least I can’t), you can’t plan for it and you can’t really make it into reality. What Iceland did for me, and what short trips do for quite a few people I think, is turn that vague desire into a pressing need. I am a traveler and I need to explore, move and discover. Kind of like a shark: If I stop swimming I’ll die.
I went home, bought a South East Asia guidebook and stared to get my butt in gear. A couple weeks later I started a travel blog, primarily to keep myself motivated but also to illustrate that the leap from idea to reality isn’t as hard as you think.
42 Responses to “How a Week in Iceland Changed my Life”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- - August 17, 2011
[...] they wanted to travel. Well I don't. I just started one day, fell into it because I was. Read more at travel to Iceland – Google Blog Search CommentsPowered by Facebook [...]
- - December 30, 2011
[...] thought about traveling to Iceland before, but in the past year I had read blog posts from Stephanie and Bethany & Randy who had visited there. I was looking for a different and awesome place to [...]
Leave a Reply
-
Is the American Dream Holding You Back? -
Notes from the Homefront: How much is Too Much (Planning)? Plus! My Itinerary -
What is your Biggest Travel Disappointment? -
Haters Gonna Hate -
We’re All Travelers Here
-
Dogs in South America (Doggie Pics!!!) -
Friday Postcard: Uruguay Sunrise -
Why I’m an Apartment Rental Convert Thanks to Roomorama -
Sushi in South America: an Unlikely Love Story -
Street Art of Valparaíso: A Photo Essay
-
Lauren: The dogs in pics two and three are especially ador...
-
Chrystal McKay: It is SO nice in South America isn't it? The only ...
-
Waegook Tom: Every city in the world should immediately have a ...
-
Steph (@ 20 Years Hence): I've often heard that the biggest rabies threat is...
-
hajzlers: macedonia is missing...
Sheila
16. Aug, 2011
You’re one of my inspirations for long term travel. I remember being frustrated about work just about a year ago and I stumbled on your blog. After reading your posts, it just reinforced my belief that it is possible to leave the cubicle world and follow my dreams.
I agree Iceland can really inspire you and change your life. I’m a bit high maintenance when I travel, but I saw so many people hitchhiking, biking around the island. I felt inspired, I want to be “Hard-core” like them.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Aww thanks, that means a lot. I saw a lot of people biking around Iceland and was amazed! It’s not a very forgiving place.
Seattle Dredge
16. Aug, 2011
Amazing! I’m leaving for a week in Iceland, on Friday! My best friend & I got our tickets with our tax return money too. I wish that we had the time to rent a car and just drive around; I’m super jealous of that part. But, we have a ton of amazing tours lined up
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Yay! can’t wait to hear about it.
Adam
16. Aug, 2011
We’ve talked about this before, but it’s worth mentioning again: Iceland changed my life too! Funny how such a small country can have such a big impact.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Seriously- I’ve heard this from multiple people!
Josh Aggars
16. Aug, 2011
Not sappy at all Steph. Those are all valid points in fact as there’s never one reason or another why we go, I guess sometimes you just need that break from monotinous routine to suddenly realise ‘hey there’s more to this ride than whatever I’ve been doing.’
I had much the same experience once when sat in a small Fiat looking out to sea one morning in Italy. I’m not sure if it was the hangover or the fact I hadn’t slept but I suddenly felt compelled to have more of these ‘it doesn’t matter’ feelings.
Lush post.
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
hangovers can be life changing too!
Shivya
16. Aug, 2011
Wonderfully described, Steph. The pictures alone can convince me to give up everything and go to Iceland. I can only imagine what a beautiful experience it must’ve been for you. Something tells me I’m going to be a regular here
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Thanks! Glad to have you here.
Erin
16. Aug, 2011
Steph, your story sounds exactly like mine (except my muse was Mexico). I’m a few steps behind you, but someday soon I hope to be where you are. Thanks for the inspiration!
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Awesome!
Cailin
16. Aug, 2011
Love the photos! and I so love that I have been to Iceland now too, it really does change a person! Every time I travel I think about being back home in ‘that” reality and I can’t fathom doing it and i cringe at the thought of going home from a trip.
very inspiring you
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
It’s definitely one of my top countries ever.
Emily in Chile
16. Aug, 2011
Those photos are gorgeous! That trip sounds pretty great, just driving through the countryside of Iceland, so I can see how it would have inspired further travels.
Audrey
16. Aug, 2011
I love the diversity you were able to capture through your photos! The scenery is absolutely gorgeous!
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
I swear, I didn’t even do it justice.
Shtina
16. Aug, 2011
Great post! It’s not sappy to say travel was reinvigorating and helped you refocus! The photos are great too, makes me want to dust off my Iceland travel guide…
Cam @ Traveling Canucks
17. Aug, 2011
Iceland looks so amazing! The blue lagoon looks interesting…
Abhijit
17. Aug, 2011
Thanks for being a great inspiration Steph! I remember that the time I started getting interested in travelling and started following travel blogs, somehow your blog was one of the first ones that I started following (and you has started writing it maybe just a month or two before that). Great work!
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
That is really sweet! Thanks for sticking around.
Fiona
17. Aug, 2011
Really well put and so inspirational can relate on many levels- thanks!:) Beautiful photography too:)
Global Basecamps Ali
17. Aug, 2011
Beautiful Pictures! Thanks for sharing your story.
Joya
18. Aug, 2011
Such a great story Stephanie! The act of buying a ticket can set things in motion instead of saying “someday”, at least for me!
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
Definitely- that ticket buying moment is the best!
Martine Dudes on the road
18. Aug, 2011
Great story! Inspiration for travel comes from everywhere… “like taking a bath on the moon” : if that’s not inspiration, I wonder what could be!
The photos are sooo beautiful!
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
thanks!
Alexis
19. Aug, 2011
I just love your articles! i always wanna convince my friends that it’s easier than they think! it’s always “you’re cool for traveling, but i can’t cuz i have no money. i wish.” If i could just pay for their trips once, I would! Cuz I know they’ll get addicted and finally see what they’ve been missing out on.
For me, study abroad was what got me addicted. I went to more countries than I thought I would in a span of three months. Now, I just love finding new adventures. Even if it’s just a 5 hour drive from home. There’s always something to see and do. =)
I wish I could go to Iceland! But maybe…no. Definitely someday!
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
I always try to encourage my friends as well but I think you never really get it until you try it yourself.
Scott - Quirky Travel Guy
20. Aug, 2011
Great post! Iceland has been at the top of my wish list for some time. It looks like there’s even more to see than I realized.
jenjenk
21. Aug, 2011
Beautiful shots! 10 years ago when I first started traveling through Europe in earnest, my friend suggested we go to Iceland, which I had laughed at. Now I wish we would have, when the US dollar was stronger!
After seeing your post, perhaps 2012 is the year for me to go!
Steph
21. Aug, 2011
I hope you do!
gayE @ pinaytraveljunkie
21. Aug, 2011
“But you can’t do anything with a “maybe someday.” – Indeed! The photos are awesome, and I’ve added Iceland to my overflowing bucket list.
ayan
21. Aug, 2011
i hope that “someday” come sooner than later. i need to gather funds first =)
Gladys/ByahengBarok
21. Aug, 2011
Great photos! I hope, someday, I can go there and shoot landscapes!
Greg
22. Aug, 2011
Wow, great post. This struck a chord with me, you are an inspiration. I too fell into travel, leaving a job, being bored etc. I don’t believe it was a calling but my round the world trip has left me addicted. I just got back from 2 days midweek in Gothenburg, Sweden before going back to work the next day! People said I was crazy but I have the same desire you have described….
Steph
29. Aug, 2011
Thanks! I really wish I lived close enough to run off to Sweden for a night!
Heather
30. Aug, 2011
I love this post! I have been working towards my goal of permanent traveling for over 3 years now and I will be leaving in 4-6 months! I just started my blog a couple months ago to help keep me motivated and keep my mind on my travels! I’m loving your blog! Thank you!
Steph
04. Sep, 2011
That’s awesome! Good for you for staying focused- it will be so worth it.
Becky
08. Sep, 2011
What an inspiring article, and such amazing photos! I lived abroad as a kid and travelled a lot around Asia, but it looks like there’s a lot to be said for Europe too.