Iceland: A Retrospective

As we near the end of the year, I reflect upon dreams which have been fulfilled and ones which are still in the beginning stages. Travelling is one of my many passions, which influence, guide, and teach me. I have been pulled to travel to many corners of the earth for various reasons. Artwork describing the ancient grounds of a city in Tulum, Mexico,  a book reflecting on how it felt to walk on cobblestone roads in Vienna, Austria, or an artifact deep from the Baltic Sea led me to explore the Northern shores of Poland. I am inspired to travel; my body and mind require it to feel spirited. I had the opportunity to travel and volunteer in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2011 with World Wide Friends. I was working alongside young people from all over the world, from different cultural backgrounds and personal experiences. We gathered each night and reflected on the day’s events, how great it felt being in a community, being creative, and sharing our talents for a culminating project of a Film Festival. There were nightly outings into town and weekend excursions that took us deep into the Icelandic geography, history, and culture. The experience was breathtaking to say the least; and it left me with a comfortable loss of words, they were not needed. The silence and smiles were shared. This mutual feeling was unifying, it was an indication of our understanding of the sacred. Experiencing Iceland’s bounty made being in the here and now simple. The constant awe that I felt deep inside vibrated for a long time, even after I came home. I soon began to paint the landscapes I saw, the sketches I drew, and the memories I recalled. To think that the journey began all because of a postcard makes me grateful for my impressionable ways and for the beating heart that lives deep in Iceland.