Breathtaking landscapes and nothingness for miles on end is what best describes Iceland to me. The land of fire, ice and Game of Thrones is characterized by its glaciers and volcanic activities, endless seeming coast lines and most importantly, its people that make you feel incredibly welcome the moment you set foot on the island.
A recent round trip along the famous Ring Road, starting from the country’s windy South in Reykjavik, has been an eye-opening experience for me in many ways, however, one aspect of the trip stood out. I experienced an incredible feeling of freedom and choice, one I had somehow forgotten existed. A choice of where to turn to and what to do next - it felt so liberating to me, as if I was leaving behind every societal expectation and any form of responsibility that were ever placed upon me.
In our busy lives and jobs, decision making is unfortunately too often dictated by predominantly external factors. Your kids need dropping off at their sports club, dinner needs to be prepared, your boss is waiting for that super-urgent-can’t-wait presentation, a friend needs a favour – and all of a sudden, the day has gone by without any spontaneity. And as the days pass by, bit by bit you somehow start to forget what freedom and choice feel like.
I had the privilege of re-discovering this feeling of spontaneity, freedom and choice in Iceland. Feel like stopping somewhere and going for a stroll because you are gob-smacked by the scenery? Sure thing. Found a remote hot tub in the middle of nowhere and contemplating whether to jump in? Stop contemplating – go for it. Don’t like an overly touristy waterfall? Travel on and find the next adventure. Take a 2-hour hike to a plane wreck (and complain about it all the way there)? Why not, it’s an adventure.
These days where traveling is not an option to escape the boredom and solitude of lockdown or quarantine, I am trying to discover the little adventures within my own for walls and within myself. Feel like buying that overpriced bath salt that promises pure relaxation? My credit card is on board because we both know that a brief escape to the bath tub will make the world look a whole lot brighter… and with a little bit of patience, the next trip to a faraway destination might just be around the corner in 2021.
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