July 22, 2018
8:13 PM HST
Sorry I didn’t blog for the last day; we had so many things
going on and I wanted to absorb as much of Iceland as I could rather than use
up my time blogging. I made it safe home, but before I go into all of that I
will pick up where I left off.
We left Hofsos early in the morning on Friday and headed
back to Reykjavik. We stopped along the way to see Grábrók crater, which was
really pretty and had an amazing view. We walked around for about 45 minutes
since we had been driving for about 3 hours. We took a few pictures and then
made the final stretch to Reykjavik.
Bessastaðir is where we got to meet the president of
Iceland! There was pretty much no security; just one body guard- very different
from the white house in the US. He greeted us each individually, and then
brought us in for coffee and cakes. He was very very kind, and was very happy
to have us. He made sure that we knew that we are always welcome in Iceland! Then
he gave us a tour of the house and a brief history of the land it was built on.
Some of the original settlers lived at Bessastaðir, and they found some old
foundation and bones underneath the house when they were trying to redo the
floors a few years back! They decided to keep it as is, and they made the
basement into a little museum to preserve the historical value. After the tour we
headed back to the hotel where we had our graduation ceremony. All of the
Snorri participants had presentations that they had prepared, and we each got
certificates, a rune necklace and a Snorri T-shirt! I personally did my
presentation on Icelandic art since I am an artist and I worked at an art
museum. I also drew a little drawing and printed off copies for everyone to
have J
After the ceremony we had dinner, and then headed to the blue lagoon.
The blue lagoon was MAGICAL! It was very fancy. The lagoon
is really really blue- all the pictures you see of it online aren’t
photoshopped- it really is that blue! It was HUGE. I think its actually the
largest natural hot tub in the world. They had stands that you could swim up to
and get a complimentary silica clay mask for your face, and they had different
ones for purchase. There was also a bar you could swim up to and get smoothies,
slushies, soda, beer or wine! We all sat and relaxed and enjoyed the last night
we all had together. It was so perfect; the sky had been very blue all day with
minimal clouds, and we got a wonderful sunset that painted the sky as we were
wading in the lagoon.
After the lagoon closed we went back to the hotel and
hungout until we couldn’t open our eyes anymore. Most of us stayed up until 3-4
AM. It’s really been amazing being able to make such good friends with everyone
I have met in Iceland. Though I LOVE Iceland’s nature, the most powerful part
of this whole experience has been making connections with family. All of us
participants are cousins; most pretty distant but family nevertheless.
Going to the airport the next morning was very emotional. I
didn’t want to leave. Not going to lie, I cried. This has been the most amazing
experience of my life. I have met some amazing people whom I have made lifelong
connections with, was able to experience and see the land of my ancestors- the
list goes on. I really cannot express how amazing this has been. I left a huge
chunk of my heart in Iceland, and I cannot wait until I get to go back. I know
for a fact that I will go there as much as possible. I am hoping that maybe I
can do some study abroad program there in the near future, but if that doesn’t
end up working out I still am going to go back to visit family and friends.
The journey back home was LOOOOONG. I traveled for a total
of 28 hours. I took as many naps as I could and drank a lot of coffee to get
through it. I am still thrown off from jet lag; Hawaii is 10 hours behind
Iceland so I’m not 100% yet. It’s nice to be home, I do love Maui, but I am
already missing Iceland. I will never forget all the amazing times and people I
met!!
Till next time Iceland… Ég elska þig á Íslandi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
