Frosted Pink Cheeks

by Sushreta Gidwani (India)

A leap into the unknown Iceland

Welcome to the most Nordic Island country; the land of Fire and Ice- Iceland. While the whole world in my world was convulsed with excitement in their own lives, I was in Iceland ready to chill, explore and discover myself. Driving around Iceland is like you're confronted by a new soul-enriching, life-affirming natural beauty every goddamn minute as you drive on roads that take you into this enchanting wilderness! :) It's my second day, and I've reached Thingvellir National Park to experience snorkelling at Silfra, the country's most cherished wonders. I was late, and before I knew, I was listening to instructions from my guide Dimitris. I was scared because "suiting up" and "snorkelling for the first time" was not easy. What if something went wrong or I couldn't swim against the currents? I stood there in one of the most geologically badass places on earth, I should have been enthralled and inspired, but I was not. As I reached the entry platform, I started worrying about everything that seemed absurd. I became conscious of my body and the sensations that played up in my cerebellum. I seldom achieve in life and was not sure if I could do this. After several checks and awkward duck steps, I'm only partially in the fissure. As I descended step by step and slowly soaking through, I knew there was something about the water, snow and that panorama. Without really knowing, I changed. I'm glad I did but still concerned. What would happen if I stepped back; what would I miss? I pondered. Someone said, "You can't remember all the moments in life, but the most special ones are the ones embedded in your head." I had to embark on this journey. I was on the last step as Dimitris advanced towards me, he checks me over and gives me a thumbs up. This was it, he made me go in for a trial. The moment where terror meets excitement. Dimitris: You ready? Three... two... one... On one, my face is in the water admiring the open earth and the dark crevasses that yawned in the depths beneath me. Everybody was out there witnessing much more than I was. Dimitris knew I was afraid. He yanked me off the ends and steered me to the firing line. I was all over the place, hitting my head or my tushie against two continents. How often does that happen? I was out of my comfort zone and my mind. I phased through weightless, motionless for ten minutes. I realised I've missed seeing something significant back there and I will keep losing if I did not open my organ of sight !!! I put my face into the water again and this time with my eyes open. I was virtually dumbfounded as I saw the underworld that I was in. With astounding visibility of 100 meters and the feeling of not drowning fading away, I was snorkelling. Pinch Me. If not for my trainer and me wanting to go back with a memory, I would have missed: Snorkelling between Eurasian and North American continents, the only place in the world where it could be done. The blue waters with basalt rock bottoms covered in neon-green algae (Troll's Hair). The teensy-weensy organisms that looked like gold particles that are observed only when the rays of sunshine stretch its arms through the surface into the pristine waters touching everything. For the next half an hour, I swam in one of the world's most chilly, and the only crystal clear glacial water. This was my maiden snorkelling voyage. I snorkelled, swam and crossed the shallow bay. Everywhere I look, it's a dazzling display. I thought to myself a quote that I once read as I climb out of the fissure "It's not how much time we have in life that matters, instead it's how we choose to spend that time". Despite creating a lasting memory for me to embrace, the cold has become too much to bear. I'm numb. But... I'm in Iceland, and I just snorkelled at Silfra, I said to myself while tears roll down my frosted pink cheeks.