Icelandic adventure full of discoveries

by Marina Chernovol (Ukraine)

I didn't expect to find Iceland

You have been dreaming of Iceland for several years. Every time you found an excuse not to go — it is not the right time; too expensive; first I should go to the sea with the family (even though you are not very fond of this type of holiday). Maybe someday... But one morning you open your eyes, take your smartphone and order a headlight. It's hilarious, but this 2-dollar Aliexpress item is your first step in making this important decision. Even though it is only January and you are definitely going to Iceland in July... To be fair, you have tried to convince your family to come with you. But every time you were told that only crazy people prefer sleeping in tents chilled to the bones in summer rather than enjoying the luxury of a 5-star hotel comfortable sea view double room. Sometimes you doubt whether or not you should insist they come along. Thank God, you have that headlight barely noticeable whispering to you: ‘No flinching, stick to your plan’. With a number of views of multi-colored mountains in your head, you dream ‘What if your life suddenly comes to an end, and you are leaving without seeing Iceland’? A sobering thought, making you more determined to go. Brushing away a tear (as 5 minutes ago you visited your funeral), you book a ticket to Reykjavik. You are getting closer to your destination... A week to go till you are leaving for Snowland, but you still lack hiking boots, a backpack, and a tent. Somewhere you have read that you also need trekking poles (believe me, you don’t). Going into a panic, you understand that you don’t have money for boots or a tent. Take-it-or-leave-it, but you need them both. You imagine how you trek in your jogging shoes in the snow. Then another picture crosses your mind where you lay freezing in a sleeping bag under the stars. Lord. You should quickly find a solution. Friends? Friends: you shouldn’t forget this option ever! You ask and are given everything you need and even more. A whole hiker starter kit, including a mini gas stove. The backpack is for men 10 inches higher than you are, but you will find it out in several days (when your trek starts). Now that you seem to have everything from the list, you are happy. You buy your perfect boots, but don’t have time to break them in, as your flight is tomorrow. You decide to make it there. Does it seem to be a good plan? Well, not very. Something you will discover later. Finally, the day has come. You put your boots and windproof coat on, feeling a bit hot. No one will criticize you as the weather forecast says it is 0°C at night in Reykjavik. But leaving Kyiv, it is plus 27°C and you can hardly breathe in your special winter gear. It is high time to put your backpack on. You try but fail: it feels as heavy as lead. When you weigh it, you see it’s 20 kg. You wonder how you will survive 15 km per having to carry it. And all of a sudden your trip to Iceland seem less joyful. And then you remember that you will be given another 3 kg of stuff when you meet your hiking group. Mamma mia, an extra 3 kg. You say good-bye to your family still trying to keep smiling, but somewhere inside you can hear a voice suggesting you should stay home and forget your intention... Suddenly your phone is ringing. A taxi driver is waiting to take you to the airport. No escaping now. Still wondering whether you made the right choice, you get into the car.