This is what Canada would look like without Trees

I didn't know what to expect.

I mean, we are flying into Iceland - so there's probably some kind of snow, or at least some mountains visible right? Maybe some viking village ruins. 

Nope. 

We started descending with no land in sight. I was getting concerned. This isn't Atlantis I was flying to, it was Iceland. And we were heading straight into the ocean. What a fantastic start to our trip. 

Then at what seemed to be the last second, the coast came into view. A flat gray coast with one house in the middle of a mossy tundra rock field. 

Sketchy. 

A few seconds later we had touched down on the runway - I don't even know how they knew were it was. We came through the clouds and bam! we were at the Keflavik terminal. 

After using the wifi to send some quick messages and locating the washrooms (which were waaaaay nicer than North America, we're talking bird murals on the wall and personal mini bathrooms) Wanetta and I tried to get some kronas. But, we went to the wrong bank counter, apparently there are two, so we asked for directions. 

The young Icelander at the desk with hipster glasses and haircut looked at us and said in an amused/disdainful tone: "The exit is over there." 

He pointed to the back corner where a set of glass stairs, labeled by a paper sign led the way to the main floor, customs, and the buses. Definitely would have missed it. 

We thanked him and were on our way to acquiring some cool looking money - and since $1 equals 100 krona, I soon felt pretty rich!  

Side note - their English is EXTREMELY good, hardly any accents at all!

Next step: Bus tickets. 

They were expensive, but Wanetta and I soon found them extremely worth it. 

We got on the flybus which set out for the 50 minute drive to the capital city of Reykjavik. Through the middle of nowhere.

I kid you not. 

There was NOTHING.

No trees AT ALL! 

(I was hoping to think up a few flatlander jokes, but was having too much fun looking out the window.)

Seriously, mossy rocks took care of the horizon morphing into some rolling hills and some random rock statues (kind of like Inukshuks). Covered by fog and mist, with the ocean to our left.

This is what Canada would look like without Trees. 

It was SO EMPTY. 

And so amusing. I couldn't stop smiling.

(Of course when we got closer to the city, trees started appearing, but they had clearly been planted by the civilization.)

Then once in civilization, everything was miniature! 

There was only one lane on each side of the highway, and the bus had a hard time making it. The houses were adorable and sometimes brightly coloured, but I had a hard time imagining our family living in one of them. And the cars - Wanetta thinks they're ugly - which is kind of true because they are all so cramped and small! 

Its just so hilariously different here  - and I LOVE IT! 

Especially being the minority and hearing Icelandic everywhere - or German, or French, but mostly Icelandic. Its so fun! I just wish I could pronounce the street names. 

Then we got to the Bus station (BSI) which looks like it should belong in the middle of the Mexican desert not with the rest of these lovely mini-Europe buildings! A super awesome young lady - who also had hipster glasses, so maybe they're not so hipster anymore....  - helped us out, told us where to go, and gave us directions which put our adventure into high gear. 

We bought a Reykjavik Welcome Card which gets us into all sorts of places for "free." And since we are under 18, we received the children's card and rate, a great money saver! But this did get us some interesting looks at our subsequent destinations.... 

We showed the card to the person at the swimming pool and he looked at us very suspiciously. 
"We're 17," I explained. 
"You look older," he frowned, and then reluctantly let us in. 

So, starting with a thermal swimming pool, we enjoyed everything we could in our 7 Iceland hours! The National Iceland Museum, National Art Museum, Vikin Marine Museum, Metal Viking Landmark, and Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral. PLUS a Food Fair that was occurring only today and tomorrow that we heard about from a lady in the thermal swimming pool. GOD MOMENTS! 

All in all, it was a fabulous day.

Even though there were no trees. 

Smells like Cheese Chips...

After years of hoping, months of planning, days of packing, and a couple hours of road detours Wanetta and I finally got to Minneapolis! After a fabulous dinner at TGIF (and we actually ate there on Friday) it was time to get on the plane. IcelandAir, Terminal 2. 

Finally.

But it felt really strange, because although it was a huge step for us nobody else knew that. Its a humbling sort of anonymity. Not that that hampered my enthusiasm.

 

Not one bit. 

Until I got on the plane. 

I sat down in my seat, perfectly contented with the conditions of the air craft (it had Icelandic phrases printed everywhere, a lullaby written on the pillows, super cool!) until I breathed in through my nose. 

And smelt them.

Cheese chips. 

My panic level began to rise. Would I have to sit through the entire flight smelling the rank odour of old chips? They were probably embedded in the fan that was to blow air on me for the next six hours making each intake of breath absolutely miserable. Then I would arrive in Iceland smelling like I walked out of a LOTR marathon that only served cheddar chips. Disgusting.

What could be done? 

Absolutely nothing.

However. 

God seems to care about the little things in life. 

(Thank goodness!)

Thus, as soon as the plane started the smell faded and my heart rate returned to normal. No treacherous smells to infiltrate my dreams and clothes -that's going in the God Book! 

And so one of the best flights of my life began. 

The lights above the overhead compartments projected the northern lights on the wall. Listening to Icelandic and English with an Icelandic accent was most amusing. I talked with a lady whose daughter learned Spanish in University (like I want to) and has traveled all around Europe. They also have a German Exchange student. But most exciting, I actually slept on the plane! For at least 2 hours, which is a first and an answer to prayer. Soon after waking up, we landed and our glorious excursion to Iceland began! 

But that's another post with an equally awesome title.... 

9 Days Until Blast Off!

Sometimes things make more sense if you put them into numbers. 

So here is what my future looks like when organized into a few important digits:

29 of August is my last day in Canada this year. 
17 years of travel dreams behind me. 
7 Hour time difference ahead of me.
3 Weeks of travelling.
4 Countries to see.
12 Cities to explore.
8 Locations booked to stay in.
2 "Sisters" to visit.
90 allowed in Europe without a Travel Visa.
28 Weeks away from home (thus I will be getting one in Germany!). 
1.46 Dollars per Euro Exchange Rate.
11+ months of planning and thinking.
5 family members I will miss A LOT!

100s of dollars to be spent.
1000s of pictures to be taken.
1000 000s of memories will be made.

1 God in control of it all. 

So when numbers and lists still seem unorganized, and I've got so many things to do -people to see, clothes to pack, cards to write, stuff to buy -  I need to just pause and drop it all at the Throne of God. He's in control, worrying is a sin, and He is the ultimate source of peace. He's already got everything worked out.  

And besides, God has shown me OVER AND OVER this summer that He's taking care of me. 

Therefore, I'm so excited to see what good works He has prepared for me to do in Europe  - where I get to learn about and serve Him in French and German! 

Only 9 days until the adventure begins.