I take the train daily into Grand Central Station – New York City tourist attraction #1. From there I walk down Park Avenue to my office, passing the Empire State Building - tourist attraction #2. At this point I have shifted, stopped, moved, been clipped (or completely ignored) by hundreds of people with cameras and cell phones engrossing their full attention.
Every now and again people need a vacation from that type of day to day routine, which is the reason I decided to venture back to my safe place, Iceland. It is here where I feel free to walk along black sand beaches, hike a 3,000-year-old glacier (Vatnajokull), ride horseback through lava fields, and see the most breathtaking waterfalls around every bend.
I first traveled to Iceland in October 2012 as an amateur photographer wanting to capture the coveted Northern Lights. After a long day horseback riding and floating around in the famous Blue Lagoon, I was picked up at 11pm to begin my adventure. After a few hours nestled in a valley surrounded by the purest and blackest of nights, I was able to capture this phenomenon! I left Iceland with a permanent memory of vivid greens and purples dancing in the sky, as well as a lifelong love for a beautiful country.
It is with this memory I chose to return four years later as a retreat from my daily grind in NYC. Everything was as beautiful as I remembered it. This time I drove the southern coast from Reykjavik to Skaftafell, roundtrip just shy of 500 miles. Four years later the same emotions accompanied my excursions: amazement, joy, serenity, awe, and optimism. What is so wonderful is that these feelings were based solely on me. It was my choices and decisions that shaped my experience, not just a reflection of my surroundings. When I am in Iceland I feel calm and serene among the clean setting, the warm and friendly people, and the culture which is rich with history and wonderful stories. It is a place that I hold very dear in my heart.
On my flight home I sat next to a lovely British couple who were on their way to the States. We got to chatting about what we did on our respective stays in Iceland. After sharing a bit about our lives, I shared with them how I get to work, “I take the train into Grand Central and walk a little less than a mile to my office.” Immediately they laughed and I asked why. They responded, “You say it so nonchalantly- I take a train to Grand Central- that is such a wonderful location- it is in all the movies!” I didn’t think much of their response until later on.
I understand I live in NYC and many attractions have lost some of their appeal to me. Not because they are no longer worth the attention, but instead because I cannot handle the crowds of tourists that accompany those locations. Sometimes we can become desensitized to the wonderful surroundings we see daily. It is important to take a step back and breathe. I might need to take a brief moment to address that what I experienced in Iceland might be what visitors feel when they come to NYC. It is all relative- when I am finding myself on the verge of frustration on my way to work- I take a breath.
The tourism industry in Iceland has grown exponentially since my initial visit and shows no signs of slowing. According to the Icelandic Tourist Board, the number of visitors has increased 20% (800,000 people) annually. This helped me create a parallel, how I feel about Grand Central or Times Square is probably how Icelanders feel about the Blue Lagoon or Gullfoss. Chances of finding a native of either respective country at one of those locations is slim. When travelling (which I 100% encourage everyone to do as much as possible) be aware of your surroundings. While having the most rewarding experiences keep in mind that you are a guest- a temporary piece of that space. If only for a moment, be a positive component! Ég elska Ísland (I love Iceland)
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