Weathering the Storm with the WP#104

I just returned from a short week in Iceland, my 21st time there with a mix of business and pleasure. And, weather did play a part last week, as all flights were cancelled due to weather in and out. I guess I am legal now, and we will see when next, I will return, but the experiences I had, exploring South Iceland, and East Iceland, a place I had not been in probably 20 years were wonderful and both experiences offered some new things I had not experienced before. I also did my routine of exploring Reykjavik itself, but I had a different feel. Don’t get me wrong, I love Iceland, and absolutely enjoyed connecting and reconnecting with people and even doing a little bit of people watching, but the vibe was different, not the country, but for me. I know I will return, but I don’t feel the urgency to do so, as my priorities have changed. As Bob Dylan sang, The Times They Are A-Changin' and my focus is different. ​

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It is funny that when people have asked me what my favorite place was, it was always, without hesitation, Iceland and even as many times as I have been there, I still have new places to explore, people to meet and experiences to have, but that was BR, before Rosa and since meeting her, almost 3 years ago now, with our 3rd “anniversary coming up in February, my favorite place is with her, wherever that may be. The excitement of being in Iceland was very much tempered, and very noticeable to my colleagues and I hope that someday, she will come to Iceland with me, so I can see the country through her eyes and get a new and different perspective. One,  as I had when she came to America last February, seeing many places I had seen before and some new, but definitely through her eyes. I learned much and also about myself. Most importantly, it solidified my feelings, but I think everyone knew that. ​

Iceland, is an amazing land of volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, warm wonderful people, wildlife like reindeer, whales, and arctic fox, if you can find them, and many seabirds, including my favorite, the puffin, but you all knew that, and the beautiful and docile Icelandic horse, and amazing vistas at every turn on this island the size of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and a population that has certainly grown, upwards of 370,000 people. Some even say, it may be 400,000, most of which are in the capital area which also boasts world class restaurants, some very nice museums, and other experiences like Fly Over Iceland and the Lava Show, as well as a Northern Lights show, in case you can’t see the events live. Also, Iceland has a vibrant music scene and many different cultural events throughout the year. And yes, it is an all-year destination, with so many opportunities. I will always have a warm spot in my heart for Iceland and remember when I came to Iceland in 1999 for the first time and experienced this amazing place. Of course, things were less crazy than they are now. When I first came to Iceland, there were no traffic jams, rush hour traffic and parking problems. Reykjavik was like a small New England town and a lot quieter and easy to get around. It still is to a point, but the landmarks I remember are not as easily visible, with some exceptions. ​

Well, life keeps moving forward and so do I. My time here in New England is getting shorter, and whether I secure the visa sooner or later, I will be heading across the pond. In fact, I will be there more in the next 4 to 6 months than here in the states and when in the states, who knows where I will end up after June, but it won’t be here, and I am quite sure it won’t be in Minnesota, even though I will return to Minnesota for a short time to handle some loose ends. I am also realistic that the visa process can take some time and I must be patient and flexible, so settling in once place or another really is not an option, but being the nomadic person I am, I will figure out a way until that time comes where I have the permission to move. In the meantime, I will be in Europe again in a couple of weeks and then another quick turnaround. It is just who I am now.
Rosa asked me, if I could handle the “boring life” and settling down and I said yes. I told her that I was happy with that. I just unpacked and already pre-packing for my next jaunt across the pond, but I would be very happy to not pack and unpack constantly and leave the nomadic lifestyle and when I do travel, it will be with her. And, I said, when I do travel, it is to Europe, most often, so I would not have to constantly travel across the pond. I would be there and I would love it when I do travel, she would join me and at the same time, I totally respect that she has her responsibilities as a guide and librarian, so I know there will always be a balance, but at 60, and soon to reach 61, I want to be in a place that is a slower pace, something I experienced last summer, for the 2 ½ months I lived there and truly appreciated. I think it is simply much healthier and I am trying to appreciate life much more now, something I started just years before including things like people watching and enjoying a nice conversation with someone. 
Stay safe, stay healthy and as always, thank you for your support of my crazy little world and of my small business. It is truly appreciated, and as always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook or wherever you read this!!!