Blue Lagoon

After class yesterday, Vala, Gauti, and I took a trip to the Blue Lagoon, which is located about 45 minutes away. We soaked in the blue geothermal salt water for a few hours in the sun. Life doesn´t really get any better. The seawater's active ingredients are minerals, silica and algae which, believe it or not, did wonders for my skin. We left feeling completely refreshed. I came home, ate dinner, and went running - pretty difficult schedule. Combining school and travel has never been so relaxing!

Getting hitched!

Newlyweds! Just kidding...Megan got married the night before I left. Congrats Meg!

One happy family!

Halló Iceland!

There are no words to describe the last 48 hours. I feel like the luckiest person in the world right now. So far, this has been the most relaxing trip I have ever experienced. I arrived with no problems and felt like I was actually landing on Mars. The landscape is unlike anything I have seen before. The air is fresh and the atmosphere calming.

I am staying with a writer at the National Theater in downtown Reykjavik in an adorable 1950s apartment with a view. Yesterday I travelled for hours through the countryside to Landmannalaugur with Icelandic friends from Minneapolis Vala and Gauti. At Landmannalaugur we enjoyed a picnic in sunny weather and then went to the hot springs I have always heard so much about. Gauti and Vala continued to spoil me the whole day as we made our way to his parents´ cabin. His family and I enjoyed a typical Icelandic Sunday dinner which consists of lamb and potatoes. Yummy! I was in disbelief the entire day.

Today I started class and it was so great to be back in the classroom. The other students seem really nice and I am looking forward to getting to know them. My teacher rocks too!


Typical landscape here



Vala and I during our picnic

The living room where I am staying



Lighthouse west of Reykjavik


Vala and Gauti after the picnic


Preserved viking settlement





Hot spring at Landmannalaugur

Hello Wisconsin!!!

At the cottage with family and friends is exactly
where I wanted to be before I leave for Iceland.

Classic sunset

Taking a break on the tramp

Yes, this is Wisconsin

Mom and I in Iceland...I mean Washington Island.

Don't worry...I did not risk my life for this shot.

Goodbye Minneapolis

One of my students decided to bake me a cake on my last day of work. No Daniel...I'll miss you:(

Takk!

Thanks to Maren for a killer farewell party!

Thanks to Jesse for a killer lazy eye!

SASSY!

We might have been born in the wrong decade.