The Sunshine Award

Brittany Ruth at the fabulous travel blog The Rococo Roamer nominated me for the Sunshine Award ("I've won a major award!"). Definitely go check out her page! And thank you, Brittany Ruth, for nominating me. 

The general rules of this award are:
- Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you.
- Share 11 random facts about yourself.
- Answer 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
- Nominate other bloggers.
- Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate and let them know they have been nominated.

Eleven Random Facts
1. My favorite color is grey. All sorts of greys. I used to say "shades of grey", but obviously now I can't without getting a strange look or two.

2. I have absolutely no interest in reading 50 Shades of Grey, but not because it made answering what my favorite color is slightly more complicated. 

3. The Ender and Shadow series are some of my favorite books. 

4. I once took a class from Orson Scott Card and quickly learned, although I like some of his books and I think he is a good teacher, I do not like him. 

5. Before I moved to Iceland, I was studying anthropology and cinematic studies. Though I find those two things extremely interesting, I probably wouldn't work professionally in either field because one would require many years of extra schooling and the other wouldn't ever be a real job.

6. I can analyze movies for ever and ever and ever.

7. I absolutely can't stand 3D movies or movies with gaudy computer graphics (ie, Avatar). 

8. I saw Gravity last night in 3D and really, really, liked it. 

9. I'm flexible with my absolutes sometimes.

10. I'm fairly certain if my parents shipped me off to Russia when I was 4 years old, I would be a gold medal gymnast by now.

11. I've never been able to do a back flip on a trampoline.   

Eleven Interview Questions from Brittany Ruth
1.) What is the first concert you ever attended?
I went to a Rockapella concert when I was around 4-5 years old. I still remember how cool I felt being at a "real" concert. The first concert I paid for myself (other than local bands) was Maroon 5 when I was around 14 or 15... oh how my musical priorities have evolved. Honestly though, because of my height (right at everyone's sweaty armpit and no-chance-of-seeing-anything level), impatience for people talking, no dance moves to speak of, the off-putting lack of intimacy for a room full of people suffocatingly squished together, and my primal urge to photograph the show instead of watch it, I'm extremely selective about which concerts I go to. I'm just not cool enough to be a regular concert goer, though I really enjoy working with bands on photography and videography projects.

2) Do you have a pet? What is it?

I don't have my own pet, but I do live with a sweet cat named Myra. She has some physical something something with her back legs that stops them from bending properly (think of a cat with rabbit legs), so she just looks really sneaky when she walks. One day though I want to own a fox. 

3) Name a mini goal of yours and a long term goal that you have or will be working on.

Mini goal: Get the most out of the last 3 (or so) months I have left in Iceland.
Long term: Always get better at photography. 

4) Coolest place you've ever traveled to?

Ooo, that's a tough one! Iceland is pretty dang cool, but Uganda might trump it in coolness just because it involved a boat ride down the Nile with crocs and hippos. But really, Earth is cool in general. 

5) If you had no limits, what would be your dream job?

Travel photographer/neuroscientist/philanthropist/writer. One can dream, right? ;-)

6) What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
Honesty, because it equates trust. 

Humor, because life isn't worth living if you're not laughing along the way. 

Kindness, because you become who you're with. 

7) What are you obsessed with right now?
Living a meaningful life. Also, Icelandic hot dogs. I think they go hand in hand. 

8) If you could learn to play a new instrument, speak a new language, or instantly fix one of your flaws, what would you choose?
I would definitely pick the language one and that language would be Icelandic. Not being better at Icelandic after living here nearly 9 months is one of my biggest shames! 

9) What is something you regret that you wish you could change, or do you live your life with no regrets?

I definitely have regrets, but I also don't really know what would have happened in my life if I didn't make those mistakes, so I tend to lean more towards the no regrets philosophy. I'm a big fan of learning from mistakes, taking the consequence, and improving from there. 

10) What is a new hobby you've been wanting to try out?

Sewing. It's something I've been wanting to get into for years, but because of a failed pot holder I once "made" in jr. high, I'm a bit skeptical of my skills. One day I'll avenge that pot holder, one day! 

11) What is something readers don't know about you?

I've never taken photography classes nor have any formal photography or photoshop training. I'm all self-taught (with the help of some wonderful online mentors who helped encourage me in my early years of photography).

Bloggers I Nominate
Marie at Marie's Moments
Julia at The Sugary Shrink
Julia at Based on Actual Events
Sóley at How'd Y'all Do That

Sara at Life Wells Lived

Heather at The Parsimonious Princess

Any or all of the sisters at Notes She Wrote

Eleven Interview Questions for my Nominees
1. What do you like to splurge on?
2. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
3. What is a work of art (could by anything) that has really impacted your life?
4. What do you want to be remembered for?
5. What do you like most about blogging?
6. If you could go anywhere in the world with up to 5 other people, where would you go and who would you take?
7. What's the worst thing you've ever eaten?
8. Name 3 pet peeves?
9. What is your best marriage advice?
10. Here's 2 million dollars. What do you do with it?
11. What's something about you that your readers wouldn't know?

And that's that. Look at me bloggin' all networky and stuff.

Ode to the Icelandic Hotdog

Before coming to Iceland, I had never finished an entire hotdog (at least that I can remember). I really wanted to be able to, truly. After all, nothing quite completes the crisp air of a football game like a warm hotdog slathered in all the fix'ins, right? I would even enthusiastically try any suggestions for the ultimate hotdog (yes, Utahns, I've tried J-Dawgs). Sometimes the first bite would make me believe my taste buds had matured enough to enjoy the taste of hotdogs, but alas, I would always end up tossing the hotdog after another bite and eat the bun. No matter what I did, hotdogs were just... gross.

Then I came to Iceland.

It was at a dinner at the church that I had my first experience with a Icelandic hotdog. I was starving that evening, and felt obligated to just TRY one of the hotdogs. I was slightly intrigued since there were new toppings I'd never seen or considered before: french fried onions and a interesting brown mustard-but-not-quite-mustard sauce. I prepared my hotdog in the most Icelandic-y way I could.

Life. Changed.

First of all, the hot dogs themselves aren't as strong in flavor as the ones in America. They are mild and salty and don't overpower you with feelings of death and regret. Secondly, french fried onions on your hotdog is the shiz. Throw in some regular onions, some mayo, a little ketchup perhaps, a healthy portion of Pylsusinnep (which I can only describe as a very mild and sort of sweet tannish-brown mustardy sauce), perhaps panini-sytle grill the hotdog bun a bit and... oh my darling clementine.

Source, because I eat hotdogs too quickly before photographing them

PROTIP!
If you're visiting Iceland, hotdogs are found all over, especially downtown Reykjavik. Though the Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur stand near the harbor and Kolaportið flea market is probably the most famous, I would submit that it is one of the more boring hotdogs I've had in Iceland. Find a place that grills the bun (most other places do). The best hotdog I've ever had in Iceland was at the hotdog shack next to the Harbor in downtown Hafnarfjörður. Mmmm.

On Being Happy

The other night I was standing in a field (cool?) in Iceland (mmm, yeah) taking pictures (now we're talking...) next to an amazing person I love (can't get better than that) with the northern lights blaring above us (LIFE ARE YOU FOR REAL!?).

This was the sort of moment that was so stupidly perfect you have to shake your head and laugh as your brain explodes with oxytocin. How is this real life? 

In my residual ecstasy after I got home, I thought about any moment in my life I had ever been happier. The last couple of years had been a relentless cluster-eff to my heart which arguably in turn made my capacity to feel happiness expand. So, through a few philosophical justifications, I narrowed down the answer to no, I had not ever been happier than that night. So I did what any great thinker of our day does when they have a brilliant breakthrough and posted a status to Facebook:

 "I have never been so happy. It's as simple as that." 

And then I went to bed. 

I woke up the next morning, having forgotten about my late night declaration, to an outpouring of love and support. Not just in the 60+ people who had liked the status or the half dozen who commented in the few short hours I slept (and it keeps growing 24 hours later), but in private messages from others who voiced more personal sentiments. I was a little surprised, and then quite touched.

I know I'm waxing all mushy here for something arguably quite small, but it was really special to see so many people happy for me. I think it's easy for us to see other's joy as an annoyance and keep scrolling through our never-ending feeds, but these people didn't. They multiplied the love and happiness by passing some more of it on instead of killing it. And that meant more to me than I expected or they could know. I don't know how I deserved such kind treatment, but I'm so thankful for it.

I am the happiest I've ever been and I feel so privileged to be living the life I am. To live in and photograph such a beautiful country. To have health. To have family. To have people in my life to laugh with. To have people that can rely on me with their pain. To have peace. To have challenges. To have good stories to read and movies to watch. To have a healing heart. To have delicious things to eat. To have a world waiting to be traveled. To have work that stretches and pushes my capabilities and patience. To have someone's hand to hold. Life is such a gift. All of it.

To Blue Lagoon or Not to Blue Lagoon

That is the question.

Chances are if you ask anyone who has traveled to Iceland in the last 10 years about their trip, they will mention the Blue Lagoon. Because of it's location on the way to/from the international airport, 80% of tourists stop there to soak up the silica-rich waters during their trip. Of course, in tourist-phobic fashion, it took me over 6 months of living here to go to arguably the most famous place in Iceland. And even then I only went because I knew I had to.

(source)

So, did the Blue Lagoon win even the most skeptical patron?

Sort of.

The first time I went was with my sister who visited for a long weekend from London. We arrived minutes after opening, so there was no line to wait in for tickets and the locker room was completely empty. Just how I like it. I was impressed with the sleek design of the buildings and locker rooms and all of the employees were welcoming and pleasant (I mean, they better be for the price you're paying). And I can't deny the naturally bright blue water against the dark volcano field isn't absolutely breathtaking, not to mention the minerals do feel pretty good on your skin too. It's hard not to think you're in a otherworldly paradise. We had about 30 or 40 minutes of peaceful floating until the tourists en masse showed up and quickly chased our relaxation away with obnoxious yelling and splashing (these were adults, not children, just in case you were wondering). Eventually there was no escaping their personal-space-invading presence so my sister and I called it a day. Even with the annoying tourists, I enjoyed the experience, especially the algae mask and health smoothie that came free as part of my Blue Lagoon Club status.

The second time I went was in more of a romantic setting with my boyfriend. We went near the end of the day, just a few hours before closing, and only had to deal with a small amount of loud lagoon goers for a short time until they trickled away. Nothing against going with my sister, but the Blue Lagoon lends itself a little better to romance. The only thing that put a damper on our date were the waves of fury caused by the huge storm raging through Iceland that night. Smooching a cute guy is a lot less exciting when you have walls of water splashing into your ears while freezing rain whips you in the face. Still, it was a very enjoyable evening.

(source)

But, do I recommend it?

Yeah-ish. 

I think if you're a student backpacker on a budget, skip the crap out of the Blue Lagoon. At $54.00 for the cheapest ticket during the summer, that could mean a whole day's car rental. Not worth it. For a similar experience at half the price ($26.00 in the high season, less than half that for students), go to the Myvatn Nature Bath in the north of the island. I went there on my grand road trip, and although the facilities aren't as fancy, the water is exactly the same. Or better yet, just go to one of the many public pools or free natural hot springs. Iceland does not lack water based relaxation.

BUT, if you are ready to drop some serious cash on a romantic getaway, I've got to eat my words and say the Blue Lagoon is pretty awesome. If I were to do it again, I would rent a private room, get some gourmet food from the restaurant, order a massage and other spa services, and make a whole day out of it with my boyfriend. I think it would be a very memorable and worth-while experience for those with the funds. 

(source: bluelagoon.com) "Oh, I shall drown my sorrows in silica mud."

The most important thing I could advise you about above anything else though is to put your hair up. The mineral water will turn your hair into straw for at least a week if it touches the water. I really wish I would have known this before I went. I have very long and thick hair and it took about 10 washes before it felt somewhat normal again.

So what did you think of the Blue Lagoon? Worth it to you?

Reykjavik Bacon Festival

This is Iceland. It likes to party. 

Whether it be the packed bars and clubs every weekend, the seemingly bazillion work holidays off, BBQs in the middle of winter, the enormous downtown-closing celebrations that are peppered throughout the year, or, you now, a big, fat, awesome festival devoted to bacon. Yep. Bacon. It was beautiful. The sinful aromas of bacon inspired dishes wafted through the sea of happy people as bacon fell from the skies. Literally. They threw bacon attached to little parachutes off the tops of buildings. Yep. Delicious parachute bacon. Oh, did I mention the festival was partly sponsored by the hospital's cardiovascular association? Iceland FTW.

We sampled around 6 different dishes and left completely packed full of salty, fatty, artery clogging goodness. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

What To Do During Your Stopover in Iceland

Recently, my lovely sister currently based in London came for a weekend visit. A weekend visit, you say? To Iceland? Though Iceland is a bit out of the way of er... everywhere (even London)... it's actually quite common for visitors to only stay here a few days. Why? Because Icelandair offers a free stopover option on transatlantic flights. So why the heck not, right?

So you have a stopover. What now? Planning a quick trip in Iceland can be a little overwhelming, I totally get it. All the names are 56 letters long and confusing, you really like the bands Sigur Ros and Of Monsters and Men but you aren't sure about Bjork, it feels like you'll need to sell your first born to afford a hotel, and you probably heard some mention of eating rotten shark. Have no fear, dear stopoverers, I've got some easy and excellent suggestions for optimal Icelandic weekending.

Though I would recommend staying for at least 2 weeks if you're planning a proper trip to Iceland (I'm looking at you, photogs), a 3-5 day stopover is plenty of time to get your feet wet. My sister (technically not a Icelandair stopoverer but still fits the spirit of the post) came for 4.5 days total. We planned her trip more on the budget-friendly side, but not freakishly so, with a few splurges. 

At the Jökulsárlón beach.

Car Rental

I highly recommend renting a car if you're not a fan of the tour bus scene. You'll save money, have more freedom and time, and you don't have to get stuck sitting next to the stinky tourist guy with the fanny pack who insists on eating tuna from a can the whole time. The main roads, though narrow and sometimes unpaved, are easy to navigate and rarely have any major hazards (except for sheep, of course). They drive on the "right" side of the road (same as America), and most traffic laws are exactly the same. Just be aware the police are not too forgiving of speeders. 

When booking, start with kayak.com to get an idea of where prices are at. Depending on the time of year, I've seen rentals range anywhere from around $30/day for the smallest compact to $120/day (bigger cars are obviously more). My sister rented from sadcars.com for her trip, and though I have no complaints, just be aware you're not exactly hiring a Roll Royce. I've also rented from sixt.com with no complains, though they tend to be a little more expensive than others (I was lucky enough to score a weirdly great deal for my roadtrip last spring). And of course, if you're in the market for a camper, I can't recommend kukucampers.is enough. 

Budget-Friendly Tips: You don't have to book a car for your entire trip if the price isn't right. During the summer, car rentals can double or triple in price compared to the winter season, so consider renting only for the days you know you'll be going outside of the capital area. It's very easy to get around Reykjavik on foot or by bus (which costs 350 krona per ride), so chances are you may not even use the car those days anyway.

Super Cheap Backpacker Option: You will not have very much freedom, and it's always a gamble, but Iceland is a relatively safe country to hitchhike around. You can also check out this ride-share site.

If Money Is No Object: Forget the compact and get a great off road vehicle. There is a whole world open to you if you have 4-wheel drive. 

Our sweet ride from Sad Cars.

Accommodations

My host family was kind enough to let my sister stay with us during her visit. Anytime you travel somewhere new, staying with someone you know is always going to be the best option because you get a much more realistic view of the area (this is why you always make friends when traveling, and be generous with your own home to other travelers-- it's amazing how large your network will grow!). But of course this isn't always possible, so be prepared to spend a major chunk of your travel money on a place to sleep. Check out airbnb.com, kayak.com, booking.com and Visit Iceland for all the options.  

Budget-Friendly Tips: Stay in a hostel. They aren't as cheap here as they are in other parts of Europe, but they are still cheaper than a hotel. Renting a camper van is also an excellent idea especially if you're in a small group. 

Super Cheap Backpacker Option: Camping in camping-friendly but not official campground site (aka, FREE), or couchsurfing.com.

If Money is No Object: No brainer. Stay somewhere fancy, order lobster and filet mignon, and fall asleep on your diamond encrusted pillow made out of unicorn skin while being sweetly serenaded by Ray LaMontange (I have no idea how rich people accommodate themselves in Iceland, that's just what I'd do).

Firework show near the Harpa in Reykjavik.

Airport Transfer

If you aren't renting your car right off the bat, there are many options for transfers from the airport to downtown Reykjavik (it's about a 50 minute drive). 

What to Pack

This is a little tricky if you're on your way to the French Riviera in the middle of the summer with a stopover in Iceland, so to save space and luggage weight, consider at the very least packing warm and waterproof shells and shoes. I can't stress the waterproof thing enough. You might be the lucky ones who get the beautiful blue skies and lovely temperatures, but for people like my sister who got poured on everyday, it's good to be as prepared as reasonably possible for wet weather. If you have a lot of extra funds, you can always buy more layers here if you need, but be aware clothes are extremely expensive here. If you're stopping over in wintertime, dress as you would for a normal snowy climate. 

We had just hiked to Seljavallalaug pool in the rain, swam in the rain, and hiked back to the car in the rain. RAIN!

Where To Go

This is roughly what my sister and I did for her stay. It's a great outline for the casual traveler looking to see a lot of the island that is readily accessible. Some of our days were long, but not overly exhausting by any means.

Day 1 - (Arrived around 4:00pm) Fancy dinner in Reykjavik at Sjávargrillið (splurge #1).
Day 2 - : The Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) + Seljalendsfoss and Gljúfrarbúi + swimming at Seljavallalaug pool + Skogafoss
Day 3: Snæfellsness + Kolaportið Flea Market (gotta try the shark!) + Menningarnótt (a massive culture festival in downtown Reykjavik complete with free concert and fireworks)

Day 4: Jökulsárlón, Vik, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjall
Day 5: The Blue Lagoon (splurge #2), ate a hotdog in Reykjavik (a must) and went to the top of the Hallgrímskirkja, then spent a quiet evening having dinner and playing games with friends.

(Also, check out my other posts about things to do and road trips when looking into these places. To Vik and back: here, south coast: here here here, Reykjavik: here, and my epic photography road trip: here.)

To note: We were lucky to catch the Menningarnótt culture festival, but festivals and such activities in general are not uncommon (for example, Of Monsters and Men preformed a free show last weekend, NBD), so check out grapevine.is for news and events. 

Ásgeir Trausti concert.

Tours To Consider

Because I had to work a little bit, we were working with a budget, and I wanted to introduce her to some of my friends, we didn't have 100% free travel time during my sister's entire trip. Since I'm assuming you stopoverers will (unless, you know, you wanna hang out er somethin'), you should consider adding on a tour. Wait, didn't I just knock tours at the beginning of this post? What about tuna man? Well, stopoverers, not all tours are created equally. I fully support activities you need a tour for (the Golden Circle, for example, is NOT one of them). I'm talking about going on a helicopter, whale watching, horseback riding, glacier walking, dog sledding, or even inside of a volcano. Summer or winter, there are a gazillion awesome options. Hopefully I'll get to knock a few more of those off my list before I leave in about 5 months.

Seljalendsfoss

I hope I've made things a little less overwhelming for you stopoverers. I'd love to hear any stories about success or failures from your short trips. What did you learn? What would you do differently? Let's get a discussion going! 

Halfway Q&A

I recently hit my halfway mark of living in Iceland. WHAT?! I know. Crazy. I might even venture to use the ridiculous phrase "cray cray" to describe it. I can't believe I've been 6 months, and I hate, HATE, to think of the day that I have to leave. New adventures are always exciting, but a part of my heart will always be held hostage in Iceland.

In honor of my halfway point, I had my friends and family throw out some questions on Facebook for me to answer here. Enjoy! (Also, thanks to my dad for taking such cool pictures of me while he was here!)

How has Iceland changed you? How has it improved/changed your photography/photographic style? - MV 
I went through enormous intellectual, moral, creative, and emotional changes during my brother's sickness and death, so I've enjoyed getting acquainted with my new perspectives and motivations. Being in Iceland has breathed new life into me. I'm happier than I've ever been with who I am, and I have a clear vision of the life I want to live. The most important event that has happened artistically for me is falling back in love with photography. It's been outrageously exiting to feel like a beginner again as I learn how to photograph landscapes. It's a completely new genre for me so I have that same haphazard enthusiasm I did when I was first getting into photography 8 years ago. It's been a lot of fun, something I had forgotten photography could be.

What would be your Iceland style dream date? - UB 
First off, not just any guy would be Iceland-date worthy, let's just say that right now. But if opportunity arose... a day trip to the Glacier Lagoon, complete with good car-ride conversation, a delicious beverage, and a smooch or two at a few choice locations along the way, all topped off with a clear starry night and northern lights.

Iceland would be a great vacation destination for the person seeking __________ experience. - SW 
“a unique and rugged”

What are your top 10 must see/do in Iceland (in order)? -SW
(I haven't seen/done everything, and I changed my mind about 4,000 times while writing this part...)
1. Photograph Jökulsárlón and the glacier beach.
2. Marvel at the northern lights.
3. Swim at Seljavallalaug, one of Iceland's oldest pools.
4. A day trip to Vik from Reykjavik with the following stops: Seljalendsfoss and Gljúfrarbúi, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjall, and Skogafoss.
5. Go Killer Whale watching.
6. Explore Flatey for an afternoon.
7. Spend a lazy afternoon with the puffins in the Westman Islands.
8. Check out the otherworldly landscapes of the Námafjall, Krafla, and Myvatn areas.
9. Hike around Dynjandi Waterfall and explore the Westfjords.
10. Wander around Reykjavik.

Can I be you when I grow up? -MM
Your kids are too cute to give up and be an old maid globe bum like me. ;-)

Will you post a video of yourself speaking some Icelandic phrases? -LL
*sigh* I masked my humiliation within obnoxious iMovie effects. Get ready to laugh it up, Icelandic friends. 

What would be your 10 top advice for travel photography? -FL
1. Push yourself to take photos, even when you don't want to. I always get lazy about 3-4 days into any trip and stop taking photos. Don't do this. Take photos every day!
2. If you're not a professional photographer, and you don't want to be one, don't worry about getting a full DSLR. They are a pain to lug around while traveling! Instead, opt for the smaller DSLRs (like the Sony Nex series). Most cameras these days are pretty amazing, so even if you have your iPhone, you're going to be able to get some nice shots.
3. If you are a professional, or you want to be one, take an ultra-wide, a mid-range, and a telephoto lens everywhere you go. You never know what you're going to want when going to a new place.
4. Have a very boring looking camera bag, preferably something a bit old looking, and never let it leave your side (not for a second!). Camera bags are huge targets for thieves.
5. Be considerate of others. Nothing is more annoying that some jerk standing in front of everyone else's view all day.
6. Trespass considerately. If you go somewhere you're not supposed to be, don't ruin anything. Leave everything as you found it.
7. With #6 in mind, don't be that stupid tourist that ends up on the news because you made a very poor decision.
8. Practice, practice, practice. Don't buy a new camera you've never used right before a trip, or try a technique for the first time at a location you'll never go to again. Know how to use your camera before you go.
9. If you watermark, do so sparingly and artistically. Nothing ruins a gorgeous shot like some obnoxious papyrus font action.
10. Know when to put down the camera and enjoy reality.

What do you like best / favorite things about Iceland? What don't you like about Iceland? -LM
I love the textures in the Icelandic landscape and the overall ruggedness of the island. Plus, they don't really have any sort of predator or creepy crawly that can harm you (they don't even have mosquitos!), so it's fun to explore without fear of getting bitten by something. My least favorite thing is how expensive everyday items are, especially clothes. For example, the very ordinary and boring grey zip up hoodie I'm currently wearing as I type this cost me around $45.00. I wouldn't pay more than $15.00 for it back home.

If Iceland were a fine pastry, which fine pastry would it be, and why? -DH
It would be the pastry I had with my friend Jason at the french bakery in SLC a few years ago (remember that day, pal? Good times!). Why? Because every single bite was delicious. Just like Iceland.

What do you wish someone had told you about living abroad before you left that would have been helpful and what tips prepared you best? -KW
I think people, especially those hobbits who want to leave the Shire so to speak, should keep in mind that it's something totally do-able and not as scary as it seems. Just go do it. There are limitations, mountains of paperwork, expenses, waiting times, etc, but it's all worth it. Trust me. Nothing beats the experience of living completely out of your element.

Is there a great recipe for fish stew and fish soup. How is that lamb so incredible? Is the Penis museum the coolest thing in Iceland? How are the hot dogs there so crunchy and good? French fried onions here are not quite the same on hotdogs. - JL (aka, Dad, who just returned home from our trip)
Everyone just needs to come here and experience these things in real life (disclaimer: I have not been to the Penis museum).

Did you apply color corrections to your photos? If Iceland is really THAT vibrant I'm going to pass out. -DN
While I'm still figuring out my post-processing style for landscapes, I try to keep the integrity of what I'm interpreting. So, in a nutshell, you should probably lay down... Iceland is more vibrant and beautiful than my photography could ever show.

This picture was snapped by my friend Syliva and edited by me. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far in my journey. It really has been some of the best months of my entire life. And of course, thanks for reading the blog!