written and photographed by Alison Engstrom
H
ow does one begin to describe the otherworldly beauty of Iceland? You can start with the notion that it is the land of fire and ice, a terrain born of natural contrasts. It is a geographical location perched high above Europe; however, it can quickly persuade you as you set out to explore that you are a pioneer who has encountered an extraterrestrial landscape that is yours to discover. My personal journey to Iceland was intimate, surreal and, at times, intimidating. One moment we were surrounded by the most mind-blowing landscape – a sublime glacial lake without so much as a single bird flying overhead to disturb the stillness – a moment of such utter peace and solitude that I wanted to etch it deeply into my memory, to be recalled whenever the pace of New York life begins to overwhelm. The next, we were enveloped by vast, unknown terrains in the form of craggy, moss-covered rocks, or endless stretches of black sand that go on for miles, as far as the eye can see. Then there were the times we found ourselves traveling on the Ring Road, the main highway, and the brightest rays of sun would give way in an instant to torrential freezing downpours that could turn just as quickly to snow. Moments later, the weather would transform again, and we'd see a rainbow painted across the sky, rising above the barren landscape and adding a welcome wash of color. As one local Icelander put it, "If you don't like the weather in Iceland, wait five minutes." Mother Nature takes her time to reveal herself, and the same places can appear quite different depending on the time of day. My travels in Iceland taught me that not only can you enter into the heart of nature, you can enter the very soul of it, raw and unspoiled. Your mind begins to wonder how a place like this still exists on earth, practically untouched by man even in the modern era that we live. You're filled with a desire to uncover the unknown mysteries of centuries gone by. A trip to Iceland will leave you with indelible memories of the vastness and power of the great outdoors. And with the lure of inexpensive airfares to tempt you, plus the greatly varying seasons, I can almost guarantee that if you visit in the summer, you'll want to return in the spring for an entirely different experience. As Albert Einstein once said, "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better," something I can attest to personally. My time in Iceland taught me about the healing abilities of being consumed by the elements, from the purest air to rushing bodies of water. Experiencing the heart of nature, in its most raw and elemental form, has the power to lift your spirits and make your soul soar.
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