Geysir

 We took a small side trip to "Geysir," since we had sometime before the pool opened for our weekly shower.  Tourists flock here and it was our turn to do some touristing since I had never seen it.

 

 "The Bubble"

 

 This one goes off about every 10 minutes.  Quite impressive.

 No wishes of any kind.  Not European wishes, Not Japanese wishes, Not American wishes.

 This is the site of the geysir actually called Geysir... this is said to be where the word "geysir" came from.  It only (erupts?) once a year, and on special occasions for visiting dignitaries... (with the help of a little soap).

One Fine Saturday Afternoon on the Stokkseyri Shore

"Sunbathing" in Iceland...

Lyngdalsheidi

Well, because of a lack of snow down at Holmasel--the farmhouse in Southern Iceland where we were living--the boss has moved headquarters here, to a place called Lyngdalsheidi.  The five of us (Siggi--the owner, Claire--his girlfriend, Mirko--the German musher, Keith and I) now live in the one-room cabin pictured above with no electricity or running water.  The place has it's inconveniences (pooping in a bucket and breathing propane all day), but is really a much more beautiful location and I have enjoyed taking many panoramic pictures lately of the valley--I tried to upload, but the files were too large.  We have arranged to take two days off a week to freshen up and attend church, etc.  So I am making use of the internet while I can to give this update.

The cabin life offers few distractions and I spend much time curled up in my blanket reading.  I am currently reading "Travels in Alaska" by John Muir.  What a phenomenal writer/thinker/being.  I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys history, philosophy, and the wonders of the natural world.  I wish we had more writers and scientists today that see and are awed by God's hand in everything, as he does.  Keith and I are also reading together "Walden, or Life in the Woods" by Henry David Thoreau.  Interesting to read the two together--both from about the same time, wonderful observers, thinkers, and writers. One focusing on the natural world with humans as a part of it, one focusing on human attitudes and behavior with the natural world as a part of it--especially at a time when we are living as if it were the 1800s, seeing by candlelight and boiling water for the rare washing of some dishes.

Anyway, there's the update.

Keith's first "Time Lapse"

Keith set the GoPro outside on a snow bluff next to the farmhouse at Holmasel where we are living.  Here is a nice day in Iceland with "Walking in the Air" from The Snowman (what's kind of funny is that this shot actually reminds me of the beginning of The Snowman where that weird guy is talking by those trees...)

Our Cross-Canada Video Tour!

Using the footage Keith shot with our GoPro camera mounted on our handle bars (he would turn it on at various times throughout each day for a few minutes) and sped up 64 times to a condensed Cross-Canada tour (our perspective this summer) in 17 minutes!  Every bit of it brings to mind memories for us--we had some amazing days and love looking back on it.  Enjoy : )

Our depiction of the Republican Race for President

 

Joking last night Keith called Newt Gingrich, whom we truly despise, Jabba the Newt, and we proceeded to decide who each of the candidates would be in Star Wars-- Darth Obama, the good guy gone bad--a matter of troubled ideas--must face one of these four challengers.  And since we have quite a bit of time on our hands, made this.  With Keith's super Paint skills, it turned out alright!  Sarah Palin has happily chained herself to Newt, with her recognizable... name she irresponsibly throws her influence in his direction, having been promised a cabinet seat if he is elected, some say.  Why else on earth would she do that?  Anyway, we tried to capture the caricatures of these candidates--real or media-imposed.  We have been tuning in to all the debates (here in Iceland at 2 A.M.), watching the polls closely, and reading many articles--trying to be good American citizens from way over here. 

Strange Eats in Iceland

 Southern Iceland received a unusually large quantity of snow last week-- here's the view from our bedroom window, though it may be misleading because it is not very far from ground level.  I walked out of our front door and there was a huge drift of snow almost completely blocking our entrance.  Now the snow is completely gone due to incessant rain.

 This is a bucket of "Salted Horse Meat"--a delicacy in Iceland, mostly eaten in January and February--a celebratory season when most traditional foods are eaten.  Siggi presented us with a special dinner : )

 Pictured along with the Icelandic horses we were watching out the kitchen window.  Cruel?

 DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!  Here's the chef.  Recipe: dump horse meat in pot of water, boil for about an hour.  Served with Siggi's special "diet potatoes" seasoned and fried in butter.

 It was SOOOOOOO good-- tender, salty, rich, wonderful.  The Super-RED meat.

 We got to use the car to go to Selfoss and buy some wool (Keith's knitting a sweater) and explore a bit.  We went to a thrift shop, and bought some of our favorite Icelandic foods at the grocery store and had a picnic in the car.  This is a fermented shark sandwich Keith put together.  The shark smells AWEFUL--I begged Keith not to get it (I won't touch it--I Have tried it--Never again), but we are in Iceland after all-- you have to let your husband eat rotten shark SOMETIMES.

 Brie and Shark on Baguette.

 I DO love the moist smoked herring you can buy for very cheap.  Why don't we eat this at home?! It's great!  We sell all of our herring to the Japanese or use it for bait, but they're really on to something here.

 Skyr-- a definite favorite.  Like yogurt, but thicker--like it holds it's shape--and richer.  This one is melon and tropical something flavored.  Really good.

Our housemates and family for the time being at our usual meeting place.