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Today I have learnt how places in Iceland preserve their traditions and at the same time open up to modernity.
This can be clearly observed using the example of the former Húsafell farm. Páll Gundmundsson lives in this small settlement in western Iceland. He is a natural artist with many talents. Opposite his house there is a church that belongs to the residents of this place. For me, the archway as the entrance to this peaceful scenery, is the foto of the day.
In contrast to this is the hotel Húsafell, which has impressed me with its modern, light-flooded architecture.
Thank you all for seeing so many beauties.

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Today I reflected on the nature of Icelandic choice - the choice to live in harmony with nature, the choice to socialise or live in an isolated way. I learnt that Icelandic people recognise that the land they live on predates them by far and as such their presence is fleeting and should have little impact on the environment. The preservation of natural Iceland as well as the preservation of the stories that guard it are a key part of the culture. I also found great enjoyment in feeling a part of that nature and taking time to appreciate the natural world, both in grand wonders and small beauties.

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I'm sure the day I've lived today will remain unforgettable in my mind forever.
When you start the day guided by a driver that knows everything about Iceland and is able to transmit his respect and passion for the nature, he guided you to meet some trolls in the middle of the mountain, and suddenly, you find yourself taking coffe and cake feeling the sun, with such a peaceful view, while listening the author of many trolls stories and the creator of the space where you are, you don't want to leave. You want remain there, feeling that nothing can't be better,
But suddenly, you find yourself getting ready to get into a cave, in the deep throats of a volcano, and you are able of feeling how the lava was running over there, from side to side, thanks to the stories you're listening from a passionate cave guide, helping you to imagine how the trolls where everywhere there, you can only be grateful.
Grateful to have the opportunity of listening the passionated professionals that guided us today, grateful to the great lesson that we have received in open spaces, and thankful of having such an opportunity.

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Wow! What breathtaking landscape, both above and below ground! Today we have seen nature at its finest; I can’t imagine how anyone would get bored of seeing the sights we have. With so many moments filled with awe and wonder, it’s reminded me that we need to take time or remember that magic is everywhere and we just need to take time to stop and appreciate it. The people of Iceland have shown this today through their shared belief in the hidden figures of Iceland and how they are intertwined with the proven history of the Vikings and all who came afterwards.

Both the reading for today and the experiences have highlighted how important it is to appreciate the simplest pleasures in life and respect what we are caretakers of, whether it’s for the hidden people or not. Whatever our motivation, we need to look after nature!

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Wojtek: Rock'n'Troll, the kind that soothes the soul

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Wojtek: Rock'n'Troll, the kind that soothes the soul

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If a man tells you he has put aside a career in the music industry and devoted himself to running a troll park, called Rock’n’Troll, in the inhospitable Icelandic highlands and to writing acclaimed stories about trolls, you sit up and listen. And the more you listen, the more you believe.  The dark winters and majestic awe-inspiring landscapes cannot but hide mysterious and awe-inspiring creatures. Trolls are mostly giants living in rocks, cliffs and mountains. They can only venture out in the dark - if caught in the sunlight, they turn to stone. Quite a few of those unlucky ones are there for all to see, or at least for those with eyes to see them. They can be man-eaters but can also be kind and grateful. They can be man-haters but can also form romantic relationships with humans. Some say the last trolls have already died. They may have done, but their shapes and faces live on, preserved in rock. And in rock’n’troll.

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I have no words to describe today, the experiences lived and the learning received. Wow, what a lesson in geology we have received in the bowels of the earth!The destructive power of a wild river of lava was able to create something as beautiful and impressive as the cave we have visited. Closing your eyes on it, in absolute darkness, has been impressive and a new example of the Icelandic soul: respect and conservation of a natural and pure heritage like that of this cave and the water that filters into it.How easy it was to imagine lava flowing through the tunnel!And, what to say about all the troll stories that our driver has told us so well (a good connoisseur of this country, in all aspects) How many things have we learned with him and what troll stories he has told us! Our students will be amazed.I have also reflected on the personal story of our host in Fossatum, Steinar Berg, a musician and writer passionate about trolls and who, among other things, has taught us the difference between the Icelandic trolls (more humanized) and the Nordic ones and has told a beautiful story of trolls.He has even told us how to see a troll smiling while placidly contemplating the beautiful waterfall of the place.A day scored with a 10!

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I have no words to describe today, the experiences lived and the learning received. Wow, what a lesson in geology we have received in the bowels of the earth!The destructive power of a wild river of lava was able to create something as beautiful and impressive as the cave we have visited. Closing your eyes on it, in absolute darkness, has been impressive and a new example of the Icelandic soul: respect and conservation of a natural and pure heritage like that of this cave and the water that filters into it.How easy it was to imagine lava flowing through the tunnel!And, what to say about all the troll stories that our driver has told us so well (a good connoisseur of this country, in all aspects) How many things have we learned with him and what troll stories he has told us! Our students will be amazed.I have also reflected on the personal story of our host in Fossatum, Steinar Berg, a musician and writer passionate about trolls and who, among other things, has taught us the difference between the Icelandic trolls (more humanized) and the Nordic ones and has told a beautiful story of trolls.He has even told us how to see a troll smiling while placidly contemplating the beautiful waterfall of the place.A day scored with a 10!

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Again quite surprised how the people of Iceland apparently dont follow a binary 1-0 policy when it comes to believing in supernatural things and legends. Do trolls exist, or are they creatures who only exist in fairytales? It seems that the people here don't feel the need to answer the question. They just embrace the stories and everything connected to them instead.

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At the end of this amazing day I see, that I learnt how important it is to look careful at things so you to see the details and the hidden things. On one of my pictures I found another troll or troll dog? Decide yourself!

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I was very impressed by visiting the lava cave today. Thanks to the excellent tour guide, I learnt a lot about the formation of the cave and its special features.  Today I realized again how important it is to be mindful and to perceive the beauty of nature with all your senses.

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Today I learnt just how much the natural world and volcanic activity has shaped Iceland’s history and belief systems. It appears that many Icelandic beliefs stem from the island’s historical settlers and the ways in which they explained to unexplainable. From lava caves that looked like wormholes to rock formations that looked like the faces of trolls, volcanoes have played a huge role in Icelandic culture.

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Today I learnt that Iceland’s natural history and human history are thouroughly interlaced. The story of the Lava Caves forming over a thousand years is paired with evidence of an unknown Viking person who visited and stayed inside while the caves were still cooling.

The volcanoes and mountain peaks that have stood for thousands of years are each associated with tales of trolls and hidden folk.

It seems that everthing great and impressive in Iceland’s landscape adopts it’s own human stories with very human moral messages.

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Wow! What a day! Today, we saw a very different side of Reykjavik. A wild, unforgiving, but spectacular side. I learned so many fascinating facts today, but it isn't these I wish to reflect on. Primarily, my take-home from today's incredible experience relates to the manner in which our driver Inge (hopefully I have spelled his name correctly) and the author Steinar relsted their stories to us.

They were clearly knowledgeable about Iceland's history and traditions, and were able to combine this knowledge with a passion and love for their country (Inge told me at lunch that he felt privileged to live in Iceland). The delivery of their stories is measured, giving themselves time to think and their audience time to digest, and it is through all of this that you can see how important it is for them to transmit their cultural heritage, continuing the oral tradition of their forebears.

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The majesty of nature was seen in full force today. The power of the rapids, the strength of the cave lava rocks, and the delicacy of the stalactites all charmed and amazed the senses.
For me, today was all about nature's colours. It was a photography dream to see nature in so many hues and levels of intensity.
I also adore how trolls are part of nature, not in addition to it.  They appear everywhere once you start looking! Icelanders value their presence and show respect to everywhere they may be.
Today was indeed a special experience which was made all the more memorable by sharing it with friends old and new!