Colors of Iceland

The community of Solheimar has moved me. I recognize that each and every experience I have impacts the person I choose to be. I chose to embark on this adventure because I knew that it would help facilitate positive growth in myself.  I can only imagine how much I will truly change over the course of this semester; in my thoughts, I cannot wait to see the results. I am excited to become fully engaged with the Solheimar community. Never before have I worked with people so different from myself. They are different in a noble way. In a way that is hard to find words to adequately express. I recognize myself growing with each interaction and conversation I have with the home people, my fellow peers and residents of this beautiful country.  The people of Solheimar were so happy to welcome our unfamiliar group into their community.  If I leave this place assuming the same level of genuineness as the people of this village I will truly be a far better version of myself.

Eg heitir McKayla. This is what Iceland and its people have given me in my short time here.  I am a big fan of lists, so here it goes.

Inspiration in all forms.

Empowerment.

Shifting paradigms. Shifting skewed perceptions.

Open discussions involving critical thinking. Systems thinking. Deep ecology.      

Thinking like a mountain. Then climbing one.

Spirituality and self-reflection. Music.

Alien landscapes full of color and wonder.

The northern lights…magic.

Thermal pools. Lava fields. Volcanos. Destruction, creation.

Glaciers. Melting snowcaps. Chasing Ice.

The power of rainbows, wind and a forever changing scene.

Sunshine-rain-snow: all in 5 minutes.

Sheep on sheep on sheep. Culture & Controversy.

Discovery. The Vikings ARRGH.

Hank’s iceberg metaphor. The things we don’t talk about.

Materialism and consumerism. Simple living- sustainable living.

Creative solutions found within a think-tank.

Finding meaning of Sustainability within a community. Solheimar.

Artists are not unreliable; lawyers, politicians?

Corporate greed and dishonesty. Corruption. Dreamland.

Constant progression and/or destruction.

Aluminum smelting by means of cheap energy. Exploitation of the landscape.

Operations that are in harmony with natural systems. Ones that destroy them.

Recognizing assumptions. Losing them.

Taking responsibility. Finding solutions.

A new perspective on renewables. Greenwashing.

Food. Lentils. Coffee-Tea-Cookies and more coffee. The troll garden.

Hiking. Pure exhilaration. Palli and Rosa are bold and fearless.

If the sheep can do it, we can do it.

Hugs. Smiles. Genuine interactions. Language barriers.

Joining hands for morning meeting. Nothing else matters in that moment. 

Feeling alive. LOVE.

Bless Bless! McKayla Baker