Curiosity, wanderlust, and beautiful fuzzy horses
The only major regret I have from college was that I never studied abroad. I missed out on the experience of living with a host family and getting to know them, experiencing daily life in another culture, learning their values, and hearing their stories. That is why today when I travel internationally I try to stay in Air BnBs.
When was in Sauðárkrókur, Iceland, I stayed with a family for a few nights. When I first got there I took off my boots, they made me a hot tea, we leaned on the wooden counters, and got to know each other a little. They wanted to know why I decided to come to Iceland in January, and on top of that, decided to rent a car and drive 4 hours in the snowy darkness to their town.
I learned that they were both musicians and had two sons: one that was away at high school and the other who was trying to “find himself” post-graduation by playing video games in his room. We did not talk too long, but before I went to bed they offered to cook me a traditional Icelandic meal the next night, if I was interested. I was interested.
The next night over delicious cod and buttery potatoes they told me about their life. She was born on the east coast of Iceland and he in the north. He was in a band that played all over the country and they met when he played a show by her hometown. After falling in love, he convinced her to move to rural Sweden. They got a dog and a first kid, but when they decided they wanted to move back to Iceland they learned they could only bring one of them. Turns out you are not allowed to bring any animals to Iceland. So they decided to stay in Sweden for a few more years until the dog passed and son number two showed up.
They were entrepreneurs, she more grounded than he. But she believed in her dreamer/artist husband, so they kept creating life and opportunities together. The Air BnB is his current project; he wants to make the small farm they live on an interactive experience for guests. Pictured are some of their iconic Iceland horses.
As we talked their eyes became watery both from laughter and from reminiscing about their love and life. Hearing their stories reminded me yet again that you can do this thing called life however you want; so just do you and make it worth your time.
It also reminded me that the person next to you is fascinating. What could you ask them to spark a story that fills them with emotion while they tell it? How, in one question, could you subconsciously remind them that their time here has not been wasted?
After all, that’s all most of us need to sleep better -- a little validation...and some beautiful fuzzy horses.
