otherwordly

This a piece I submitted to the New York Times recently for a role– and I wanted to share it on my personal blog with you guys.

The most interesting place that I ever visited is… Iceland.

I had traveled there for the first time two years ago and felt compelled to visit again this past month. To say that it’s a strangely beautiful place, doesn’t even begin to paint the landscape in an appropriate way. Between the isolated moss-covered lava plains, the rolling green hills, and countless wild horses, you’ll find yourself asking how such an otherworldly place could exist.

The abounding hues of black and green collide in a way that truly feels supernatural. While it possesses a mystical quality, it also feels incredibly familiar. Everyone that I’ve met has spoken English and exudes the warmth of a long-time friend.

One of the fascinating aspects of this volcanic island is that the tectonic plates running across it straddle the Eurasian and North American line. Essentially, you could take a swim and dive down between the continents. The Mid-Atlantic ridge even offers a wild view of the division that can be seen on land.

Land that is every bit of awe-inspiring in its own right. I found that that the roads appeared infinite and yet I could only ever drive for 30-minute increments at a time. With each new bend in the road, the landscape beckoned a photo-worthy moment. I had stopped countless times on this most recent trip as I felt a strong urge to soak in the beauty that might one day shift entirely due to Iceland’s ever-changing scenery.

One place that left the greatest impression on me was some 5 hours East of Reykjavik called Jökulsárlón. A glacier lagoon that substantially creates its own weather system. A noticeable drop in temperature couldn’t possibly deter me from relishing in the indescribable view. I’m not sure that I’ve ever felt as isolated anywhere else in the world as I did in that moment. As night crept in, I made my way down to the inside of the lagoon. I was fully prepared with my camera gear to ensure that I would have a tangible memory to hold onto in the case of the Northern Lights appearing.

After an hour of photographing the night sky, my camera sensor picked up the most subtle hint of green. I then looked up but couldn’t detect a visible change in color. I attempted another long shutter-speed shot and waited patiently for the sky to reveal the show I had been long waiting for. Before the LCD screen could expose the capture, the sky transitioned into a deep shade of ineffable green.

While I was in complete awe of what I was witnessing, my mind was struggling to comprehend the vivid display of dancing lights. When I first discovered what Aurora Borealis was years ago, I never imagined that I would ever be able to witness them yet alone photograph them. This moment didn’t only imprint me in a long-lasting way, but it provided me with a photograph that now sits on top of my fireplace mantle alongside some of my most treasured keepsakes.

To say that Iceland is the most interesting place that I’ve ever visited is a profound understatement. It possesses a distinct magic that will have you longing to return sooner than later.