Eruption, Storm, and the Never-setting Sun

Unlike us, the homeless & jobless moochers, our host, Oscar, keeps himself busy as the founder of non-governmental, non-profit organization, SEEDS. (SEE beyonD borderS). The organization aims at promoting respect for cultural diversity, mutual understanding and environment protection, and has many volunteers involved in various projects and activities in all over Iceland.

In prior to our departure of our journey, he suggested us to take the minivan with the volunteers who are going to a project on the east coast. The two day trip of 670 km (420 miles) one-way, leaving on the day after we arrive, will include dropping the staff off and bringing back the van to Reykjavik. As this would be a good chance to see the country side of the entire country we decided to take up on the offer. Route 1, which surrounds the coast of the entire island, is more or less about the same distance to our destination on North/South route, and so we had in mind that we can go on one of the ways and come back on the other. Unfortunately, Grimsvötn did not allow us to do so. The volcano, located on southeast, erupted on the day of arrival a d the Sourh route was closed. In addition, the unusually late spring brought the season finalé snow storm on the eastern region. Nonetheless, we decided to go.

  

Reindeer only exist on the eastern side of the island

Most of volunteers are from Europe, some experienced and others for the first time. The vehicle was filled with strange happy music, and conversation and laughter in English with various accents. We stopped now and then at sightseeing spots, but as it started to snow in the evening some of roads were closed, and we were forced to stay over at another volunteer team's cabin. We spent the next day helping the volunteers, painting wooden toys and shelves, as roads were still closed.

Sahe and I were finally able to leave on the day 3, although it was still snowing. We get to the first town and asked a guy at the visitor center about the road condition. The big Nordic man says, "I wouldn't go if I were you"... So I convinced Sahe and we went on our way but soon realized that it was a bad move. The narrow road, hangs alongside a cliff of 100m (300ft) drop, is almost not visible due to blizzard blowing into the valley. In addition, summer tires with no traction for icy pavement prevents us from going forward without skidding. 

After an hour and a half of driving at 10cm/hour, we found a gas station to rest, until the storm eased. The weather eventually got better in the late afternoon, and so we went on our way. It ended up taking 15 hours to go 670km, arriving at 1:30 in the morning which is already like dawn. This was only our fourth day, and our adventurous  journey had just begun.