Sunday started off in a house renovated by Worldwide Friends to house volunteers in a sustainable environment. Seeing how the house was able to repurpose car seats around a fire pit, manage a greenhouse, and focus on composting set the tone for a week full of sustainable activities with Worldwide Friends. After kicking off the day with a quick hike and some breakfast the group hopped in a van to start our volunteering journey in the south of the island at Sólheimar.

Looking back on some of the reflections today our team reflected on our first few meals, interactions, and activities in Iceland. One of the team members made the excellent point that sustainability is beyond the energy sources, sustainable food, and recyclable plastics in a community. Sustainability also includes building relationships within a community to ensure all are welcome, included, and given a space to thrive. 

These points were made after we toured the first volunteer site Sólheimar, a community built by a woman named Sesselja Sigmundsdottir in 1930 to provide a home for children with disabilities. It was really inspiring how one woman could make such an impact through her passion, hard work, and resourcefulness. Sólheimar was built in a time when society tended to institutionalize disabled people. Sigmundsdottir saw these children for what they were: human and equals.

Considered an eco-village, this town now has a variety of green houses and outdoor beds to grow crops in addition to workshops for woodworking, art, and clothes making. It has people residing in the village from all over the world who work alongside the disabled community members, who make up a large part of the population. In our guesthouse, the rooms were decorated with paintings seemingly made from residents or other volunteers. Nearby, there was a shop with handmade soaps and an exhibition of additional paintings made by the residents of Sólheimar. Sólheimar was incredibly clean and well maintained, something that has been consistent throughout Iceland. We look forward to volunteering in the village tomorrow, and continuing to learn about Icelandic culture and sustainability as we serve in other locations throughout the week.

We began Monday in Sólheimar by setting our intentions for the week. A common theme among the group was that we wanted to get to know more of the local Icelandic people and enjoy the nature that we are surrounded by. We followed that by eating breakfast together as a group and enjoying each other’s company. 

Our main activity for the day was volunteering in Sólheimar. We helped weed their community garden to make room for their strawberries, potatoes, cabbage, etc. to grow. We also had a small group go to their greenhouse to pick cherry tomatoes. Everyone was working together well and got to know each other better. We shared many laughs, and the community was very appreciative of our work!

After volunteering, we ate lunch and bonded while waiting for the van to pick us up and drive to the next location. We spent time on the balcony enjoying the scenic view and talking to each other. When we checked out, we waited in the reception area playing the piano and singing songs. Others read outside, immersing themselves in the nature around them. 

We then got in the car and made our way up north, closer to our final destination. We made a quick stop at Thingvellir National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we saw the clearest water on the planet, Silfra. This water is in between two tectonic plates. We were also able to see the seismic rift valley that marks the border between Europe and North America. We stopped one more time at the grocery store before arriving at Hrútafjörður.

At Hrútafjörður, we made sandwiches and closed out the evening with our reflections and shoutouts. Many of us enjoyed the scenery throughout the drive and gained a stronger appreciation for the peacefulness and remoteness of Iceland. We also felt very fulfilled after volunteering and giving to a community that appreciated our work. Finally, many people expressed their gratitude for each other’s company, as we spent a lot of time together volunteering and waiting for our bus to come. 

This morning we woke up at a boarding house in Hrútafjörður. A few people woke up for a sunrise walk to the water while the rest of us rose slowly and prepared breakfast. After packing up, the group went for a stroll through the meadow, stopping at a museum focused the history of the area. People to pictures and we even spotted a few attic tern, a bird native to the area. They have unique call. Shortly there after, we resumed our journey north. Making a few stops along the way. 

At our first stop, we saw Kolugljufur waterfall. It’s a very popular tourist destination that was jaw droppingly beautiful. We were able to see it from all angles, get close enough to the rapids to feel the mist, and even got a photo with the Tauber Flag. After that quick detour, we were back in the car for a few more hours where we got the chance to take in the breathtaking views and see the Icelandic countryside. We made a final stop in Hofsos. Hofsos is a very small town along the water with only one restaurant and five homes.  Many people from our group took the opportunity to interact with the locals, learning about their lives and culture. 

A short 50 minute bus ride later, we arrived at our final destination, where we will be volunteering for the next few days: Siglufjordur. Upon our arrival, we met our camp leaders who oriented us to the living quarters and divided our chores for the week. We then had some free time to explore the quaint little fishing town, some highlight including the neighborhood pool, the bakery serving free cinnamon rolls, and a spectacular view of the mountains superimposed on the glassy water. After a homemade Taco Tuesday dinner, the group ventured out for a healthily-competitive game of volleyball, where we shared an abundance of hearty laughs. We expect this to be a reoccurring activity throughout the remainder of the week here in siglufjordur. After some reflections on our time in Iceland together so far, we went to sleep early in anticipation of a long hard days work ahead of us!

Amid the breathtaking Icelandic landscape, our first full day in Siglufjordhur kicked off with an exciting adventure that set the tone for a fulfilling day of volunteering and exploration. The sun painted the sky in shades of orange and gold as we began our sunrise hike at the early hour of 4 am, leading us to a stunning lookout point. The effort was worth it as we witnessed the landscape come to life with the first light of day, leaving us amazed.

Following a hearty breakfast, we walked 30 minutes to the forest, ready to contribute to the community's reforestation efforts. The day was full of camaraderie and purpose, starting with a scenic walk to the reforestation site for team-building activities. Amid the peaceful surroundings, we took part in exercises that strengthened our bond as a group and instilled a sense of responsibility for nature.

A quick stop at a mesmerizing waterfall allowed us to take in the beauty of the land and offered a chance for a brief tour of the forested area. Our connection to the natural world deepened with each step. Upon returning to the cabin, we enjoyed a well-deserved coffee break with local snacks, recharging our energy for the day ahead.

An unexpected highlight was meeting the person managing the forest and cabin. Engaging in conversation, we learned about the region's history, its people, and the forest's vital role in maintaining ecological balance. These interactions emphasized the significance of connecting with locals, building a sense of community, and immersing ourselves in the area's culture.

Our volunteering efforts kicked into gear as we worked on cutting down branches and gathering them in a pile. This sustainable initiative helps maintain the soil's chemical composition by preventing excess branches from disrupting the balance. This hands-on experience not only helped the environment but also deepened our appreciation for the delicate ecological system that sustains this beautiful land. We formed an assembly line to effectively transfer the sticks and logs to their designated spot.

As the day concluded, we paid a visit to Bakari, a local bakery, to enjoy some authentic treats. Indulging in these offerings felt like a satisfying end to a rewarding day. As we went our separate ways for afternoon activities, some people went to the pool to relax after a long day. We chatted in the hot tub and a few were daring enough to enter the ice bath.

In just one day, Siglufjordhur captured our hearts with its natural beauty, strong sense of community, and dedication to preserving the environment. As we settled in for the night, excitement brimmed as we looked forward to the days ahead, each holding the promise of being as remarkable as the one we had just experienced.

We continued today where we left off yesterday by working in the forest in the city of Siglufjordur. We used hand saws to trim dead/rotting branches from trees to help them grow healthier. These branches were then (using our assembly line method) taken to a spot to be picked up by a trailer. We loaded the trailers full of the branches to be taken to a sustainable biomaterial recycling center in town. Along with picking up the sticks, we were able to lay down some new gravel trails in the forest to make a more enjoyable experience for the community. 

We were able to bear the fruits of our labors throughout several interactions with the community. Along with working alongside the leaders of the forestation effort, we were able to see the locals walk through and appreciate the beauty of the forest. Everybody was so kind and expressed their appreciation for our efforts. We even met the former owner of the forest that planted trees as a 12 year old (now age 85) in the 50’s. He kindly treated our group with cans of sparkling water and coca cola.  

After a productive day’s work in the forest, we partook in some lovely chicken fajita bowls produced by four of us. A little later, some students were even able to sample some of the finest fish and chips that the town had to offer. Some of us were not able to resist the delicious smell of cinnamon rolls from the local bakery and indulged in the local pastries. 

In the afternoon, we participated in a workshop learning about the history of Iceland and the importance of glaciers to the global ecosystem. In the lens of climate change and sustainability, Iceland prioritizes sustainability and the preservation of glaciers. Glaciers help reflect sunlight back out into space and hold much of the world’s freshwater; if the glaciers were to melt, rising sea levels and lack of ice albedo will bring certain doom to the world. Another sustainability initiative in Iceland is reforestation efforts. As much as 30% of the island was once covered by forests, but that number is around 3% today. It is awesome to be able to make a direct impact on this front with our VA project.

We concluded the night with fellowship, a calming movie (Midsommar), and a late night snack. One of our camp leaders worked tirelessly to produce an Icelandic classic: Lamb stew! After consuming a nice, warm bowl of stew, we slept easily and looked forward to the upcoming adventures planned for tomorrow!