Postcard from Iceland

I got a wonderful Valentine's Day gift  in the mail last week- a postcard from "new friends in Iceland".

I don't have an official bucket list, but if I did, visiting Iceland would be on the list.  I have discovered, too, that my spouse and my adult son and even a good friend (my "guest photographer") would love to go one year, too.

It wouldn't have been easy for me prior to COVID-19.  I have had a fear of flying for many years and haven't been on an airplane in nearly 30 years.  But, that's the only way I can get to many places.  A travel agent, right before COVID-19, told me that more people than I might think take anti anxiety medication prior to flights, and that might be an option to consider.

In February, I read an online article in Forbes magazine written by Lois Alter Mark about a luxury hotel in Iceland that was offering to send postcards out to 700 people.  That was my Valentine's Day gift to myself.  My guest photographer also signed up.

Here's the site for the Hotel Rangá announcement. Their employees wanted to brighten the day of people all over the world.  They sure brightened mine.  (They did get requests for all the postcards, in case you were wondering.)

The front said "14 Feb 2021 With love, waiting for the day we can travel once again. (my name and a heart) Hope to see you soon with love from Iceland."  The stamp also was fascinating, with a "utan Evrópu" designation, meaning it was meant for postage outside Europe.  It got even more interesting when I read that Iceland stopped issuing stamps in October of last year.  It's a fascinating thing that should be of interest to anyone watching the woes of our post office system in the United States, but I digress.

The back of the postcard is a picture of the property during a visit of the Northern Lights. (And yes, I thanked them on their Facebook page.)

Before I get too excited, I have to realize that right now, Americans are banned from Iceland.  But there is always "one day".

I looked at their website and quickly realized this hotel is a bit outside my budget, (and their restaurant even more outside my budget) but you know what they say about dreams coming true? (Should I start buying lottery tickets now?) You do get a lot for your money, including access (during the dark part of the year) to an observatory, weather permitting, and a hot tub. 

I had such a good time exploring their website. It has a wealth (and I do mean a wealth) of information.

Here's a recipe for salmon, along with a dining playlist.

Lois Alter Mark, thank you for reopening this dream for me and inspiring me to learn about this country.  Just going through their website from my couch was a vacation.

To my postcard writer from Iceland, with love from the United States.

AM