I admit it.
After nearly four weeks of travel, I was exhausted. Mentally and physically.
Not mentioned has been my vision challenge. My right eye is still hazy; it’s as if I’m looking through a fogged window. My depth perception and balance remain frustrating. On Kinfish, I went up and down the steep stairs facing inward and grasping the handrails, fearful my compromised vision would cause me to fall. While hiking during Kinfish excursions and on Iceland adventures, I stepped carefully and cautiously, consistently using my poles. (Not always successfully, though! In Landmannalaugar, I did one of my signature slips onto my butt – helped up by three kind and age-appropriate gentlemen!)
The mental strain didn’t hit me until the end of my trip. Perhaps because I knew it was over?
Anyway, by my final day in Iceland, I was thoroughly tired. Sore from the big highland hikes and drained from the visual difficulties.
I wandered around to capture some closing images. Afterward, I shuttled to Sky Lagoon for a relaxing soak, wearing a rented swimsuit since my depleted brain forgot to put mine in my backpack – and had a fun conversation with an Icelandic diplomat and her marketing research husband.
Back at my hotel, I slowly packed, breathed, and prepared for the transition home – to my Sheila, my friends, my family, my wonderful non-travel life!
