9 Buses pulled into this little farm. They had converted their front room into a makeshift bar/restaurant. While we waited to see if the lights would appear, we decided to have some schnapps to warm up.
If you're in Iceland, in the middle of the night, in the middle of winter, about to go freeze your ass off on top of a hill...
Drink Icelandic Black Death!
About now, you're wondering, "where are all the spectacular photos?" Well, this is how it went.
We finished our drinks, and went outside. Suddenly, the tour guide came running past, yelling, "The lights are starting!" We all ran for the hill.
There it was, pale green, slowly growing, twisting and dancing. people everywhere were setting up to take pictures. The digital cameras died, their batteries couldn't take the cold. Jules knew this would be the case, so she had a 35mm and tripod at the ready.
As she hurriedly unfolded the tripod, it fell apart. Pieces dropping into the snow, total loss. She persevered, taking several shots.
After switching film, the camera bound up. later we found that it had frozen, and split.
During all the excitement, our guide slipped off the side of the mountain, and broke her leg. She was carried to the farm house, and waited for everyone to get a good look at the lights.
Once we were all back on board, she continued to do her job, making announcements and telling stories.
She did that all the way back to Reykjavik, where a smaller bus waited to take her to the hospital. She hopped over to the other bus, and insisted that the people who's hotels were on the way to the hospital ride with her, to save time. One tough Viking chick.
Now, until we get the film developed, we won't know if we have any pictures of the Aurora. But, we saw it, LIVE! Bucket list item, check.
For those of you keeping score, that's 5 checks in 5 days:
Arctic in winter
Iceland
Eating Hakarl
Blue Lagoon
Aurora Borealis
Heck Yes!
