The World Unfiltered

-This was probably the smoothest flight (SFO to JFK on JetBlue) and definitely smoothest landing I have ever experienced!

-Talk to strangers, because you never know what you’ll hear. I was sitting on a bench at JFK waiting for the shuttle to Newark and a girl was waiting for her husband and son to arrive, so we started talking. She said with a straight face “Yeah, I enjoyed my eight days of quiet, but there is nothing like a man in your butt.” Oooookayyy well umm yeah I just laughed with her and played that one off haha.

-I am on the bus now! I should have gone to pee before getting on the bus, but I didn’t have to go then. This is like my childhood, eh just my everyday life. I always have to pee at the most inopportune times. Like twenty minutes into a long car ride. Sure enough, right on cue! Why does my body never learn to cooperate? It is also a good thing that we are experiencing a very bumpy road with absorbent seats…oh wait no that’s not good.

-I should be excited that I am going to make it to my next flight on time, with some time to spare, but honestly all I can think right now is “Hooray! We are almost at a bathroom!”

-(It is a good thing I took care of that before getting up to the security line because I would have been even more of an embarrassment when I met Fred Armisen (SNL, Portlandia) and Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black, American Pie)!) I saw what looks like Fred but wasn’t sure, but my gut is already flipping inside out. I took a creep photo to send to one of my New York roommates for verification. It was verified. Okay. It’s him. Now what? I have met celebrities before, after seeing them perform on Broadway. Why can’t I keep my cool right now? HE IS RIGHT NEXT TO ME! And this other girl who looks very familiar but I can’t pinpoint who she is. (Natasha looks very different with platinum blond hair and glasses). We are now less than two feet apart. Ok Alyx it’s now or never. I turn around planning on being cool but easier said than done. “Hi, when we get past security can I get a picture???” He said “Of course!” Natasha got pissed and exclaimed “Oh my God, every time!” That might have been because I only asked him? I didn’t piece together who she was until after though. Anyway, I got the picture, and we had a full on conversation about how amazing Iceland is and that he is thrilled I am going. Yes friends, WE WERE ON THE SAME FLIGHT!

Yes I am aware that I look like I have been awake and traveling since 3AM…but Fred Armisen!!!!

-There is something magical about watching the plane go through and above the layer of clouds.

-I am now officially in Iceland! No customs? I just had to walk up to the window, get my passport stamped, and I am good to go! I shared my shock with a Danish couple and their response was, “Welcome to Europe, the land where everything works, almost, but at least we trust each other.”

-I explored the departure floor for a bit then realized you have to go downstairs to exit. Shampoo is $15??? Good thing my hostel provides that for free!! I bought my FlyBus ticket to go to my hostel, but the girl just handed me the ticket and gave me no further instruction. I walked around aimlessly again and then ventured outside where multiple buses were just sitting there. I walked up to one of them, gave the driver my ticket, and that worked. I pronounced Hlemmur Square properly (yay language research)!

-Ok the bus doors are closed. WE GOIN’ SOMEWHERE! They drive on the right side of the road, so renting a car and driving yourself is easy. Semi expensive, but easy. Also, Iceland has very strict laws on seat belts. You must wear them! Unlike New York cab drivers who don’t give a sh!t. There are a lot of curvy and narrow roads, and lots of unpredictable/ever changing weather.

-FlyBus is awesome and super flexible. Just show up to any bus, tell them where you want to go, and off you go!

-Being here, it feels a little weird but at the same time it doesn’t. I get excited about doing things I can’t do in other places, but being in other places and doing crazy things isn’t new to me. It’s great! But some people are surprised by my reaction when they ask if I am excited. Yes I am excited, but this is also just the way I live my life. It’s normal. Amazingly awesome, but normal.

-Having no routine is what I do with my life. Constant adventure is what I crave. Knowledge and experience is what I seek. Interpersonal and personal growth is what I yearn for. Inspiring others is what I hope for. And at all of those, succeed I shall!