Waterfalls, mud pots and cowsheds

Today was my favorite day so far. It was cold, but it was not raining so that made it easier for both dressing and for photos. We started off by going out to the Godafoss waterfall where it is said that one of the rulers threw all the statues of Gods into the water when he became a Christian and thus when Iceland became a Christian nation. It was a beautiful waterfall and we walked from there to a nearby handicraft market to look at the things the ladies in the area made. Everything was pretty but we were not tempted.
Next we went to Lake Myvatn which is a volcanic area and the formations here are very different from the ones we were seeing the other day. Here they looked like big moon craters and were very unearthly looking. We walked around the paths and enjoyed the view of them and of the lake with swans on it. Next we went to another area that the lava flow created black castles and other very interesting formations. It is said that there are unseen people here-trolls and we stopped and picked one up for a short ride but he decided to get off a mile or so down the road and we stopped the bus and let him off......all in good fun.

Next we went to lunch at an interesting cafe-called the Cowshed cafe and it is literally in the cowshed. It has picture windows on one side into the barn where the cows are. Most interesting. Every lunch we have had soup but all have had onions so I have gotten a variety of things, mostly bread and tea. Today I had Skyr which is similar to plain yogurt without as much whang taste. They put blueberry sauce on top and it was quite good. I can't say it was the best thing I've ever had, but compared to putrid shark meat, it was out of this world! Then we stopped at a beautiful church that was built to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Iceland becoming Christian. It was just beautiful and had a huge glass wall of windows overlooking the mountains and scenery with a cross. It was just really a gorgeous setting. Oddur played the organ for us there and it was just a great experience.
I found out today that the heart is a symbol that this town, Akuryeri uses in the summer-it is "Smile with your heart". I liked that and am enjoying all the hearts that are around.
Tonight we had to pack out suitcases because after we come in tomorrow from our touring, Bekke our bus driver is going to drive back to Reykjavik and and we are sending our suitcases with him on the bus so we don't have to worry with them at the airport. I gather our plane will be an old fashioned prop plane and there is little or no security here so it will be easy and pretty short. It is like a 30 min flight and Bekke will meet us when we land with the bus. I am so glad that I brought EVERYTHING that I have and we are all agreeing that OAT can do a better job of giving directions on what to bring. TOday I wore a silk mock turtleneck, wool Ecuador sweater, my blue marinac jacket and my GCT jacket on top of that. I wore a hat and my gloves and did fine but was glad I had them all. If I had it to do over, I would have brought my winter jacket but this works. I just look and feel like a stuffed pig!
Iceland is really a beautiful country and we are enjoying it very much. It is wild and sparsely populated except in Reykjavik and it is easy to see why but the people love their country and I can see the life here is very simple but very special. The language is very complex and it is hard to read the signs and know what things are, unlike some languages. We have really learned a lot and it is very interesting. It snowed last night up on the mountains and they are all snow capped and beautiful this morning.
It was just a very enjoyable day.