Geology and Hydrology

Yesterday we went on a tour of what is known as the Golden Circle (maybe for the sake of tourism but nonetheless, Golden). First stop was a greenhouse run by a blond man and his blond family where something like 16% of Iceland's tomatoes are grown. They have a clever dual rotating planting system which allows for tomatoes to be harvested continually.  His lovely blond wife served us tomato soup made that morning. We got the recipe  if you're interested:

Fresh tomatoes
Vegetable stock
Water
Cayenne pepper

Seeds, skin and all.
The greenhouses glow eerily orange from the road.

Next stop, Guilfoss, a two-tiered waterfall which was saved from becoming a hydro-plant by a young lady in the late 1800's / early 1900's. The artist's depiction of her was no joke - she had a teacher-face to cow the gods.

Next, geysers! We were informed on our way there that, in the summertime, tourists who have driven themselves to the geysers often stick their hands INTO the geysers and suffer severe burns.  Ahem. If you're feeling bad for them remind yourself that these are likely the same people who decide it's a good idea to waggle their fingers at piranhas; feed elephants peanuts by holding them in their teeth; give a koala bear a tummy rub when it's having a nap. Darwin's theory at work.

The eruption of the main geyser is like a giant jellyfish emerging from a pool and then being BLOWN TO high heaven. It was awesome.

Facts about horses in Iceland:
1) In case you're ever in a pinch and need to order a horse from an Icelander--- eldhestar = horse rental. It also might mean volcano horse- that was the second line of English on the sign and what I hope it really means.
2) In Iceland they eat horses. But don't worry! They only eat the mean ones, so you don't have to feel bad about eating them. (Seriously, that's what we were told.)

Next stop, another spa. Lovely and warm, beautiful view on a lake, but not as awesome as the Blue Lagoon. They'd made some brown sweet bread by burying it in the hot, black geothermal pool sand. Unfortunately, when the man dug it up and opened it it poured out like brown vomit instead of firm delicious bread - the tide had come in a bit during the night.  We did not try that particular batch.

Last stop, Thingvellir, the site of the ancient Icelandic parliament. It was getting dark and late so we didn't get as much time as would have been ideal but nonetheless awesome. The coolest bonus for me (E) was the location of the site along part of the seam where the American and Eurasian plates come together. Right there. Touchable. So flipping cool. There are fissures leading to underground caves where you can see whole ecosystems and get lost while scuba diving.

In the evening, the Northern Lights Tour. More on that after dinner.