The fact that I just typed "week 11" is absolutely insane to me. I can't believe I'm so close to completing this trip. For these last few weeks though, I'm not slowing down, in fact, the last week has been packed with some of the craziest travel and adventure I've experienced during the entire three month duration of this journey. In the last week, I've reached the summit of dolimitic peaks, sailed across the North Atlantic, and climbed to the top of mountains overlooking the fjords of the Faroe Islands. It's been a week to remember, that's for certain.
Wednesday
I took yet another chill day, just spending time with my host family. It was my last legitimate rest day for about 1.5 weeks, so I was happy to take advantage of the chance to relax. That night, Sara, my amazing hostess, baked me a going away cake. It was such a wholesome experience, and wow, was that cake ever good. Once this day was over, things started getting crazy, and pretty much haven't stopped.
Thursday:
I'd been praying for a break in the rainy weather. On Thursday morning, I finally got my wish. The forecast was for a mostly sunny morning, so I decided I had to send one final sunrise mission in the Dolomites. I woke up very early and drove to the trailhead. After hiking in the dark for about an hour, I reached the top and was greeted with one of the most awe-inspiring views I'd ever witnessed. A cloud inversion covered half of the valley, creating the illusion that I really was on top of the world. On the other half, a misty, golden haze swirled around the trees and the towns down below me, a truly fairy tale-like scene. Behind me, the mountains towered up, ignited with the orange and golden hues of the newly risen sun. I was standing at the foot of a massive cross, completely entranced in the majesty of the earth and it's creator.
I spent the rest of the morning packing. When afternoon came, it was time to say goodbye. I gave lots of hugs, and took the train back to Vicenza, where I was able to spend one more night with the Stephens.
Friday:
At long last, my time in Italy was at an end. Living in this country for six weeks was one of the best experiences of my life, and I'm thankful for it beyond belief. The people, the mountains, the food, and so much more made this country one of my favorite places on earth. I know for a fact that I will return.
I woke up early on Friday morning and headed off to the airport. I had a two hour flight to Germany, a 2.5 hour layover, a two hour flight to Copenhagen, a five hour layover, a 40 minute flight to Aalborg, and then an hour of train rides to my hotel in Hirtshals. It was a grueling day of travel. Honestly, the best parts of this day were #1, eating a delicious hamburger for the first time in months, and #2, finally walking through the door of my hotel room and passing out in bed. I was just so happy to have finally made it.
Saturday:
I woke up and enjoyed breakfast at Montra Skaga Hotel and then prepared to leave. This time, I was headed to a ship. The Smyril Line Ferry, M.S. Norrona, which was bound for my next destination, the Faroe Islands. I boarded the ship early in the afternoon and took a much needed nap. Once the ship departed though, I was in trouble. I haven't gotten motion sickness since I was a young child, but that ship got me. The constant up and down motion gave me the worst seasickness/motion sickness I'd ever had. Even after taking some medicine, I spent about two hours laying in bed in the fetal position waiting for it to pass. Eventually, it somewhat improved and I was able to eat and sleep. But yeah, not the most fun I've ever had. All part of the experience though!
Sunday:
Sunday was a day at sea. The Norrona made it's way through the rough, icy waters of the North Sea. I had found my sea legs (to a certain degree at least), and spent the morning exploring the ship and taking photos. Later in the afternoon, I was able to get a good nap and a solid workout in the gym on-board.
Later that evening, the ship passed by the Shetland Islands of the northern U.K. late in the afternoon as the sun was setting and I was able to witness a gorgeous sunset from my cabin window.
Monday:
The Norrona pulled into the Torshavn harbor at 5am and all the passengers who were getting off there had to disembark within one hour...ouch. I ate a quick breakfast, got packed, and left the ship, happy to have my feet on solid ground again. I walked to Hotel Hafnia, my home for the week, got myself checked in, and went to pick up my rental car!
I've driven a manual car approximately four times in my entire life, so when I got behind the wheel and saw it was a 6-speed manual, I thought, "oh boy, this should be interesting." I'm pretty sure I stalled eight times trying to get out of the parking lot because I kept having it in the wrong gear. EVENTUALLY I realized my stupid mistake and headed off! My plan was drive all along the coast of Streymoy and stop whenever I saw fit to take photos. I quickly discovered that if I stopped at every opportunity I would make zero progress. The Faroe Islands hold a new breathtaking view around practically every corner. It's unbelievably beautiful. The mountains slope straight up from the surface of the ocean, creating massive fjords. Seagulls soar through the sky and sheep are scattered all over the mountainsides and often times the road itself. Fun fact, there are almost double as many sheep as there are people here! I stopped in some gorgeous villages along the way and enjoyed the permanent golden hour light of the North Atlantic in November.
That evening, I drove over to Esturoy to find this insane viewpoint I'd found online. The sun was on it's way to setting, so I had to move quick. I found the parking lot and hoofed it up to the viewpoint. My breath was taken from my lungs and I smiled one of the biggest smiles the world has ever seen. I don't need to explain why. Just look.
No photo can truly do this place justice. It must be experienced. I drove down from the mountains, had a mini dance party in the middle of the road because I was purely stoked about being alive, and then drove back to my hotel for the evening.
Tuesday:
I woke up for breakfast and headed back to Esturoy, where I met with the representative of the Faroe Islands tourism board for this particular island. We had a great meeting, and she made some very promising suggestions about where I should go. Before I set off on my hike, she showed me an incredibly old house that has been assembled, disassembled, and moved to different towns four times over the course of it's existence. 16 people lived in this tiny home. The doorways were extremely short. I felt like Gandalf walking into Bilbo's hobbit hole. 90% of the structure is original, made from driftwood hundreds of years ago. They even still have some sheepskin shoes in the house!
Then, I started my ascent into the mountains, in search of a viewpoint called the altar. I was amazed by the quiet and the solitude I felt. There was no sound other than the crunching of my boots in the snow. When I finally made it to the altar, I understood the name. It's a place that leads one to feel as though they must drop to their knees and worship. I spent a long time on the mountain. Shooting, standing, just taking it all in. It was a hike I will never forget.
After finally deciding to call it a mission complete, I hiked back down and ate lunch at the tourism office before heading back to my hotel for the late afternoon and evening.
Conclusion:
If you can't tell, I had an amazing week. I am so blown away by all I have witnessed, and so thankful for the opportunity for these experiences. I do have to give a huge shoutout to Smyril Line and Visit Faroe Islands for making all of these adventures possible. They've been an absolute pleasure to work with for every step of the way.
During sunset my first evening in the Faroes, I had an interesting moment. Despite that stunning view, I was kind of overwhelmed by the loneliness of that moment. I loved what I was seeing, but experiencing it alone made me sad.
I prayed about what I was feeling, and what I heard next were some of the most life-defining words I've ever heard:
"There is no shame in loneliness. There is only shame in letting that loneliness define your experience."
I'm pretty sure I let out and audible "holy s**t" after those words went through my head. On this trip, I have felt lonely. I have felt scared. I have felt helpless. But those aren't the defining factors of this journey! Just pieces that I've had to work through.
This trip has shown me that it's okay to be lonely. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to be uncomfortable in ways you never could have expected. Those feelings don't have the power to be the focal point of your walk through life unless you allow them to.
The truth is, no matter what situations life throws at us, we will always experience negative emotions sometimes, even in the midst of good. But we can't let that negativity define us. Let us instead be defined by the joy, the peace, the awe, the gratitude, and all the other beautiful feelings that are a part of the human experience.
For you this week:
Are there negative emotions you've allowed to take over in your life? How can you shift your focus?
Song for this week:
Around the Corner - Mike Mains & The Branches
As always, chase your passions, stay stoked, love first and remember that fulfillment lies on the far side of discomfort.
Until next week,
- Zwiegs
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