Blue Lagoon and Learning

We are all safely home, back to reality.  

Apart from one bag being put on a different flight, the return journey was smooth.  The errant bag should be delivered later today, so fear not.  

Yesterday morning, we bundled everything into our bags.  The lovely people at the youth hostel let us stay in our rooms a little bit longer so that we could have a bit more time to pack up our things. Our keycards timed-out at 10am, which was perplexing, but once reception had re-booted them, we could get back into our rooms.

One of things we have learnt about on this trip, is how to find a solution for something before it becomes a problem.  Also, not worrying about things and trying not to catastrophise (i.e. think worse-case scenario) are useful things to learn to do.  There are certain times when catastrophising is necessary, such as when writing a risk assessment, or when doing something which presents considerable risk.  However, when someone is locked in the toilet, saying 'what if she's stuck in there forever?!' is not helpful, as she will not be.  (There is a recurring theme here - read this is you have time)

Also, these days so many people are consumed with worry.  Yes, there are things which we need to channel energy into, but often, worry is needless.  Material things, like boarding passes, can be replaced.  Lost luggage is often found; if it's not, this epitomises one of the many reasons to have travel insurance.  

The trusty Yorik drove us in a coach to the Blue Lagoon.  This is a major attraction in Iceland and is very well set-up for visitors.  We noted the curious juxtaposition of a natural phenomenon generated by volcanic activity and the resulting geothermal seawater, with the techy micro-chipped wristbands which were entrusted to us on arrival so that we could keep our belongings safe in a locker.  

The arrival process was quite frenetic due to the volume of people, but once we were through and floating around in the water, the experience was glorious.  The girls smeared their faces with free face-pack which hydrates the skin.  Everyone with long-hair had tied it back as the water can make it quite matted.  We floated around, variously gliding into caves, or letting the cool rain fall onto our faces.  The water was beautifully warm and warmer in certain parts of the lagoon (37 - 40 degrees).  You can read more about the Blue Lagoon here.

A couple of hours and a lost wristband later, we were airport-bound in the coach with Yorik.  Icelandair were most unhelpful at the airport, which was disappointing, and the complaint letter is next on my to-do list.  

Once things were sorted, we headed through security, having bagged-up our liquids (up to 100ml) and drunk our water.  The security arch bleeped as I passed through - then again, then again.  A security woman approached me - 'I need to carry out a search of you - are you over 16?' I gave her a huge hug.

Some of the Leaders then went foraging for sustenance for our hungry group.  The Guides took photos of us struggling back from the cafe with 28 sets of everything.  A quick scoot around the airport, and we were London-bound, in the air.  The view from the plane was stunning - the sun gently setting into a smooth orange sky, over the volcanic landscape beneath.

The Guides settled, watched films, read books, listened to music and enjoyed the penultimate leg of our incredible journey.

We glided through passport control and to baggage reclaim.  One bag had been put onto the wrong flight - I'm not sure how, as we had all checked-in together (eventually, much to the chagrin of the Icelandair ground staff).  Hopefully the missing bag is now on its way to the right place.

Steve from DJ Coaches was waiting for us in bus stop 4 at Heathrow.  Yes indeed, we had flown out of Gatwick and back to Heathrow as it was the cheapest way and gave us more time in Iceland.  A quick scoot around the M25 and we were back to Chislehurst, saying our goodbyes to the unique little community of people we had spent the week with.  We bundled off the coach and headed off in our separate ways, back to reality.

What have we learnt?
- Bring the right currency.  They don't accept Norwegian currency in Iceland
- Don't worry or catastrophise (though there are exceptions to this - see above)
- Take care and try not to lose things.  If you lose something, look for it before you run to tell Helen, because she is unlikely to know where it is
- Listen to the instructions in full before you start asking questions
- Be mindful of those around you, both group members and members of the public (who are everywhere)
- above all: embrace the experience of being abroad; you will never be in this exact same situation again, so cherish each moment.

Finally, there are a few people I wish to thank as the trip would not have been possible without them:
- the legendary leadership team: Lucie, Edda, Liz, Karen, Debbie - THANK YOU for sharing the vision and helping to make this happen
- everyone who helped with the fundraising; everyone who donated things, whether it was CDs for online resale, items for eBay; everyone who attended our Variety Show; put money in our buckets when we were bag-packing; brought things from our stalls at the various events we have attended; collected postage stamps, foreign currency, printer cartridges etc. etc.  
- special thanks to the Region Chief for a grant from her Discretionary Fund; the Pat Tiley Memorial Fund; the Leslie Sell Charitable Trust; and the Centenary Dream Fund.
- personal thanks also to my parents who helped out in so many practical ways, and my housemate who was generally very tolerant throughout the preparation phase.

So that's it! Go forth and embrace the experiences which life presents.  Thanks team.