My life in Iceland

I arrived in Iceland 1.5 years ago to find a job and explore this beautiful island. Before I came here, a few of my friends from Poland had already moved here, which helped me a lot in the beginning. I settled in a small town in the south of the island, where life is peaceful and close to nature. Iceland is a country with exceptional nature and a harsh climate, with a population of about 370,000 people. The Polish are the largest minority group, around 20,000 people. This makes it easier to start a new life here.

I arrived in December, so I immediately saw what winter in Iceland looks like. The days are very short – the sun rises around 11:00 AM and sets around 3:00 PM. The landscape covered in snow, glaciers, and volcanoes creates incredible views. The weather is harsh, with strong winds and snow. Temperatures drop below zero.

In winter, I had the chance to see Diamond Beach, where pieces of ice shine on the black sand. It looked magical. Another winter experience was a trip to the glaciers. Iceland has many powerful glaciers, such as Vatnajökull. Exploring ice caves inside the glaciers is an amazing experience.

Soon after arriving, I experienced local holidays. Icelanders celebrate Christmas with great joy. One of the interesting traditions is the 13 elves called Jólasveinar who come down from the mountains and visit children, leaving them small gifts. In winter, warming dishes like fish soup, lamb, and various types of bread are popular. One of the more unusual delicacies is sheep's heads, which can surprise many tourists.

Winter is also the time when tourists come to Iceland to see the northern lights – one of the most beautiful natural phenomena. The best way to observe them is away from city lights. In my town, I had many opportunities to admire these incredible lights moving over the sky.

In summer, Iceland looks completely different. The days are very long, the sun almost doesn't set, which is called the white nights. Nature wakes up to life, and the landscapes become even more beautiful. In summer, green meadows, blooming flowers, and impressive waterfalls show their beauty in full glory. The weather is milder, with temperatures reaching 15-20 degrees Celsius, although sudden changes in weather can happen.

In summer, I visited many beautiful places in the south of Iceland. I visited the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, which are impressive in their power and beauty. I also saw amazing canyons, such as Fjaðrárgljúfur. {tip title="each /iːtʃ/ , zaimek" content="każdy"}Each of these places amazed me with its wild and beautiful nature.

Iceland is also known for its hot springs. After long hikes, relaxing in natural hot springs like the Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon was the perfect way to recharge. Bathing in warm, geothermal water surrounded by Iceland's raw landscape is an experience that stays with you for a long time.

One of the most exciting experiences in Iceland was seeing a volcanic eruption. In August of the previous year, a small volcano erupted, so my friends and I decided to see it. We sat on a hill with an excellent view of the volcano and flowing lava. The sight of the hot, bright red lava contrasting with the dark surroundings was absolutely breathtaking. We spent several hours there, enjoying this amazing natural spectacle.

Iceland is a country of contrasts, where the harshness of winter and the beauty of summer create unique experiences. Every day here is full of new discoveries, and life on this island, though sometimes challenging, offers a lot of satisfaction and unforgettable memories.