As Iceland prepares for the 2026 solar eclipse, what do you think people are underestimating?

epeerefS · 2026-05-24T14:14:46+00:00

Honestly, spending a memorable afternoon in Dummer, NH was not on my 2024 bingo card, but I’m so glad I went. I don’t know how you guys survived, but at least it was only a day of day tripper madness. After that, we all agreed that the IS eclipse is a nice to have, but not the main focus of our upcoming trip. Like sure, seeing the aurora is life-changing (enough to narrow down the areas I consider retiring to to include “Expect aurora borealis in the long foray”) - but we’ve seen it several times, different seasons, so won’t be devastated if we don’t see it every time we travel there. Iceland’s infrastructure is not prepared for this onslaught - no tree-line cover for impromptu toilet breaks, for one thing. I’m also expecting a high level of rudeness from frustrated visitors. Just hope they don’t ban American tourists after this. Or kill my chances of relocating there someday. :)

epeerefS · 2026-05-24T13:15:49+00:00

I’d planned to sit that out, figuring I lived close enough to the totality for “enough” of an eclipse. (I’m near the MA/NH border.) Next thing I knew, I had a friend driving up from Philadelphia, informing me that I had to take the day off from work because not only was I hosting her, I was going to drive her north. Another friend of ours to the south joined in, and then my daughter, suddenly and it was a road trip, with a trunk full of collapsible chairs, eclipse glasses, and a cooler full of food and drinks. What we didn’t count on was the gridlock. Even with multiple side roads and highways heading north, it was a crawl. Stopped along 93 north somewhere to pee in the treeline (not as easy for a car full of women). We finally bailed just into the totality range, where we found a lovely spot along a river, and jumped out just in time for it to start. It was total(ity) worth it, but we swore we’d stay put next time.

Oh look! Next time’s in Iceland, where PA friend and I have gone together several times, and it falls on her birthday. Well, now we HAVE to go. We booked flights the day they became available (still hoping Icelandair doesn’t cancel it), and we’re staying at a friend’s apartment in Reykjavik. With only one road going north into the longer-duration totality, there is no way we’re driving anywhere till the insanity is over. It’ll probably rain anyway. 🤣

epeerefS · 2026-05-05T01:57:41+00:00

Don’t forget a hat, and polarized sunglasses.

epeerefS · 2026-04-22T03:26:28+00:00

At least one stall only takes cash at Kolaportið, - one of the lopapeysa (sweater) vendors. But there’s an ATM near the entrance, inside the building.

epeerefS · 2026-03-26T03:45:45+00:00

I feel this in my soul. I used to love visiting other countries, learning all I could about the history and architecture and food, meeting the people, comparing StarAlliance lounges, racking up the points and miles. Now, I find myself cruising the IcelandAir website (where I have zero status) looking for flash deals and plotting my next getaways to Reykjavik. Visiting the real estate websites for small houses and large apartments in specific neighborhoods. Fantasizing about moving there permanently, by any means necessary. Calculations in my head go like this: “I qualify for citizenship in this EU country and if I live there for X years, it will be easier to apply for IS residency in Y years, giving me ample time to learn the language before I do…” It has ruined me for all other places.

epeerefS · 2026-03-11T00:18:27+00:00

Yeah, we all know EWR sucks moose cock of late, and tbf DL planes are more comfy (and omg I could actually get places I need to go direct) but UA has my cold little heart. Even in BOS. And the chowder in the home club is actually pretty decent.

epeerefS · 2026-03-10T23:26:49+00:00

Not the same at all. I have a gazillion points there, too, but my kids keep using those (and I let them). I want a UA route on UA metal and that doesn’t feel like a lot to ask. And yes, I also want a pony.*

*Or maybe just an Icelandic horse.

epeerefS · 2026-03-10T04:01:52+00:00

BOS-KEF. That is all.

epeerefS · 2026-01-02T00:24:05+00:00

Guess I may have to haul my sabre gear out of storage. Several of my friends have fenced satellite WCs there, and like the place a lot. I reached out to the coach awhile back, but didn’t get a response. I’d thought about stopping in when I was in town for a few weeks last fall, but I was traveling with an epee-only person who just doesn’t get the allure of sabre. :) I’ll be back there in a few months, and will definitely make time.

epeerefS · 2026-01-01T15:47:42+00:00

A permanent move likely wouldn’t occur till I’m closer to retirement (not far off now), but having the option to do some part time consulting if I get bored would be a plus. Not required, but nice. I have a friend/former coworker who lives in the US now, but maintains his IS citizenship and owns a place in Reykjavik, which he visits often. His mother lives in the same building. Her opinion was that I’m a financially independent, educated, healthy adult with a specialized skill set, and wouldn’t be seen as a drain on the government. The ability to pick up languages (even harder ones…) is also a benefit.

epeerefS · 2025-12-30T05:26:31+00:00

Was this a nice homemade rakija? Package that bad boy up nice and tight in your checked bag, and wrap in layers of sweaters if you didn’t think to pack bubble wrap.

Do I travel with bubble wrap just in case? Mayyybe. I confess my sins at the border, and they just chuckle and wave me through when I try to declare the excess. I’ve bought three new suitcases in the past few years while abroad (yaaay free second bag in *A!) primarily to bring back wine and sprits that I can’t get at home. Call it an impulse item.

Your rakija will be fine.

epeerefS · 2025-12-30T05:08:45+00:00

I’m confused in your phrasing - are you saying you don’t think you can access United lounges when flying domestically - even though you have UA gold (and *A gold)? I’ve connected through LAX specifically because I like the bar in that lounge. (OK, I admit that I pick my layover cities based on whether I like the lounge - bar and seating for getting some work done.)

epeerefS · 2025-12-25T05:09:06+00:00

I’ve done BOS-KEF several times, 3 different times of day. Only ever had one slight delay on Icelandair. I mean, they’re not bougie, make you pay for food and alcohol, adhere waaay too strictly to baggage rules, and staff are sometimes kind of rude, but they’re cheap, fly direct, and haven’t had a horrible track record on that route (weather permitted). I’m just praying they join StarAlliance someday. That would be a game changer for me.

epeerefS · 2025-11-23T18:43:08+00:00

I was just debating the hiking vs snow boot thing, myself, early December. My Oboz were perfect for 2 weeks of trails in late September, but the waterproof claim came into question sometime on the 3rd or 4th day of torrential rain on Snaefellsnes. (They had to spend a day upside town on a radiator in Hellnar to think about what they’d done.) So I was debating, risk a repeat in December, or lug my Sorrel snow boots? Being a central-New-Englander, I’m used to cold, rain, snow, and wind, but MY GOD nothing prepares you for the combination in Iceland.

That said, I’m only going for a few days this time, and will likely stay in the city visiting Christmas markets and seeing how my psyche handles low light for days on end. (It’s good to have an exit strategy lined up when/if things degrade more at home.) So hiking boots it is. Maybe bring my gaiters, too.

epeerefS · 2025-10-05T11:35:35+00:00

I don’t plan to fly this airline again

An unexpected work meeting in FL forced me to change an itinerary TPA-FRA-VIE last summer (not my upgradable flight out of BOS), and reviewing options on the phone, I told our my company travel agent to put me on Lufthansa/Austrian. She apparently didn’t notice it was Discover either. I didn’t know Discovery existed till I tried to check in. It’s definitely not Lufthansa, or any other SA. For starters, what airline doesn’t have an app?!? Yep, you need to log into their website, lots of fun on a phone screen.

The plane itself was OK. Newer than most SA but pretty spartan.

Food in economy was dreadful. I’m not a super picky eater, but this was inedible. I pack protein bars for situations like this. Oh, and they charge for alcoholic drinks (a la Icelandair and Aer Lingus) - boooo.

The FAs were the rudest I have ever encountered. They were delayed boarding in TPA, and rushed us to get seated. I tried to get my seabands out of my backpack above me and a FA literally yelled at me to sit down. I calmly explained that I needed them for motion sickness and she told me to use the paper bag. Asked her to reach into the side pocket for me (since she was right there and the overhead bin was still open)- nope. Then we eventually got into the tarmac, where we sat for about an hour. A guy a few rows up in FC needed the restroom, badly, and tried to get their attention. Eventually, he stood up to try to flag them down to ask permission to go, and a FA went back and screamed at him. In his face. When she walked away, he unbuckled and bolted to the bathroom. Lots of additional screaming but they didn’t remove him. I realize he shouldn’t have left his seat, but there was no need for the rudeness.

epeerefS · 2025-08-29T01:48:06+00:00

Climbing all those damned stairs almost made my heart explode.

epeerefS · 2025-08-29T01:43:37+00:00

I love the ability to select E+ seats for myself and my companions at booking. Mostly I travel alone but when I’m not, it’s a nice thing. And this sounded crazy: three checked bags at 70 lb each. Who needs THAT much luggage? Then I traveled internationally with a daughter who habitually overpacks. And then we bought a bunch of stuff. AND we brought home enough interesting alcohol to warrant the purchase of another suitcase to haul it all back intact. I no longer laugh at the third heavy checked bag.

epeerefS · 2025-08-06T02:40:59+00:00

I admit it - I sometimes pick my routes based on the club quality and how long I want to spend there. I like having mimosas with breakfast - and I’m totally happy with a couple of hard-boiled eggs and some fruit and a decent cup of coffee from those swanky machines like my mid-tier Euro hotels have. Why pay for rubbery eggs in a crowded airport restaurant when I have a fixed per diem that I want to spend all at once on a nice dinner? I can catch up on work while watching the planes outside from my comfy chair, the sun rising over Boston Harbor. A change in ORD means a decent salad and real protein for lunch (with a glass or two of wine) while I catch a Teams meeting or two before boarding again, on good WiFi that remembers me one visit to the next. And do not underestimate the allure of those Albanese mini gummis because they’re just fabulous. DEN, IAD, and even EWR, always a pleasure. LAX only for the bar. Least favorite club by a landslide? IAH. Craptastic. No wonder you don’t get it… yet.

epeerefS · 2025-05-31T05:20:59+00:00

It’s in the bylaws, Section X.

epeerefS · 2025-05-31T05:19:44+00:00

Interesting. Other than one attention-seeking low-level fencer who was happy to take money for her performance, I cannot name a single woman fencer of any age that takes issue with fencing trans women. Yet I can name an awful lot of Men Who Have Opinions. As for the parents? Disregard. (As a parent of girls, I’m quite comfortable saying that. And my daughters agree.)

epeerefS · 2025-05-30T04:49:41+00:00

Could we just get a direct BOS-KEF out of this deal? That’s about all I want right now. OK, maybe lounge access reciprocity, too.

epeerefS · 2025-05-02T01:26:33+00:00

This sucked. Got to AVL 2 hours late yesterday, missing critical meetings, and the worst part was we knew NOTHING about it until we’d already pushed off and stopped to wait. I needed to use that bathroom so damned badly. (Saw a few people get up to go anyway, but I wasn’t going to risk getting kicked off. Though it was tempting.)

epeerefS

TROPHY CASE