076: Leave the Raft Behind

On volcanoes, Emily Wilson's translation of the Odyssey, life-rafts, and the vast gap between dreams and reality

I made the first booking on December 19th, the day after a volcanic eruption broke through the fissure at the Sundhnúkur crater chain north of Grindavík, Iceland.

I’ve wanted to go back to Iceland ever since last year’s magical trip. Then, on December 18th, the images of lava boiling out of the earth into the unlimited Icelandic night started popping up on X.

I sent a few links to a friend, pretty much knowing what he would say.

with love and respect you have to stop being
tentative and just get on planes

I don’t have that kind of bank account

how about a bank account of memories of the
earth exploding with lava

I booked the flights.

I booked two AirBnB experiences, as well: a northern lights tour in a “super jeep” and a volcanic hike with a geologist near the 2021 eruption at the Fagradalsfjall site. The…