Page 14 of Secret Nights and Northern Lights
“Shouldn’t you get some rest?” Ben asks. “It’ll be eighta.m.Reykjavík time when we land, and we have a full schedule.”
A lesser-realized truth about the glamorous life of a travel writer is that we’re there to cover an assignment, not gallivant around at a leisurely pace as if it’s our own personal vacation. This is work. We’re there to learn the facts, see the sights, and quickly move to the next excursion. “I can’t rest. Other than glancing at our itinerary in my email, I’ve done exactly zero prep work. But you should sleep. One of us should be rested.”
“Ha,” he barks. “You think I’m going tosleepon this death tube hurtling through the sky?”
Smirking, I assess him. “Benjamin Carter—afraid of flying. I never would’ve guessed.”
He returns my smirk. “Mona Miller—more judgy than I recall.”
My attention is pulled to the beverage cart slowly making its way down the aisle, steered by a redheaded flight attendant witha bright smile, a fancy updo, and a set of hawkish eyes firmly attached to Ben’s face—which, understandable, it is a very good face. Eventually reaching our row, she asks in a saccharine voice, “Can I get either of you something to drink?”
Before Ben replies, I say, “Nothing for me, but he’ll take something strong. Whiskey preferably.” There, peace offering extended. So far, I’m nailing being back to affable Mona on the first hour of this flight.
The attendant begins riffling through the cart’s drawers with the earnestness of someone retrieving a fire extinguisher if the plane had just burst into flames. Although I suppose I shouldn’t think about fires and planes unless I want to end up in the same state as Ben. Once he has his stiff drink and not one, but two, packs of pretzels, the attendant reluctantly moves on, but not before pointing out the call button and letting Ben know that if he needs anything elseat allnot to hesitate to use it.
Diverting my focus back to my laptop, I open Suki’s email and click on the attached ten-day itinerary and start perusing. We’ll be driving Ring Road around the entire country, starting in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital city and home to over sixty percent of the country’s total population. Although we’ll be staying in hotels and not roughing it in camper vans like many tourists choose to do—bless Sukiforeverfor that decision—we’ll be constantly on the move, never staying in one town for more than a night or two. In addition to the loads of walking, hiking, and climbing I’m definitely not prepared for, there will bea lotof time spent in the rental car.
Just the two of us.
Alone.
Ben and me.
Me and Ben.
Cool, cool, cool.
Shaking that thought from my head, I glance over the notes she shared with me.
Suki’s Iceland Itinerary at a Glance
Southwest Iceland
Day 1:
Arrival at Keflavík International Airport
The Blue Lagoon (BIG-TIME jealous over here btw.)
Drive to Reykjavík and explore Hallgrímskirkja and Rainbow Street
Day 2:
The Golden Circle: Start in Þingvellir National Park and view the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates
