If, like me, you travel frequently to what might be considered unusual or exotic destinations, it’s likely that sooner or later you’ll run into someone or something that defies logical description.... something that leaves you saying, "Well, maybe...?"
I experienced just such a happening several years ago on the island of Grimsey, about 25 miles north of Iceland, to which it belongs. Grimsey is only about two square miles in size, with fewer than 150 inhabitants. But contrary to its apparent negligible importance, Grimsey has a geographic feature that attracts travel buffs from around the world—the Arctic Circle runs across it, well marked and posted, and an essential photo op for world travelers.
Just having had the opportunity to be photographed on the line and spend one night on the Island’s guest house would have been a tale more than sufficient for dinner party conversation. But there was more.
Also staying at the guest house were several Swiss and German academics. Thinking they were on a study trip, I asked one what they were looking for, but he evaded my question, and I let it drop. That night, just before going to bed, I noticed the professors had all gone out. This was too much to let pass, so I sought out the housekeeper.
"Where have the others gone?" I asked.
"Hunting."
"Hunting what at this time of night?"
"Gremlins. They come each year and spend two nights looking for them."
"And do they find them?"
"No one knows. When you ask any of them if he saw a gremlin, all he’ll say is, ‘Yes, but you have to believe in them in order to see them."
I’ve never seen a gremlin, on Grimsey or anywhere else, have you? In fact, if you’ve had any "strange encounters" on your travels, please share them with us.
Paula "Stuck in three dimensions" Gifford